A list of priority IAS of concern was compiled and distribution records collated to produce up-to-date distribution maps which can be viewed against a range of GIS layers in the National Invasive Species Database (NISD). For the majority of species, all known records are now included in the NISD. Opportunities to integrate IAS into WFD programmes were identified and a series of actions recommended, including the development of an alert list, the inclusion of IAS in monitoring programmes and the development of surveillance, recording and reporting protocols. A guidance note for contributors of IAS records was produced. The integration of the NISD with the Environmental Data Exchange Network (EDEN) will enable the delivery of distribution maps, the identification of range expansions, species alerts and the identification of waterbodies vulnerable to invasion on a river basin district (RBD) level. The impact of two IAS were investigated in two different RBDs, namely, the ecological impacts in Lough Corrib of a species of Lagarosiphon (L. major), an invasive ecosystem engineer, and the ecology of Ireland?s most recent potentially invasive fish, the chub (Leuciscus cephalus) in the River Inny. In Lough Corrib, the macroinvertebrate community structure differed between invaded and native habitats with greater abundance and biomass in Lagarosiphon beds relative to those dominated by native Chara spp. The structure of the macroinvertebrate community also differed, with an increased abundance of invasive invertebrates, such as the zebra mussel, in the invaded habitats. While many non-native species have negligible negative effects, some cause significant economic and ecological impacts, including reductions in biodiversity, the decline of commercially important species and the alteration of ecosystems and ecosystem services. When these non-native species become established in existing ecosystems and threaten biodiversity and/or result in economic damage, they are referred to as "invasive alien species" (IAS). IAS are regarded as the second most serious cause of biodiversity loss and environmental change worldwide, affecting freshwater ecosystems in particular because of their isolation and endemism. IAS have an impact on the ecosystem processes that are fundamental to human well-being, including the wholesale loss or alteration of goods (e.g. fisheries) and services (e.g. clean and plentiful drinking water, culture and recreation). Less diverse ecosystems, such as those that naturally occur on islands, are particularly susceptible to invasion and damage following the introduction and establishment of IAS. Ireland, owing to its glacial history and location on the western extreme of Europe, is naturally depauperate in terms of its flora and fauna, and has repeatedly undergone invasion by a wide range of taxa, to the extent that many of its freshwater ecosystems are now dominated by IAS. The presence of these IAS in ecosystems can affect the ability of agencies or managers to maintain or improve ecological quality and halt degradation of ecosystem services. This has clear implications for the management of aquatic ecosystems and for the attainment of good ecological status under the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

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Maguire, C. Maggs, C.   "Alien Invasive Species in Irish Water Bodies". Associated datasets and digitial information objects connected to this resource are available at: Secure Archive For Environmental Research Data (SAFER) managed by Environmental Protection Agency Ireland https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/resource?id=2cdc4681-2bc8-11e1-ad3d-005056ae0019 (Last Accessed: 2025-01-24)

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=257
Resource Keywords	Alien Invasive Species in Irish Water Bodies
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2007-W-MS-2-S1
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Water Quality
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	2
Project Start Date	Monday 1st January 2007 (01-01-2007)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 1st January 2007 (01-01-2007)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Wednesday 1st December 2010 (01-12-2010)
Published on SAFER	Wednesday 21st December 2011 (21-12-2011)
Date of Last Edit	Wednesday 21st December 2011 at 11:42:11 (21-12-2011)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Wednesday 21st December 2011 at 11:42:11 (21-12-2011)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
The research concentrated on the island of Ireland. The research on the ecological impacts of Lagarosiphon in Lough Corrib and chub in the River Inny has increased understanding of the impacts of these species and their interactions with native communities and other nonnative species. It has also demonstrated new ways to measure impacts. In Ireland, the practical management of introduced species is challenging because of the cross-border implications of controlling introductions and spread (Stokes et al., 2006). Ireland, due to its glacial history and location on the western extreme of Europe, is naturally depauperate in terms of its flora and fauna, and has repeatedly undergone invasion by a wide range of taxa, to the extent that many of its freshwater ecosystems are now dominated by IAS. The presence of these IAS in ecosystems can affect the ability of agencies or managers to maintain or improve ecological quality and halt degradation of ecosystem services. This has clear implications for the management of aquatic ecosystems under the WFD

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