Invasive Alien Species in Belgium: Elodea canadensis

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Elodea canadensis - Canadian waterweed

DAISIE

Synonym:	Anacharis canadensis
French name:	Elodée du canada
Dutch name:	Canadese waterpest
Family:	Hydrocharitaceae

Group:	Vascular plants
Origin:	North America
Habitat:	freshwater
Introduction:	aquariums and ponds

ISEIA Score : 12

Naturalization in Belgium

First observation in the wild:	1860
Invasion stage:	regression
Spatial distribution:	widespread

Invasiveness

Reproduction in the wild:	yes
Dispersion potential:	high
Natural habitats:	high

More on invasiveness: Elodea canadensis thrives in various types of freshwater habitats, from still to slow-flowing systems and from very shallow to deep waters. It is most frequent in clear, nutrient-rich and alkaline waters. Elodea aggressively invaded the waterways of Europe in the 19th Century. After spectacular vigour and dispersal, there was a subsequent decline and replacement by other non-native water weeds. But new invasions and explosive growth are still occurring in some parts of Europe.

Distribution in Belgium

Established populations Biogeographic areas where the species is known to be established in the wild

	absent from district
	isolated populations (1-5 localities per district)
	widespread (>5 localities per district)

Endangered areas Biogeographic areas including Natura 2000 habitats that are likely to be invaded by the species (occurence of dense populations)

Biogeographic areas including Natura 2000 habitats that are likely to be invaded by the species (occurence of dense populations)

	low risk
	medium risk
	high risk

Endangered Natura 2000 habitats (

freshwater habitats:

3130 3150 3260

Impacts on Species

Predation / Herbivory:	low
Competition:	high
Disease transmission:	low
Genetic effects:	low

Impacts on Ecosystems

Nutrient cycling:	high
Physical alteration:	high
Natural successions:	likely
Food web alteration:	low

More on impacts: As observed for most non-native Hydrocharitaceae species, this submerged perennial aquatic plant makes dense monospecific populations which often colonise all of water bodies, restrict water movement, cut off light, produce anoxic conditions and trap sediments in the system. Canadian waterweed has been reported to outcompete native aquatic plants. Dense beds provide a poor habitat for aquatic animals. They interfere with recreation activities and increase the risk of adjacent land flooding.

Data Source & References

Authors:	Branquart Etienne, Stiers Iris, Triest Ludwig, Vanderhoeven Sonia, Van Landuyt Wouter, Van Rossum Fabienne, Verloove Filip
Published on:	22 November 2007
Last update:	14 December 2010

References:

Barrat-Segretain, M.H. (2004)

Growth of Elodea canadensis and E. nuttallii in monocultures and mixture under different light and nutrient conditions.

Arch. Hydrobiol. 161: 133-144.

Bowmer, K.H., Jacobs, S.W.L. & Sainty, G.R. (1995)

Identification, Biology and Management of Elodea canadensis, Hydrocharitaceae.

Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 33: 13-19.

CPS-SKEW (2006)

Elodea canadensis & Elodea nuttallii

From online fact sheets of the Swiss Commission for Wild Plants Conservation

Centre for Aquatic Plant Management (2004)

Information sheet 7: Canadian waterweed.

Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

Denys, L., Packet, J. & Van Landuyt, W. (2004)

Neofyten in het Vlaamse water : signalement van vaste waarden en rijzende sterren.

Natuur.focus 3(4): 120128.

Erhard, D. & Gross, E.M. (2006)

Allelopathic activity of Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii against epiphytes and phytoplankton.

Aquatic Botany 85: 203-211.

Essl, F. & Rabitsch, W. (2003)

Neobiota in Osterreich.

Umweltbundesamt, 432 pp.

Lambinon, J., Delvosalle, L. & Duvigneaud, J. (2004)

Nouvelle fore de la Belgique, du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg, du Nord de la France et des régions voisines.

Editions du Patrimoine du Jardin botanique national de Belgique, Meise.

Larson, D. & Willen, E. (2007)

The relationship between biodiversity and invasibility in central Swedish lakes invaded by Elodea species.

In: F. Gherardi (Ed.), Biological invaders in inland waters: profiles, distribution and threats, Springer: 423-433.

Muller, S. (2004)

Plantes invasives en France : état des connaissances et propositions d'actions.

Publication scientifique du Museum d'Histoire naturelle, Patrimoines naturels n°62.

Simpson, D.A. (1990)

Displacement of Elodea canadensis Michx. by Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St. John in the British Isles.

Watsonia 18: 173-177.

Spicer, K.W. & Catling, P.M. (1988)

The biology of Canadian weeds. 88. Elodea canadensis Michx.

Canadian Journal of Plant Science 68:1035-1051

Thiébaut, G. (2007)

Non-indigenous aquatic and semiaquatic plant species in France.

In: F. Gherardi (Ed.), Biological invaders in inland waters: profiles, distribution and threats, Springer: 209-229.

Thiébaut, G. (2005)

Does competition for phosphate supply explain the invasion pattern of Elodea species?

Water research 39: 3385-3393.

Toussaint, B. & Bedouet, F. (2005)

Les espèces végétales invasives des milieux aquatiques et humides du bassin Artois-Picardie.

Agence de l'Eau Artois-Picardie, 38 pp.

Van Landuyt, W., Hoste, I., Vanhecke, L., Van den Bremt, P. Vercruysse, W. & De Beer, D. (2006)

Atlas van de Flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels gewest.

Nationale Plantentuin en het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek i.s.m. Flo.Wer vzw.

Verloove, F. (2006)

Catalogue of the Neophytes in Belgium (1800-2005).

Scripta Botanica Belgica 39, 89 pp.

Wittenberg, R. (2005)

An inventory of alien species and their threat to biodiversity and economy in Switzerland.

CABI Bioscience Switzerland Centre report to the Swiss Agency for Environment, Forests and Landscape. The environment in practice no. 0629: 155p.