Thousands of new species discovered in island

Results from a survey of Guernsey's freshwater habitats have been called "nothing short of incredible" as they reveal thousands of new species to the island.

The project from Guernsey Water and the Guernsey Nature Commission used environmental DNA to look for genetic traces left behind by organisms in the water.

The survey detected 2,630 organisms across 36 different groups, 2,249 of which had not been previously been recorded in the Guernsey Biological Records Database.

Water quality scientist Tim Harris said the findings were "nothing short of incredible" and provided the "most accurate record of what's in local waters ever undertaken."

Samples were collected from 26 locations including 15 streams, nine ponds and two brackish water habitats.

Laboratory analysis identified DNA associated with a wide range of life, including amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, algae, plants, invertebrates and microorganisms.

European eel, brown rat and American signal crayfish DNA was also discovered.

"The results have blown us away and frankly we can't quite believe what they've told us," said Harris.

"To have more than 2,000 new detections that no one knew about represents a step-change in our understanding of just what's on Guernsey.

"We're performing a second set of samples soon to make sure all the findings can be confirmed. But to say I am astounded would be an understatement."

Harris said the survey would offer a baseline for use in monitoring change, support conservation activity and improve understanding of potential water-quality risks.

Nature Commission ecologist Charlotte Burgoine said the results would contribute records to the biological database, "filling a big data gap", once a second round of sampling was complete.

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