Parrot’s feather is an attractive but invasive freshwater plant native to South America. Introduced to Europe as an ornamental species, it is now listed as an Invasive Alien Species (IAS) of Union Concern. The plant is unique because it is amphibious, featuring both submerged leaves and emergent ones that grow above the water surface. In Europe, it reproduces asexually, meaning it can spread rapidly from even small plant fragments.
This resilient species thrives in slow-flowing or standing waters such as ditches, ponds, and lakes. It is remarkably tough, capable of withstanding frost, surviving under ice, and even tolerating some saltwater and significant changes in water levels.
The GuardIAS project is focusing its efforts on specific zones in Tuscany, Italy, to better understand and manage this invasion. Work is centered in the ditches surrounding the Lake Porta protected area. Preliminary samplings in invaded and not invaded areas show the reduction in diversity of native plants, and a strict association with the juveniles of the red swamp crayfish, another notable invader.
Università degli Studi di Firenze: Elena Tricarico and Gabriele Cananzi
Case study contacts:
Elena Tricarico, elena.tricarico@unifi.it
“This project is not just about managing invasive species today—it’s about developing a proactive approach that anticipates future ecological challenges, ensuring robust ecosystems and sustainable marine environments for generations to come”
“For over 35 years, since I first began studying non-indigenous species, I have dreamed of tools that could reveal the ‘Big Picture’ of the transfer, spread, and impacts of invasive aquatic species. Thanks to advances in new technologies, the GuardIAS project now offers an outstanding opportunity to make that vision a reality.”
Anastasija is a marine scientist with a broad expertise in aquatic ecology, ecology of biological invasions and the development and assessment of molecular tools for monitoring and surveillance.
Anastasija is a co-founder and Lead Scientist of Sequench Ltd (Nelson, New Zealand), specializing in molecular research and services as well as development of optimised sampling solutions for eDNA.
In 2023, she was elected a President of the newly established Southern eDNA Society (SeDNAs), which aims to promote science and industry collaboration to advance best practice eDNA methods and their wider adoption nature research and conservation.
Marine biologist with over 40 years of experience in temperate seas and the Arctic. His research focuses on climate change, human impacts, and the spread of invasive alien species. He has pioneered international tools such as AquaNIS and other information system on IAS, IAS impact assessment and bioinvasion indicators.
