ICPDR Logo
Help Contact us Log in Sitemap
Recommend Font smaller Font larger

The Danube River is rapidly being colonised by new non-native species, due to the increasing interconnection of various European and global water bodies by canals and other waterways designed to facilitate navigation. It is currently believed that alien species are very likely to become even more significant in the future, as the importance of the Danube as an international waterway increases.

The Danube and its tributaries are being colonised by non-native species, (such as the zebra mussla Dreissena polymorpha, the river nerite Theodoxus fluviatilis, or the Asian clam  Corbicula flumines) due to the increasing interconnection of various European water bodies by canals and other waterways designed to facilitate inland navigation across the continent. The increased volume of intercontinental shipping has also facilitated the establishment of several exotic animal species from still further afield.

Did you know?

Factors influencing the spread of new species

  • Hydrological engineering works
  • Increasing traffic along shipping routes
  • Artificial introduction of non-native species
  • Natural colonisation processes due to the ability of an invasive species to spread 

It is still difficult to assess all the potential pressures and impacts resulting from the invasions of these alien species. However, alien species are very likely to become even more significant in the future, as the importance of the Danube as an international waterway increases.

The Danube River Basin Managment Plan, whcih will be available by the end of 2009, includes also a chapter on invaseve species. A draft is currently available.

According to research of the UBA Austria "Neobiota in Austria", relatively few of the region’s invasive species cause any serious ecological problems in river floodplain forests and wetland areas nearby rivers.

Disclaimer

The information contained in the ICPDR website is intended to enhance public access to information about the ICPDR and the Danube River. The information is correct to the best of the knowledge of the ICPDR Secretariat. If errors are brought to our attention we will try to correct them.
The ICPDR, expert group members, nor other parties involved in preparation of information contained on this website cannot, however, be held responsible for the correctness and validity of the data and information provided, nor accept responsibility or liability for damages or losses arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information conveyed therein.
Only those documents clearly marked ICPDR documents reflect the position of the ICPDR.
Any links to other websites are provided for your convenience only. The ICPDR does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, availability, or appropriateness to the user's purposes, of any information or services on any other website.
When using the information and material provided on this website, credit should be given to the ICPDR.

   
   
© ICPDR
Last Edit: 2009-07-29