Biodiversity challenge: The goal of this study was to examine the implications of the regulation on Invasive Alien Species (IAS) for practical management in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, in the context of existing environmental commitments under EU legislation.

Context: Lough Erne sustains multiple competing activities, each with different demands from the system in terms of ecosystem services and physical resources. Lough Erne is a heavily modified water body, containing a range of non-native species following a long history of introducing new fish and other plants and animals.  In recent times there has been an invasion and proliferation of the Nutall’s Pond Weed (Elodea nutalli), which is listed as an Invasive Alien Species of Union Concern. This new arrival is able to colonise deeper areas of the Lough and has clogged many areas of the lake, interfering with popular recreational activities, in particular boating. Managing Elodea while meeting the needs of competing users requires consensus on ecosystem boundaries and effective cross border cooperation.

What was done? The case study brought together a range of stakeholders from public service and NGOs, both north and south of the Northern Irish/Republic of Ireland border in a series of workshops. Mental models called “Fuzzy Cognitive Maps” of the Erne system were developed based on stakeholder inputs and were used to infer system behaviour.  The models predict a likely decline in future water quality related to agricultural activities in the catchment. GIS models were used to map the impacts of altering lake levels on agricultural production in areas adjacent to the lake.

Results: Stakeholder views, combined with model outputs were used to identify a range of possible management options.  One set of measures involved alteration of the lake levels to enable recreational boating, but also leading to a potential loss to agriculture in terms of inundated land, which we evaluated and costed. Agricultural nutrient management measures to reduce proliferation of the weed were also evaluated. The potential costs of conducting these measures were assessed and presented to stakeholders for feedback and comparison.

Lessons learned for managing biodiversity: The case study revealed the importance of considering the interconnections between policies. Potential solutions to the problem of Invasive Alien Species in Lough Erne will affect achievement of Water Framework Directive goals, as well as obligations under the regulation on IAS. At the same time, these goals cannot be considered in isolation from the overall driver of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Applicability of results: The case study provided a range of potential practical solutions to the problem of Elodea in Lough Erne, implementation of these solutions will require continued North South cooperation as well as consideration of trade-offs and development of consensus on the best approach for the area.

Lead partner organisation: University College Cork, National University of Ireland is leading the research in the case study.

Cooperating partner: Northern Ireland Department for Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs (DAERA). The Water Unit of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is a cooperating partner for Case Study 4: Management and impact of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Lough Erne in Ireland. DAERA is a devolved Northern Irish government department in the Northern Ireland Executive. Until 2016 the department was called the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. It has since been changed to also include the environment within its work remit. On this case study, DAERA is working closely with Waterways Ireland to ensure the sustainable management of Lough Erne particularly in light of invasive alien species and forecasted risks due to climate change and other activities within the catchment. DAERA and Case Study Four are represented on the SPBTT by Kerry Anderson.