Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons^™

Harvest Incentives: A Tool For Managing Aquatic Invasive Species, Bob Wiltshire, Nathan Stone, Marshall Meyers, Bill Hyatt, Lori Williams, Jason Goldberg, Susan Pasko, Leah Elwell

National Invasive Species Council

Conclusion

The success of any harvest incentive program to address aquatic invasive species will depend upon numerous biological, socioeconomic, and legal considerations. Programs that encourage harvest may be a successful management tool in targeting small, distinct populations; in high priority areas within a larger invasion; or they may play a supplementary role within larger control programs. Their use, however, will require careful review, planning, and monitoring to ensure success and that they do not unintentionally lead to further spread of invasive species, cause additional harm to native species, or waste valuable resources.

Validation Of Pcr-Based Assays And Laboratory Accreditation For Environmental Detection Of Aquatic Invasive Species, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

This white paper provides:

a) Background information on the use, accuracy and reliability of PCR-based assays such as environmentally sampled DNA (eDNA) for early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and;

b) Recommendations for establishing a system for validating assays and accrediting laboratories that report on the presence or absence of AIS.

This white paper was developed by the members of ISAC and discusses the need for developing validation requirements for Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and other DNA-based molecular assays that are increasingly being used to detect AIS. It does not provide a simplified checklist for evaluation of their ability …

Invasive Species And Climate Change, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

ISSUE

Climate change interacts with and can often amplify the negative impacts of invasive species. These interactions are not fully appreciated or understood. They can result in threats to critical ecosystem functions on which our food system and other essential provisions and services depend as well as increase threats to human health. The Invasive Species Advisory Committee to the National Invasive Species Council recognizes the Administration’s commitment to dealing proactively with global climate change. However, unless we recognize and act on the impact of climate change and its interaction with ecosystems and invasive species, we will fall further behind in …

Invasive Species And Public Investment In The Green Economy, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species and Public Investment in the Green Economy, approved by ISAC on June 24, 2010

ISSUE

Invasive species are intricately linked to the economy. Trade, travel, and transport facilitate their spread. Invasive species management requires extensive human and financial resources. The impacts of invasive species can substantially undermine economic growth and sustainable development. United States Executive Order (EO) 13112 defines invasive species as “alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health” and states that Federal agencies should …“not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that are likely …

Marine Bioinvasions And Climate Change, James T. Carlton, Sandra C. Lindstrom, Celia M. Smith, Jennifer E. Smith

National Invasive Species Council

BACKGROUND

Invasive species are second only to habitat destruction as the greatest cause of species endangerment and global biodiversity loss. Invasive species can cause severe and permanent damage to the ecosystems they invade. Consequences of invasion include competition with or predation upon native species, hybridization, carrying or supporting harmful pathogens and parasites that may affect wildlife and human health, disturbing ecosystem function through alteration of food webs and nutrient recycling rates, acting as ecosystem engineers and altering habitat structure, and degradation of the aesthetic quality of our natural resources. In many cases we may not fully know the native animals …

Nisc Newsletter: October 2010

National Invasive Species Council

International News

Conference in Copenhagen demands EU legislation on invasive species

Report Concludes Invasive Species, Climate Change, Form 'Deadly Duo'

State News

MSU, partners in six states consider converting invasive plants to fuel

Maryland Sea Grant and the Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species

In the News

Out, Invasive Species!

Invasive Tallowtree Spreading Rapidly Across Gulf Coast

Hunting Asian Carp

New Website

Landscape for Life Helps Homeowners Create Sustainable, Beautiful Gardens!

NISC Staff Updates

Highlights of Recent Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force (ANSTF) Meeting from NISC DOC Policy Liaison

Conferences

Nisc Overview

National Invasive Species Council

Executive Order (EO) 13112

NISC Members

NISC Staff

ISAC

NISC National Management Plans

Examples of NISC/ISAC Accomplishments

Nisc Newsletter: September 2010

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species In the News

Great Lakes: White House Names Asian Carp Czar (Paul Quinlan)

Experts testify in 5-state carp lawsuit

Snails seized at Dulles Airport

International News

National Invasive Species Strategy for Mexico

NISC Agencies News

Friends of Wild Amphibians

Federal/State News

Restoration for Aleutian Seabirds Brings New Life to Refuge “Rat” Island

Wasps Wage War on Behalf of Wiliwili Trees

Special Event!!

Winds of Change: Great Lakes, Great Oceans, Great Communities

Conferences

Nisc Newsletter: June-July 2010

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species In The News

Asian Carp Discovered Near Lake Michigan

International News

New: CBD - Subsidiary Body for Science, Technology and Technological Assistance (SBSTTA) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya

UK: Exploring Fish Invasion

Follow the money: wealth, population are key drivers of invasive species

NISC Agencies News

EPA

Climate Change Indicator Report

USDA

USDA/APHIS PPQ Moratorium for Biological Control of Saltcedar (Tamarix species) using the bilological control agent Diorhabda Spe-cies (Coleoptera: Chrytsomelidae)

APHIS

Risk Assessment of the Movement of Fire-wood within the United States

DOI

National Park Service

DOC

NOAA

State News

Research Project: Developing a Regional Risk-Assessment Model for …

Issue Overview

National Invasive Species Council

What are Invasive Species?

How do invasive species harm the environment?

What do invasive species cost?

Do invasive species harm humans?

Invasive Species

Nisc Newsletter- Special Issue: September 2010

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive Species Employment Opportunity

Below is summary information supporting two vacancy announcements and e-mail links for a full-time Biologist (Invasive Species, GS -401-11) working for the USFWS - Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office in Honolulu, Hawaii. The vacancy announcements (one for merit promotion and a second for open competition) will close on 15 September. This position will specialize on aquatic invasive species (30% time) issues in addition to broader, regional invasive species and disease issues (70% time).

Recent Regulation Changes Regarding Invasive Species In Mexico And The Development Of Mexico’S National Strategy On Invasive Species, Francisco Abarca

National Invasive Species Council

Between November 2008 and February 2010, Mexico made several modifications to existing environmental and wildlife regulations regarding invasive species.

On November 2008, the Deputy Chamber made several modifications to the Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection General Law (LGEEPA by its Spanish acronym; equivalent to NEPA), and the Wildlife General Law. These modifications were published in the Federal Register until February 2010.

The intent of these modifications was to strengthen existing regulations by incorporating more specific language dealing with invasive species and make these regulations more in tune with other regulations outside of the wildlife arena, such as the Forestry, …

Biofuels: Cultivating Energy, Not Invasive Species

National Invasive Species Council

To provide alternatives to petroleum-based energy, the United States (U.S.) government has mandated a greater proportion of plant-based biofuels be integrated into its energy portfolio. However, certain plant species being proposed for biofuel production in the U.S. are invasive species or are likely to escape cultivation and become invasive.

U.S. Executive Order (E.O.) 13112¹ defines invasive species as “alien [non-native] species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health” and states:

“Each Federal agency whose actions may affect the status of invasive species shall, to the extent practicable and permitted …

Asian Carp In The Missouri River: Analysis From Multiple Missouri River Habitat And Fisheries Programs, Greg A. Wanner, Robert A. Klumb

National Invasive Species Council

Bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, silver carp H. molitrix, black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus, and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, collectively referred to as Asian carps, are invasive species that were either accidentally or intentionally introduced into the Mississippi River basin. The expansion of Asian carp into the Missouri River is not well understood and knowledge of population characteristics within this river were lacking. The objectives of this study were to describe the relative abundance, size structure, and spatial and temporal trends of Asian carp using multiple gears from three long-term fish community monitoring programs in the Missouri River …

Common Carp Abundance, Biomass, And Removal From Dewey And Clear Lakes On The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge: Does Trapping And Removing Carp Payoff?, Greg A. Wanner, Melvin P. Nenneman, Mark A. Kaemingk

National Invasive Species Council

Common carp Cyprinus carpio is a nonnative invasive nuisance species to North America. Many authors have documented the detrimental affects of common carp invasions on waterfowl habitats (Chamberlain 1948; Robel 1961), game fish habitat (Cahn 1929), and the overall decline in native fishes (Bernstein and Olson 2001; Koehn 2004). Common carp reduce water quality by mobilizing nutrients and increasing turbidity; therefore, increasing phytoplankton biomass and reducing zooplankton biomass and rooted aquatic vegetation (Lougheed et al. 1998). Common carp are capable of rapidly colonizing shallow lakes and altering a body of water from a clear stable state, dominated by submergent vegetation …

Length-Weight Relationships For Three Asian Carp Species In The Missouri River, Greg A. Wanner, Robert A. Klumb

National Invasive Species Council

Bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), collectively referred to as Asian carp, are invasive species that have been introduced into the Mississippi River basin. The expansion of Asian carp into the Missouri River is not well understood and knowledge of population characteristics within this river are lacking. The objectives of this study were to describe the length-weight relationships (condition) of Asian carp from 2003 to 2007 in the Missouri River downstream of Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota and Nebraska to St. Louis, Missouri. All total, 388 bighead, …

Management Plan 2008-2012

National Invasive Species Council

The 2008–2012 National Invasive Species Management Plan (2008 Plan) is the first revision of the 2001 Plan, as mandated by EO 13112. This document will direct Federal efforts (including overall strategy and objectives) to prevent, control and minimize invasive species and their impacts within the next five fiscal years (2008 through 2012). If necessary, it may be updated more frequently to reflect changes in circumstances, agency plans and priorities. NISC member agencies, ISAC members, NISC staff, stakeholders and other experts have provided input in drafting this revision, which replaces the 2001 Plan.

The 2008 Plan is focused upon five “Strategic …

Year 2008 Annual Summary Report On The Use Of Common Carp Pituitary In Field Efficacy Trials, Bonnie Johnson

National Invasive Species Council

Spawning aids such as common carp pituitary (CCP), luteinizing hormonereleasing hormone analogue, and human chorionic gonadotropin are routinely used in fisheries programs to induce gamete maturation in fish to enhance fish propagation programs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of CCP under the Compassionate Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) Exemption #8391 for the purpose of gathering efficacy data to support a new animal drug approval for CCP. During calendar year 2008 (CY08), 16 INAD trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of CCP to induce gamete maturation in a variety of fish species. Trials involved 3,738 …

Factors Controlling Patterns Of Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense) And Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea Solstitialis) Across The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Paul E. Hosten

National Invasive Species Council

Landscape patterns of broadleaved noxious weeds across the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument are examined in the context of environmental and management factors to improve our understanding of weed dynamics. Environmental factors include a range of topographic edaphic variables, while management factors provide insight about historic vegetation manipulation, road construction and forage utilization by wildlife and livestock. Distribution patterns of Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) across the Monument are best described by a combination of topographic, edaphic, biotic, and management factors. Variables incorporated within models describing landscape patterns of weeds varied with response variable …

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Response To The Catfish Farmers Of Arkansas Information Quality Act (Iqa) Request For Correction

National Invasive Species Council

In February 2000, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) received a petition from the Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resources Association (MICRA) to list the black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) under the injurious wildlife provision of the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. § 42). On June 2, 2000, we published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) (65 FR 35314) to seek comments on whether or not we should propose to list black carp as injurious under the Lacey Act. The comment period on the ANPR was open for 60 days, until August 1, 2000. During that comment period, …

Training And Implementation Guide For Pathway Definition, Risk Analysis And Risk Prioritization

National Invasive Species Council

The purpose of pathway risk analysis is to provide scientific analyses and policy recommendations in support of U.S. National Invasive Species Council’s Management Plan. These analyses and recommendations must comply with the Plan’s mandates to:

• ensure Federal efforts are coordinated and effective

• promote action and partnership at local, State, tribal and ecosystem levels

• identify recommendations for international cooperation; and,

• facilitate networks to document, monitor and prioritize invasive species pathways

Though many definitions for invasive species and pathways may exist, we are defining these terms as they relate to Federal regulatory functions. Definitions are recounted, below:

Invasive …

Invasive Species Definition Clarification And Guidance, Invasive Species Advisory Committee

National Invasive Species Council

Summary

Invasive species are those that are not native to the ecosystem under consideration and that cause or are likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health. Plant and animal species under domestication or cultivation and under human control are not invasive species. Furthermore for policy purposes, to be considered invasive, the negative impacts caused by a non-native species will be deemed to outweigh the beneficial effects it provides. Finally, a non-native species might be considered invasive in one region but not in another. Whether or not a species is considered an invasive …

Asian Carp -Aquatic Invasive Species Issues, Program Accomplishments, And Program Needs

National Invasive Species Council

Pathways and Introductions into the United States

Biology and Ecology

Distribution and Abundance

Ecological Risks and Impacts

Threats to the Great Lakes Basin

Threat to Other Basins and Locations

What is the Fish and Wildlife Service Doing?

Draft Environmental Assessment For Listing Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) As Injurious Wildlife Under The Lacey Act

National Invasive Species Council

In this environmental assessment, we consider two alternatives for the proposed action to add silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act: 1) no action; and 2) adding all forms (diploid and triploid) of live silver carp, gametes, eggs and hybrids. Three alternatives considered, but dismissed from further analysis were 1) adding all forms of live and dead silver carp, gametes, eggs and hybrids; and 2) adding only diploid (fertile) forms of live silver carp, gametes, eggs and hybrids; and 3) require double-escape proof aquaculture ponds, transport vehicles and containers for typical …

Overview Of Nisc & Isac

National Invasive Species Council

Executive Order (EO) 13112

ISAC

Federal Advisory Committee Act

ISAC Charter

ISAC Subcommittees

Membership of ISAC

Five-Year Review Of Executive Order 13112 On Invasive Species

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive species inhabit all regions of the United States and every nation. The price society pays for invasives is reflected not only in significant economic damage but also in high level of environmental degradation, loss of recreational opportunities, and harm to animal, plant, and human health. Executive Order 13112 (EO) was issued in 1999 to enhance federal coordination and response to the complex and accelerating problem of invasive species. As directed by the EO, the National Invasive Species Council has approved this report for the Office of Management and Budget to assess the effectiveness of the EO and evaluate whether …

Guidelines For Ranking Invasive Species Control Projects

National Invasive Species Council

Invasive species issues challenge all of us everyday. Whether you are formally tasked with land management or simply active in exploring and protecting ecosystems, dealing with the threats presented by the multitude of terrestrial, aquatic, or microbial invasive species is a complicated matter. The National Invasive Species Council (NISC) has been tasked, since the signing of Executive Order 13112 in 1999, with assisting in the coordination of efforts to combat invasive species. The NISC developed the National Invasive Species Management Plan (Plan) and Action Item #32 of the Plan states: By January 2003, NISC will develop and issue guidance for …

Canada Thistle

National Invasive Species Council

Alternate Names

Synonyms

Description

Similar Species

Family: Asteraceae

Ecological Impact

Biology and Invasive Potential

Distribution and Abundance

Management

Notes

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Aquatic Invasive Species Interagency Task Force: 2005 Action Plan For The Lower St. Croix River

National Invasive Species Council

This plan outlines strategies and actions proposed by the participating agencies for the 2005 season to help accomplish the Task Force purpose and implement actions from the St. Croix Scenic Riverway Comprehensive Interstate Management Plan.

Implementing this action plan will help attain the following goals of the comprehensive interstate management plan:

Goal I: Prevent or slow the spread of aquatic invasive species into and within the St. Croix River.

Goal II: Abate harmful ecological, economic, social and public health impacts resulting from infestation of aquatic invasive species.

Asian Carps Of The Genus Hypophthalmichthys (Pisces, Cyprinidae) ― A Biological Synopsis And Environmental Risk Assessment, Cindy S. Kolar, Duane C. Chapman, Walter R. Courtenay Jr., Christine M. Housel, James D. Williams, Dawn P. Jennings

National Invasive Species Council

Carps of the family Cyprinidae, the largest family of freshwater fishes in the world (Nelson 1994), have long been introduced beyond their native ranges, a practice that continues today. Although carps have been introduced for several centuries, the widespread introduction of the genus Hypophthalmichthys, the bigheaded carps, is a relatively recent phenomenon. All three recognized species of Hypophthalmichthys—H. nobilis, in North America referred to as Bighead Carp; H. molitrix; Silver Carp; and H. harmandi, Largescale Silver Carp—are native to fresh waters of eastern Asia. Largescale Silver Carp have been introduced elsewhere in west-central Asia as a …