Invasive alien species

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main causes of biodiversity loss in the world. Furthermore, their presence can alter the biological, hydromorphological and physicochemical conditions of the public hydraulic domain, but what are they and what effects do they have on ecosystems?

Learn about the main IAS that affect the Segura Basin

IAS act as an agent of change and threat to biological diversity either due to their invasive behavior, displacing native species from the ecosystem, competing for resources or even being predators. They can also be a source of genetic contamination or the transmission of new diseases.

Percasol Lepomis gibbosus. Author: Jaime L. Fraile (CHS)

Spain has a Spanish Catalog of Invasive Exotic Species that includes those that are, or may become, a serious threat to native species, habitats or ecosystems, agronomy, or to the economic resources associated with the use of natural heritage.

The Catalog is under continuous review and its latest update includes almost 200 species including fungi, algae, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, etc.

Zebra mussel larva (Dreissena polymorpha) in the Talave reservoir. Author: Imanol Cia, 2022

In the following link you can view a map of the Iberian Peninsula with the detected IAS. The work has been carried out by Cedex (Center for Studies and Experimentation of Works) based on existing bibliographic citations and is fed by the data that the hydrographic confederations send it.

Below are some more recent reports carried out by the Hydrographic Confederation regarding the IAS present in the basin.

Invasive alien species

Zebra mussel and asian clam

Species detected in the Monitoring Programs