by Louis Alderson-Bythell, Sam Roots, Greg Orrom Swan, and Tashia Tucker

Our project is a biological intervention that helps regulate invasive species within ecosystems. We have began by looking at the UK's inland waterways where the American Signal crayfish has had a devastating effect on British native species of both fish and crayfish, as well as having knock on effects throughout the trophic levels.
We intend to use pheromones as a method of control, as they are highly species specific and often have particular specific behavioural responses. Our outcome has the potential be used as a way to create a sanctuary where native species could reach ecological equilibrium; or attract the crayfish to certain areas for farming; or indeed many other uses recreationally or for quantitive research.