Invasive species are a growing problem, threatening biodiversity and causing irreversible damage to nature. They can contribute to the extinction of species and ultimately affect human well-being.
To strengthen knowledge and maximise opportunities to manage invasive alien plants and animals, the Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment work on this from different perspectives.
Through environmental monitoring, we help to monitor the occurrence and distribution of invasive species throughout Sweden.
We also have staff who research the ecology of invasive species and the effects of invasions on aquatic ecosystems, and modelling the spread of potential of species.
Our competence, knowledge and experiences include:
Modelled risk zones for the invasive zebra mussel. The map is also published in the report Modelling the risks of invasive aquatic species spread in Swedish lakes.
The biological environmental monitoring of Swedish freshwater contains observations of alien species. These observations are recorded in our database and can be used to analyse the consequences of invasions and the potential for spread.
Diving inventory of zebra mussels in Lake Mälaren. This is a method that can be used to learn about the size of mussel populations. Photo: Anna Wemming.
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Dreissena polymorpha photographed during a dive survey. Photo: Anna Wemming.
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Eurasian watermilfoil (Elodea canadensis) and narrow watermilfoil (E. nuttallii) are two species of watermilfoil found in Swedish lakes. Photo: Kristina Tattersdill.
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The water plague (Elodea canadensis) was discovered in Sweden in the 1870s. The plant can form thick mats on shallow bottoms in lakes. Photo: Kristina Tattersdill.
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For more information about the species we have studied, please see the Swedish version of this web page.
The European Network on Invasive Alien Species (NOBANIS)
Information from Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management on invasive species (in Swedish)
Please see the Swedish version of this web page for links to some other departments and collaborative centres at SLU that also work with invasive species.