Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program Active
Lake Trout
Glacier National Park
New Zealand Mud Snails
Redwood National Park
American Bullfrogs
Yellowstone River Basin
Northern Pike
Southcentral Alaska
Chytrid Fungus
Montana
Researchers at the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center's Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program work extensively with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local partners to deliver science to improve early detection and prevention of invasive species and disease; understand complex interactions that promote invasive species and disease, and their impacts (and associated uncertainties); develop robust models to predict invasion risk, spread and vulnerability for planning and mitigation; and deliver decision support tools to help stakeholders prevent, prepare, and manage invasive species and disease across the West. NOROCK has extensive experience collaborating with resource managers across diverse ecosystems ranging from arid lands, to mountainous landscapes, to alpine environments throughout the western United States, including Alaska.
Invasive species can include plants (Eurasian watermilfoil), animals (quagga mussel), and emerging infectious diseases (amphibian chytrid fungus). Identifying factors associated with invasion dynamics and risks to aquatic ecosystems and economies is critical for (1) prevention and early detection; (2) developing effective mitigation strategies to suppress, eradicate, or arrest further spread of invasive species and disease; and (3) identifying habitats and populations that are vulnerable to invasive species and disease. This work is particularly urgent as invasive species can rapidly expand their ranges or increase disease transmission under shifting climatic conditions, such as periodic drought, in the western United States.
Land and water managers are often overwhelmed with persistent threats and impacts of invasive species and disease on ecologically, economically, and socially important natural resources. Despite considerable monitoring and advances in awareness and prevention of the spread of invasive species and disease, there remains a lack of direct applications where data and information are integrated in a common framework to better understand the processes and impacts of to inform mitigation actions. Development and validation of tools to effectively prioritize management actions is imperative for managers to quickly and cost-effectively combat the ecological and economic threats of invasive species and disease.
Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program
NOROCK conducts applied research and monitoring to improve understanding of invasive species and disease risks and impacts on human and natural systems in the West through coordinated and multidisciplinary data collection, synthesis, analysis, predictions and decision-support generated from multi-agency partnerships. NOROCK’s Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program’s Core Capabilities include:
Data collection and integration
- Monitor invasive species and disease through field-based and molecular (e.g., environmental DNA) data observation and monitoring networks that maximize spatial and temporal coverage
- Develop and advance new invasive monitoring tools and technologies
- Facilitate citizen science for crowdsourced data related to invasive detection
Understanding processes and impacts
- Synthesize large datasets and models to understand invasive drivers, ecosystem responses and interactions with human uses and climatic events, such as extreme drought
- Develop robust models to predict invasion risk and vulnerability for decision making
- Examine and synthesize ecological impacts of invasive species and disease for on-the-ground conservation management
Planning and decision-support
- Predict future invasion risk and vulnerability on species and ecosystems with comprehensive understanding of invasion and disease processes, impacts, and recovery times
- Deliver decision-support guides that link research, monitoring, forecasting and early warning with risk planning and management
- Provide technical assistance to address stakeholders’ needs
- Create and deliver multimedia to communicate with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public
These core capabilities allow NOROCK to assist our management partners in creating information-based frameworks for combating invasive species and disease, and mitigating impacts on livelihoods, ecosystems, and the economy. Prioritizing approaches, populations and landscapes for action will ultimately increase the cost-effectiveness of invasive species and disease management and allow for greater capacity of enhancing ecosystems.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Toxicity of a traditional molluscicide to asian clam veligers
Quantifying the effectiveness of conservation measures to control the spread of anthropogenic hybridization in stream salmonids: A climate adaptation case study
Invasive hybridization in a threatened species is accelerated by climate change
Suppressing bullfrog larvae with carbon dioxide
Asian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing
Environmental DNA as a new method for early detection of New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Factors influencing the distribution of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in western Glacier National Park, Montana
Genomic patterns of introgression in rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout illuminated by overlapping paired-end RAD sequencing
Exotic plant colonization and occupancy within riparian areas of the Interior Columbia River and Upper Missouri River basins, USA
Disease in a dynamic landscape: host behavior and wildfire reduce amphibian chytrid infection
Introduced northern pike predation on salmonids in southcentral Alaska
The effects of pulse pressure from seismic water gun technology on Northern Pike
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Overview
Researchers at the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center's Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program work extensively with federal, state, tribal, regional, and local partners to deliver science to improve early detection and prevention of invasive species and disease; understand complex interactions that promote invasive species and disease, and their impacts (and associated uncertainties); develop robust models to predict invasion risk, spread and vulnerability for planning and mitigation; and deliver decision support tools to help stakeholders prevent, prepare, and manage invasive species and disease across the West. NOROCK has extensive experience collaborating with resource managers across diverse ecosystems ranging from arid lands, to mountainous landscapes, to alpine environments throughout the western United States, including Alaska.
Invasive species can include plants (Eurasian watermilfoil), animals (quagga mussel), and emerging infectious diseases (amphibian chytrid fungus). Identifying factors associated with invasion dynamics and risks to aquatic ecosystems and economies is critical for (1) prevention and early detection; (2) developing effective mitigation strategies to suppress, eradicate, or arrest further spread of invasive species and disease; and (3) identifying habitats and populations that are vulnerable to invasive species and disease. This work is particularly urgent as invasive species can rapidly expand their ranges or increase disease transmission under shifting climatic conditions, such as periodic drought, in the western United States.
Land and water managers are often overwhelmed with persistent threats and impacts of invasive species and disease on ecologically, economically, and socially important natural resources. Despite considerable monitoring and advances in awareness and prevention of the spread of invasive species and disease, there remains a lack of direct applications where data and information are integrated in a common framework to better understand the processes and impacts of to inform mitigation actions. Development and validation of tools to effectively prioritize management actions is imperative for managers to quickly and cost-effectively combat the ecological and economic threats of invasive species and disease.
Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program
NOROCK conducts applied research and monitoring to improve understanding of invasive species and disease risks and impacts on human and natural systems in the West through coordinated and multidisciplinary data collection, synthesis, analysis, predictions and decision-support generated from multi-agency partnerships. NOROCK’s Western Waters Invasive Species and Disease Research Program’s Core Capabilities include:
Data collection and integration
- Monitor invasive species and disease through field-based and molecular (e.g., environmental DNA) data observation and monitoring networks that maximize spatial and temporal coverage
- Develop and advance new invasive monitoring tools and technologies
- Facilitate citizen science for crowdsourced data related to invasive detection
Understanding processes and impacts
- Synthesize large datasets and models to understand invasive drivers, ecosystem responses and interactions with human uses and climatic events, such as extreme drought
- Develop robust models to predict invasion risk and vulnerability for decision making
- Examine and synthesize ecological impacts of invasive species and disease for on-the-ground conservation management
Planning and decision-support
- Predict future invasion risk and vulnerability on species and ecosystems with comprehensive understanding of invasion and disease processes, impacts, and recovery times
- Deliver decision-support guides that link research, monitoring, forecasting and early warning with risk planning and management
- Provide technical assistance to address stakeholders’ needs
- Create and deliver multimedia to communicate with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public
These core capabilities allow NOROCK to assist our management partners in creating information-based frameworks for combating invasive species and disease, and mitigating impacts on livelihoods, ecosystems, and the economy. Prioritizing approaches, populations and landscapes for action will ultimately increase the cost-effectiveness of invasive species and disease management and allow for greater capacity of enhancing ecosystems.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 13 - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 44Toxicity of a traditional molluscicide to asian clam veligers
Aquaculture and hatchery industries are in need of effective control methods to reduce the risk of spreading aquatic invasive species, such as the Asian clam Corbicula fluminea, through aquaculture and hatchery activities. The planktonic nature of Asian clam veligers enables this life stage to enter water-based infrastructure undetected, including hatchery trucks used to stock fish. Once in hatcheAuthorsMegan J. Layhee, Bahram Farokhkish, Jackson A. Gross, Miho Yoshioka, Adam J. SepulvedaQuantifying the effectiveness of conservation measures to control the spread of anthropogenic hybridization in stream salmonids: A climate adaptation case study
Quantifying the effectiveness of management actions to mitigate the effects of changing climatic conditions (i.e., climate adaptation) can be difficult, yet critical for conservation. We used population genetic data from 1984 to 2011 to assess the degree to which ambient climatic conditions and targeted suppression of sources of nonnative Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss have influenced the spreaAuthorsRobert K. Al-Chokhachy, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Matthew Boyer, Leslie A. Jones, Amber Steed, Jeffrey L. KershnerInvasive hybridization in a threatened species is accelerated by climate change
Climate change will decrease worldwide biodiversity through a number of potential pathways1, including invasive hybridization2 (cross-breeding between invasive and native species). How climate warming influences the spread of hybridization and loss of native genomes poses difficult ecological and evolutionary questions with little empirical information to guide conservation management decisions3.AuthorsClint C. Muhlfeld, Ryan P. Kovach, Leslie A. Jones, Robert K. Al-Chokhachy, Matthew C. Boyer, Robb F. Leary, Winsor H. Lowe, Gordon Luikart, Fred W. AllendorfSuppressing bullfrog larvae with carbon dioxide
Current management strategies for the control and suppression of the American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus = Rana catesbeiana Shaw) and other invasive amphibians have had minimal effect on their abundance and distribution. This study evaluates the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) on pre- and prometamorphic Bullfrog larvae. Bullfrogs are a model organism for evaluating potential suppression ageAuthorsMark Abbey-Lambert, Andrew Ray, Megan J. Layhee, Christine L. Densmore, Adam J. Sepulveda, Jackson A. Gross, Barnaby J. WattenAsian carp behavior in response to static water gun firing
The potential for invasion of Asian carp into the Great Lakes has ecological and socio-economic implications. If they become established, Asian carp are predicted to alter lake ecosystems and impact commercial and recreational fisheries. The Chicago Sanitary and Shipping Canal is an important biological conduit between the Mississippi River Basin, where invasive Asian carp are abundant, and the GrAuthorsMegan J. Layhee, Jackson A. Gross, Michael J. Parsley, Jason G. Romine, David C. Glover, Cory D. Suski, Tristany L. Wagner, Adam J. Sepulveda, Robert E. GresswellEnvironmental DNA as a new method for early detection of New Zealand mudsnails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum)
Early detection of aquatic invasive species is a critical task for management of aquatic ecosystems. This task is hindered by the difficulty and cost of surveying aquatic systems thoroughly. The New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) is a small, invasive parthenogenic mollusk that can reach very high population densities and severely affects ecosystem functioning. To assist in the early dAuthorsCaren S. Goldberg, Adam Sepulveda, Andrew Ray, Jeremy A. Baumgardt, Lisette P. WaitsFactors influencing the distribution of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in western Glacier National Park, Montana
The widespread declines of native bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) and westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) populations prompted researchers to investigate factors influencing their distribution and status in western Glacier National Park, Montana. We evaluated the association of a suite of abiotic factors (stream width, elevation, gradient, large woody debris density, pool dAuthorsVincent S. D'Angelo, Clint C. MuhlfeldGenomic patterns of introgression in rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout illuminated by overlapping paired-end RAD sequencing
Rapid and inexpensive methods for genomewide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery and genotyping are urgently needed for population management and conservation. In hybridized populations, genomic techniques that can identify and genotype thousands of species-diagnostic markers would allow precise estimates of population- and individual-level admixture as well as identification of 'superAuthorsPaul A. Hohenlohe, Mitch D. Day, Stephen J. Amish, Michael R. Miller, Nick Kamps-Hughes, Matthew C. Boyer, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Fred W. Allendorf, Eric A. Johnson, Gordon LuikartExotic plant colonization and occupancy within riparian areas of the Interior Columbia River and Upper Missouri River basins, USA
Exotic plant invasions into riparia often result in shifts in vegetative composition, altered stream function, and cascading effects to biota at multiple scales. Characterizing the distribution patterns of exotic plants is an important step in directing targeted research to identify mechanisms of invasion and potential management strategies. In this study, we employed occupancy models to examine tAuthorsRobert K. Al-Chokhachy, Andrew M. Ray, Brett B. Roper, Eric ArcherDisease in a dynamic landscape: host behavior and wildfire reduce amphibian chytrid infection
Disturbances are often expected to magnify effects of disease, but these effects may depend on the ecology, behavior, and life history of both hosts and pathogens. In many ecosystems, wildfire is the dominant natural disturbance and thus could directly or indirectly affect dynamics of many diseases. To determine how probability of infection by the aquatic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)AuthorsBlake R. Hossack, Winsor H. Lowe, Joy L. Ware, Paul Stephen CornIntroduced northern pike predation on salmonids in southcentral Alaska
Northern pike (Esox lucius) are opportunistic predators that can switch to alternative prey species after preferred prey have declined. This trophic adaptability allows invasive pike to have negative effects on aquatic food webs. In Southcentral Alaska, invasive pike are a substantial concern because they have spread to important spawning and rearing habitat for salmonids and are hypothesised to bAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, David S. Rutz, Sam S. Ivey, Kristine J. Dunker, Jackson A. GrossThe effects of pulse pressure from seismic water gun technology on Northern Pike
We examined the efficacy of sound pressure pulses generated from a water gun for controlling invasive Northern Pike Esox lucius. Pulse pressures from two sizes of water guns were evaluated for their effects on individual fish placed at a predetermined random distance. Fish mortality from a 5,620.8-cm3 water gun (peak pressure source level = 252 dB referenced to 1 μP at 1 m) was assessed every 24 hAuthorsJackson A. Gross, Kathryn M. Irvine, Siri K. Wilmoth, Tristany L. Wagner, Patrick A Shields, Jeffrey R. Fox - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.