Link to USGS home page.
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

Strategic Directions for Invasive Species Research at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2005-3153

ONLINE ONLY

This report is available as a pdf.


Considerable increases in the rates of invasion by aquatic species and a lack of viable control options present decision makers with few management options. To meet the need for a more comprehensive program addressing the establishment, spread, and effects of aquatic invasive species in the Midwest, a number of scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) are refocusing their research efforts on aquatic invasive species based on UMESC personnel, facility assets, and resource management needs.

Identifying Resource Management Needs

Research directions for UMESC on aquatic invasive species were identified in a strategic plan reviewed by resource managers and other interested parties at a 2004 UMESC-sponsored workshop. Top research priorities identified at the workshop include conducting risk assessments to prevent new introductions, developing tools to respond rapidly to new introductions, assessing the effects of new invaders, and developing new control expanding and diversifying research in aquatic invasive species.

MAP
The USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center is in the heart of two major freshwater ecosystems plagued by a host of aquatic invasive species.

Invasive Species Research Directions

Over the next 5 years, we will direct invasive species research at the UMESC on the following activities:

Preventing the Introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species: Developing tools to aid managers in preventing the introduction of aquatic invasive species in the United States.

Early Detection, Rapid Response, and Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species: Use current expertise at the UMESC to provide science support for managers to eradicate newly reported aquatic invasive species and to predict their potential spread in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins.

Science Support for Monitoring Aquatic Invasive Species: Improve and refine methods used by managers to monitor expanding populations of aquatic invasive species in the Upper Mississippi River System

Ecology and Effects of Aquatic Invasive Species: Study the ecology of and identify and quantify the effects of harmful aquatic invasive species on native ecosystems and their components in the Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi River basins

Control and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species: Work with managers to develop, improve, and implement an integrated approach (physical, chemical, and biological control methods) for controlling aquatic invasive species to allow restoration and management of native species and ecosystem function

National Aquatic Invasive Species Issues

Interest is growing in predicting the identity, distribution, and effects of potential aquatic invasive species, and UMESC has capabilities in these areas. For example, we have developed a risk assessment for bighead and silver carp and have completed a major effort with the Bureau of Reclamation to examine the use of taxon-specific chemicals and integrated control of invasive fishes in the Southwest. Also, UMESC scientists will continue to provide leadership by serving on the Asian Carp Working Group of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, Risk Assessment Advisory Panel of the National Invasive Species Council, and the Mississippi River Basin Panel on ANS, as well as to address issues related to other nuisance aquatic invasives such as the snakehead.

SIVER CARP FISH
Silver carp have been found in the Upper Mississippi River basin since 1983. They pose danger to boaters and anglers because they respond to boat motor vibrations by leaping several feet out of the water (photograph: R. Nelson).

Aquatic Invasive Species Issues in Proximity

The UMESC is located on the Mississippi River and is close to the Great Lakes, both highly invaded ecosystems that have undergone negative ecological and economical changes because of invasive species. More than 170 aquatic species have arrived through a variety of biological and physical pathways to become established in these ecosystems. Research on invasive species at the UMESC will focus on preventing further introductions, examining early detection and monitoring methods, determining the effects of established invaders, and the management and control of invasive species in this region.

Assets and Capabilities for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species research capabilities at UMESC include:

Dedicated Research Staff

Jeffrey Rach, M.S. Research Fishery Biologist: Toxicity studies, chemical control, integrated pest management of aquatic species

Michael Boogaard, M.S. Biologist: Toxicity studies, chemical control, rapid response and integrated pest management of aquatic invasive species

Terrance Hubert, Ph.D. Chemist: Pheromones, analytical chemistry, chemical control, integrated pest management, regulatory affairs

Jane Rivera, B.S. Biologist: Regulatory affairs, toxicity studies


This report is available as a pdf. (1.1 MB)

This report requires the Adobe Reader® to view (version 5 or higher preferred). If you do not have the Adobe Reader, it is available for free download from Adobe Systems, Inc.

Document Accessibility: Adobe Systems, Inc. has information about PDFs and the visually impaired. This information provides tools to help make PDF files accessible. These tools convert Adobe PDF documents into HTML or ASCII text, which then can be read by screen-reading programs that synthesize text as audible speech. In addition, a version of Adobe Reader that contains support for screen readers is available. The conversion tools and the accessible reader may be obtained free from Adobe through their conversion tools Web site.


For more information contact

Jeffrey Rach
U.S. Geological Survey
Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
2630 Fanta Reed Road
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
Telephone: 608-781-6322
E-Mail: jrach@usgs.gov
http://www.umesc.usgs.gov

For information about water-resource studies in the State of Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, please visit our Web site at http://www.umesc.usgs.gov.





FirstGov button  Take Pride in America button