Recent invasion of Ponto-Caspian amphipods in the Masurian Lakeland associated with human leisure activities

Abstract

Non-indigenous species (NIS) contribute to the decrease of native species’ diversity on a local and global scale. One of Europe’s most significant donors of freshwater invasions is the Ponto-Caspian Region. Following the construction of artificial canals connecting isolated waterbodies and the resulting heavy boat traffic, the Ponto-Caspian Amphipoda started to spread in Europe. Four amphipod species: Dikerogammarus haemobaphes, Dikerogammarus villosus, Pontogammarus robustoides and Chaetogammarus ischnus have invaded the Masurian Lakeland (North-eastern Poland). Based on literature and our data, we studied their distribution in 22 lakes in the region during the years 2001–2016. We analysed their distribution against several water quality parameters and levels of anthropogenic pressure. Our results also present the first records of two new invaders, D. villosus and C. ischnus, in the studied area. We show that the relative abundance and frequency of these two species rapidly increase and, simultaneously, the populations of the earlier invaders, i.e. D. haemobaphes and P. robustoides, decrease. The native species – Gammarus lacustris – seems to be negatively affected by NIS richness, as well as by the proximity of towns. The spread of NIS in the lakes appears to be facilitated by boating and the lower complexity of the shoreline. Our study shows how anthropogenic pressure, especially tourism, can facilitate bioinvasion, jeopardising native biodiversity unless appropriate regulations are implemented.