Aspects of the population ecology of the Spinycheek Crayfish Faxonius limosus in a lowland river ecosystem in northern Belgium

Invasive crayfish can have severe impacts on aquatic ecosystems, especially on water quality and aquatic macrophytes. The Spinycheek Crayfish (Faxonius limosus) occurs in Belgium since 1962 and is currently widely distributed and the most common crayfish species. We investigated 4 different lowland rivers in northern Belgium on the presence of the Spinycheek Crayfish. Here we present some aspects on the population ecology of the species and compare catch efficiency of two different trap types. Finally, this should contribute to an appropriate methodology to estimate population densities and to assess possible impacts.