Civil engineers develop crab trap in Dresden - CLANCY project researches the distribution of the Chinese mitten crab

As part of the international research project CLANCY, civil engineers in Dresden are developing a special crab trap to detect and study the Chinese mitten crab(Eriocheir sinensis). This alien species has been spreading across river systems such as the Elbe for years and its invasive behavior can permanently change biocoenoses and hydro-morphodynamic characteristics in coastal and inland waters.

© Torsten Heyer

The aim of the CLANCY project is to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in the North Sea region, in particular by researching ways of managing the Chinese mitten crab. To this end, partner institutions from Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are working closely together.

A central component of the project is the installation of crab traps at various locations, each of which is adapted to local conditions. The focus of the work in Dresden is on investigating the rheotactic behavior of the Chinese mitten crab. This describes the movement of the animals along currents and is crucial for recognizing preferred migration paths or identifying possible hydraulic barriers.

The traps developed at the Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Technical Hydromechanics (IWD) will provide valuable data on the behavior and spread of the neozoa in the future. The aim is to work with all project partners to develop scientifically sound management guidelines that can be applied across all regions. Close cooperation with practical partners is an essential part of the project.