National Alert Risk Mapper for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species

The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database and Alert System (https://nas.er.usgs.gov/default.aspx) provides a framework for the rapid dissemination of new invasions as they are incorporated into the NAS Database. The system notifies registered users of new sightings of >1,330 non-native aquatic species as part of national-scale early detection and rapid response systems (EDRR), and in support of several federal programs: National Invasive Species Council, Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, and other Department of the Interior agencies. The NAS group has developed a new tool, the Alert Risk Mapper (ARM; https://nas.er.usgs.gov/AlertSystem/default.aspx), to characterize river reaches, lakes, and other waterbodies at potential risk of invasion from a new nonindigenous species sighting from NAS Alerts for the contiguous U.S. (U.S.) and Hawaii. The ARM tool is used to assess the short-term risk, within six months, of a nonindigenous species possible invasion of new waterbodies. The risk assessment is species-specific and utilizes a nonindigenous species current range and development of credible scenarios of its potential movement within a drainage. The at-risk waterbodies are selected to account for the species mobility and directionality of movement (downstream, upstream, or over-land) along with drainage barriers (dams and waterfalls). Each ARM map includes two views, the local view of the highlighted at-risk waterbodies and alert sighting location, and a regional view highlighting the alert sighting location and previous NAS occurrences of the species. The map also includes a data table informing about the NAS Alert sighting. ARM maps accompany the NAS Alert emails sent out to subscribers and managers and are accessible through the NAS Database.

Principal Investigator : Pam Fuller
Co-Investigator : Ian A Pfingsten, Wesley M Daniel, Matthew E Neilson
Cooperator/Partner : Dana Infante, Ballard, James, Arthur Cooper