Impact of Data Availability on Site Assessment and Predictive Behavior of Aquatic Invasive Species
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the status of available documentation of the physiological ecology of several invasive aquatic species in relation to the ability to predict which sites will be susceptible to invasion. As of 2001, it was estimated that approximately 50,000 nonindigenous species had been introduced into the United States (Pimentel et al. 2000). Some are beneficial, including food crops (e.g. corn, wheat), livestock (e.g. cattle, sheep), landscape enhancement (e.g. crape myrtles, boxwoods), or biological pest controls (e.g. host-specific biological control insects and pathogens). Others, however, have caused major economic losses and harmful impacts to the environment. Over the past 40 years, introductions have increased because of human population growth and mobility and increased trade among nations (Pimentel et al. 2000). Fundamental to establishment success for any invasive species is a source of food and a place to live and reproduce (Worner and Gevrey 2006). Additionally, to understand invasiveness, one must be cognizant about the conditions required for invasion, species-specific characteristics, and ecosystem susceptibility (Worner 2002). Successful establishment of a species arriving in a new environment is dependent on a variety of biotic and abiotic factors, including climate and environmental conditions of the habitat being invaded. The biology of an invasive species may be well understood, but knowledge concerning environmental tolerances of invasive species is severely lacking. Predicting where a nonindigenous species will invade is a major challenge to invasive species researchers. In recent years, niche modeling tools have been used to forecast the spread of invasive species over broad landscapes. Tools such as BIOCLIM, CLIMEX, and GARP (Genetic Algorithm of Rule-Set Production) correlate the distribution of a species to climatic and/or environmental variables (Loo et al. 2007). GIS (Geographic Information Systems) allows spa
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA520453
Entities
People
- Judy F. Shearer
- Michael J. Grodowitz
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center