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Invasive Species

More than 180 aquatic nuisance species now exist in the Great Lakes. Enhanced prevention and control efforts are critical to halting new invasive (non-native) aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial species from becoming established in the Great Lakes. By rapidly reproducing and spreading, invasive species can degrade habitat, harm native species and alter food webs. Prevention is the most cost-effective approach to dealing with organisms that have not yet arrived and could potentially threaten the Great Lakes. Once invasive species establish a foothold, they are virtually impossible to eradicate; however, invasive species still need to be controlled to maintain the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. The GLRI is supporting efforts to prevent and control invasive species. As a part of this effort, the USGS is working with others to help prevent and/or control Asian carp, Phragmites australis (common reed), Zebra and Quagga mussels.

USGS Science and Technology Help Managers Battle Invading Asian Carp
Filter Total Items: 12
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Staff using micron mesh for zooplankton sampling

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions: Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative - Lake Ontario, 2018

Environmental organizations from the United States and Canada have teamed up each year, as part of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) program, to assess conditions in one of the five Great Lakes. . Each year, the survey focuses on a series of research areas, such as phosphorus and nitrogen input and movement through the food web, phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, and...
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Foundations for Future Restoration Actions: Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative - Lake Ontario, 2018

Environmental organizations from the United States and Canada have teamed up each year, as part of the Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) program, to assess conditions in one of the five Great Lakes. . Each year, the survey focuses on a series of research areas, such as phosphorus and nitrogen input and movement through the food web, phytoplankton and zooplankton populations, and...
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high head dam

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Brandon Road Lock and Dam

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. Successful management of this invasive species requires methods to contain future spread, reduce population levels, and minimize their effects. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists...
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Brandon Road Lock and Dam

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. Successful management of this invasive species requires methods to contain future spread, reduce population levels, and minimize their effects. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists...
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Staff member on river preparing for testing of water quality

Asian Carp Risk Assessment and Life History: Assessment of Hydraulic and Water-Quality Influences on Waterways to Develop Control Options

USGS scientists monitored the distribution of the Asian carp populations within the pools of the Illinois River to help identify favorable habitats. Sharp contrasts in habitat, flow conditions, water quality, and food supply between the Marseilles and Dresden Island Pools and the Chicago Area Waterway System may be acting as controlling factors to the stalled upstream movement of Asian carp into...
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Asian Carp Risk Assessment and Life History: Assessment of Hydraulic and Water-Quality Influences on Waterways to Develop Control Options

USGS scientists monitored the distribution of the Asian carp populations within the pools of the Illinois River to help identify favorable habitats. Sharp contrasts in habitat, flow conditions, water quality, and food supply between the Marseilles and Dresden Island Pools and the Chicago Area Waterway System may be acting as controlling factors to the stalled upstream movement of Asian carp into...
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Asian Carp jumping from the Illinois River

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Carbon Dioxide as A Control Tool for Invasive Asian Carp Control

The objective of this project is to develop carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new tool for controlling Asian carp migration. More specifically, navigational structures are potential management pinch-points to block the spread of Asian carps within major rivers throughout the United States. Carbon dioxide has shown promise as a behavioral deterrent for Asian carps and could be a useful non-physical method...
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Carbon Dioxide as A Control Tool for Invasive Asian Carp Control

The objective of this project is to develop carbon dioxide (CO2) as a new tool for controlling Asian carp migration. More specifically, navigational structures are potential management pinch-points to block the spread of Asian carps within major rivers throughout the United States. Carbon dioxide has shown promise as a behavioral deterrent for Asian carps and could be a useful non-physical method...
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Staff deploying an acoustic deterrent system in the CAWS

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Acoustic Deterrents for Asian Carp

The long-term goal of this project is to develop acoustic deterrents to prevent the upstream migration of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Acoustic Deterrents for Asian Carp

The long-term goal of this project is to develop acoustic deterrents to prevent the upstream migration of Asian carp to the Great Lakes.
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Quagga Mussels

Invasive Mussel Control Science: Dreissenid Mussel Growth in Lake Ontario

USGS scientists worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor growth of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lake Ontario with the goal of improving understanding on the effects these mussels have on the Lake food web.
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Invasive Mussel Control Science: Dreissenid Mussel Growth in Lake Ontario

USGS scientists worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to monitor growth of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lake Ontario with the goal of improving understanding on the effects these mussels have on the Lake food web.
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small grass carp with toxic bait

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Monitoring and Response Methodologies, and Implementation of an Adaptive Management Framework to Work Towards Eradication of Grass Carp in Lake Erie

The US Geological Survey is studying life history and habitats of invasive Grass Carp with a goal of developing strategies and tactics to greatly reduce or possibly eradicate Grass Carp from Lake Erie.
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Monitoring and Response Methodologies, and Implementation of an Adaptive Management Framework to Work Towards Eradication of Grass Carp in Lake Erie

The US Geological Survey is studying life history and habitats of invasive Grass Carp with a goal of developing strategies and tactics to greatly reduce or possibly eradicate Grass Carp from Lake Erie.
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Collecting water samples for eDNA

Asian Carp Early Detection

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists are testing early detection methods and technologies to enhance the ability of agencies to manage Asian carp to minimize their influence and...
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Invasive Species Program (unpublished)
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Asian Carp Early Detection

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists are testing early detection methods and technologies to enhance the ability of agencies to manage Asian carp to minimize their influence and...
Learn More
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Hydraulic and water-quality testing

Asian Carp Risk Assessment and Life History

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. USGS Asian carp biology and life history research has led to the development of models, tools and strategies to better understand the risk of Asian carp establishment and survival.USGS...
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Invasive Species Program (unpublished)
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Asian Carp Risk Assessment and Life History

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. USGS Asian carp biology and life history research has led to the development of models, tools and strategies to better understand the risk of Asian carp establishment and survival.USGS...
Learn More
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Asian Carp

Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. Successful management of invasive species requires methods to contain future spread, reduce population levels, and minimize their effects. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists have...
By
Invasive Species Program (unpublished)
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Asian Carp Integrated Control and Containment

Increased threat of Asian carp entering the Great Lakes and spreading to other basins such as the Upper Mississippi River and Ohio River basins, has led to increased prevention and control efforts since 2010. Successful management of invasive species requires methods to contain future spread, reduce population levels, and minimize their effects. In collaboration with partners, USGS scientists have...
Learn More
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Zebra Mussels, Dreissena polymorpha

Advancing Invasive Mussel Science Through Collaboration

The Invasive Mussel Collaborative was formed in 2014 to advance scientifically sound technology for invasive mussel control to produce measurable ecological and economic benefits in the Great Lakes. A broad membership base of states, provinces, tribal and other entities and a well-organized communication network facilitates the exchange of information between scientists, managers and stakeholders...
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Invasive Species Program (unpublished)
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Advancing Invasive Mussel Science Through Collaboration

The Invasive Mussel Collaborative was formed in 2014 to advance scientifically sound technology for invasive mussel control to produce measurable ecological and economic benefits in the Great Lakes. A broad membership base of states, provinces, tribal and other entities and a well-organized communication network facilitates the exchange of information between scientists, managers and stakeholders...
Learn More
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Boat trolling for zebra mussels

Invasive Mussel Control Science: Management Tools for Assessing the Risks and Control of Invasive Dreissenid Species

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively) are causing significant ecological and economic impacts and the scope of these impacts increases as they continue to spread across North America. The USGS conducts science to inform management actions for controlling and mitigating the impacts of invasive mussels. Studies include evaluation and...
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Invasive Species Program (unpublished)
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Invasive Mussel Control Science: Management Tools for Assessing the Risks and Control of Invasive Dreissenid Species

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and D. rostriformis bugensis, respectively) are causing significant ecological and economic impacts and the scope of these impacts increases as they continue to spread across North America. The USGS conducts science to inform management actions for controlling and mitigating the impacts of invasive mussels. Studies include evaluation and...
Learn More