Prevention and Control Actions

The GuardIAS project is managing an expanding population moving from Northern France into Belgium. Because the species was only discovered in Belgium five years ago, there is still a high chance of successful eradication.

• Advanced eDNA Detection: Researchers are developing a specialised multimarker eDNA barcoding protocol to improve detection sensitivity and eDNA quantification accuracy. This high-tech strategy allows teams to precisely identify breeding ponds even when frogs are hiding underwater.
• Site Prioritization: Environmental DNA (eDNA) concentrations are used to select specific breeding ponds for management and to evaluate the success of control efforts afterward, judging from the difference in X. laevis eDNA concentrations after and before treatment.
• Eradication Methods: Management includes trapping as well as quicklime application. This involves temporarily raising a pond’s pH level to remove the invasive frogs; the pH naturally resets to neutral over time, allowing the ecosystem to recover. Preliminary evidence shows quickliming can completely remove a X. laevis population. However, because landowners needed access to their ponds, associated amphibian fences had to be removed three months following treatment, enabling X. laevis recolonisation.
• Landowner Cooperation: Since many affected ponds are on agricultural land, the project works closely with local farmers to explain the ecological importance of these actions and gain access to sites. Earlier research has shown that restricted access can severely undermine regional eradication programmes.