Description
LIFE+ TEN project: species protection demonstration action - safeguarding native crayfish populations
The species
The crayfish(Austropotamobius pallipes) is a Crustacean of Community interest that lives in the fresh waters of north-eastern Italy. In Trentino, until the relatively recent past, it was widespread and common throughout the surface water reticulum at medium-low altitudes.
The problem
Trentino's crayfish populations have undergone a significant contraction in their distribution area, aggravated by their impoverishment. There are several reasons for this
- water pollution
- the concretisation of minor watercourses,
- the appearance of pathologies such as the fungus Aphanomyces astaci
- and, above all, the progressive expansion of American and Asian species of crayfish, which, in addition to transmitting diseases hardly tolerated by the latter to our crayfish, have proved to be very aggressive competitors.
Objective of the action
The protection action will be localised in ditches in the Adige Valley, between Zambana and Mezzolombardo, and in Lake Costa, near Pergine Valsugana. In Val d'Adige the quantity of water will be regularised in order to reduce the stress for the animals caused by changes in the water level. In Lake Costa, on the other hand, the American crayfish population will be eradicated and native crayfish will be released.
Finally, an information campaign on the subject will be carried out for fishermen.
Expected results:
- Protection of two important residual populations of crayfish.
Documentation