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.
Evolutionary mechanisms influencing the spread of hybridization: genomics, fitness and dispersal
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Fall and winter movements and habitat use of the introduced American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana) in a Montana pond
Potential utility of environmental DNA for early detection of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Effects of hybridization between nonnative Rainbow Trout and native Westslope Cutthroat Trout on fitness-related traits
Spatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction
Spatial sorting promotes the spread of maladaptive hybridization
Modeling habitat connectivity to inform reintroductions: a case study with the Chiricahua Leopard Frog
Population genetic structure and disease in montane boreal toads: More heterozygous individuals are more likely to be infected with amphibian chytrid
Genomics and introgression: Discovery and mapping of thousands of species-diagnostic SNPs using RAD sequencing
Invasion of American bullfrogs along the Yellowstone River
Dispersal and selection mediate hybridization between a native and invasive species
Prevalence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, USA
Introduced northern pike consumption of salmonids in Southcentral Alaska
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: 13Evolutionary mechanisms influencing the spread of hybridization: genomics, fitness and dispersal
Invasive species and hybridization (reproduction between different species or subspecies) – among the most serious threats to native species and biodiversity – provide some of the richest opportunities for “natural experiments” in evolutionary biology. New genomic technologies, combined with long-term hybridization studies in natural populations, provide exciting opportunities to advance our... - Multimedia
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 44Fall and winter movements and habitat use of the introduced American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana) in a Montana pond
American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) have been introduced across the globe, including in many northern latitude habitats where wetlands are ice-covered for part of the year. Because bullfrogs are less mobile at low temperatures, greater knowledge about their overwintering habitat may provide additional opportunities for control. Here, we described fall and early-winter movements and habitaAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, Megan J. LayheePotential utility of environmental DNA for early detection of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)
Considering the harmful and irreversible consequences of many biological invasions, early detection of an invasive species is an important step toward protecting ecosystems (Sepulveda et al. 2012). Early detection increases the probability that suppression or eradication efforts will be successful because invasive populations are small and localized (Vander Zanden et al. 2010). However, most invasAuthorsJeremy Newton, Adam J. Sepulveda, K Sylvester, Ryan ThumEffects of hybridization between nonnative Rainbow Trout and native Westslope Cutthroat Trout on fitness-related traits
Hybridization between introduced and native fauna is a risk to native species and may threaten the long-term persistence of numerous taxa. Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss has been one of the most widely introduced species around the globe and often hybridizes with native Cutthroat Trout O. clarkii in the Rocky Mountains. Previous work has shown that hybridization negatively affects reproductiveAuthorsDaniel P. Drinan, Molly A. H. Webb, Kerry A. Naish, Steven T. Kalinowski, Matthew C. Boyer, Amber C. Steed, Bradley B. Shepard, Clint C. MuhlfeldSpatial occupancy models for predicting metapopulation dynamics and viability following reintroduction
The reintroduction of a species into its historic range is a critical component of conservation programmes designed to restore extirpated metapopulations. However, many reintroduction efforts fail, and the lack of rigorous monitoring programmes and statistical models have prevented a general understanding of the factors affecting metapopulation viability following reintroduction. Spatially explicAuthorsRichard B. Chandler, Erin L. Muths, Brent H. Sigafus, Cecil R. Schwalbe, Christopher J. Jarchow, Blake R. HossackSpatial sorting promotes the spread of maladaptive hybridization
Invasive hybridization is causing loss of biodiversity worldwide. The spread of such introgression can occur even when hybrids have reduced Darwinian fitness, which decreases the frequency of hybrids due to low survival or reproduction through time. This paradox can be partially explained by spatial sorting, where genotypes associated with dispersal increase in frequency at the edge of expansion,AuthorsWinsor H. Lowe, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Fred W. AllendorfModeling habitat connectivity to inform reintroductions: a case study with the Chiricahua Leopard Frog
Managing species with intensive tools such as reintroduction may focus on single sites or entire landscapes. For vagile species, long-term persistence will require colonization and establishment in neighboring habitats. Therefore, both suitable colonization sites and suitable dispersal corridors between sites are required. Assessment of landscapes for both requirements can contribute to ranking anAuthorsChristopher J. Jarchow, Blake R. Hossack, Brent H. Sigafus, Cecil R. Schwalbe, Erin L. MuthsPopulation genetic structure and disease in montane boreal toads: More heterozygous individuals are more likely to be infected with amphibian chytrid
Amphibians are more threatened than any other vertebrate group, with 41 % of species classified as threatened. The causes of most declines are not well understood, though many declines have been linked to disease. Additionally, amphibians are physiologically constrained to moist habitats and considered poor dispersers; thus, they may suffer genetic consequences of population isolation. To understaAuthorsBrett Addis, Winsor Lowe, Blake R. Hossack, Fred AllendorfGenomics and introgression: Discovery and mapping of thousands of species-diagnostic SNPs using RAD sequencing
Invasive hybridization and introgression pose a serious threat to the persistence of many native species. Understanding the effects of hybridization on native populations (e.g., fitness consequences) requires numerous species-diagnostic loci distributed genome-wide. Here we used RAD sequencing to discover thousands of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are diagnostic between rainbow troutAuthorsBrian K. Hand, Tyler D Hether, Ryan P. Kovach, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Stephen J. Amish, Matthew C. Boyer, Sean M. O’Rourke, Michael R. Miller, Winsor H. Lowe, Paul A. Hohenlohe, Gordon LuikartInvasion of American bullfrogs along the Yellowstone River
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is a globally distributed invasive species that was introduced to the Yellowstone River floodplain of Montana. Knowledge about floodplain habitat features that allow for bullfrog persistence and spread will help identify effective control strategies. We used field surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 to describe bullfrog spread in the Yellowstone River floAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, Megan J. Layhee, Dave Stagliano, Jake Chaffin, Allison Begley, Bryce A. MaxellDispersal and selection mediate hybridization between a native and invasive species
Hybridization between native and non-native species has serious biological consequences, but our understanding of how dispersal and selection interact to influence invasive hybridization is limited. Here, we document the spread of genetic introgression between a native (Oncorhynchus clarkii) and invasive (Oncorhynchus mykiss) trout, and identify the mechanisms influencing genetic admixture. In twoAuthorsRyan P. Kovach, Clint C. Muhlfeld, Matthew C. Boyer, Winsor H. Lowe, Fred W. Allendorf, Gordon LuikartPrevalence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, USA
Information on disease presence can be of use to natural resource managers, especially in areas supporting threatened and endangered species that occur coincidentally with species that are suspected vectors for disease. Ad hoc reports may be of limited utility (Muths et al. 2009), but a general sense of pathogen presence (or absence) can inform management directed at T&E species, especially in regAuthorsBrent H. Sigafus, Blake R. Hossack, Erin L. Muths, Cecil R. SchwalbeIntroduced northern pike consumption of salmonids in Southcentral Alaska
The impacts of introduced northern pike (Esox lucius) on salmonid populations have attracted much attention because salmonids are popular subsistence, sport and commercial fish. Concern over the predatory effects of introduced pike on salmonids is especially high in Southcentral Alaska, where pike were illegally introduced to the Susitna River basin in the 1950s. We used pike abundance, growth, anAuthorsAdam J. Sepulveda, David S. Rutz, Aaron W Dupuis, Patrick A Shields, Kristine J. Dunker - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.