Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Intoformation System

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The Great Lakes have a long history of introductions - intentional and unintentional - of aquatic nonindigenous species. The list now includes 183 species based primarily on Mills et al. (1993), Ricciardi (2001) and Ricciardi (2006), plus two more recently verified introductions: viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), and Hemimysis anomala . This is a long-term project to establish a "one-stop" information source for established nonindigenous aquatic species in the Great Lakes.

In order to create the functional on-line database NOAA's National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species has established a partnership with the USGS Florida Integrated Science Center. GLANSIS will utilize the existing USGS NAS database, but will have a customized user-interface and search function.

Seach the GLANSIS system.

Freshwater Invasives
group of zebra mussels on blue background. Photo: USGS.
Zebra mussels. Photo: USGS.

Many of the nations introduced plants and animals are found in freshwater. The NAS database lists more than 1000 species that have been introduced in the United States.

Major pathways of introduction include stocking of fish (and organisms that are transported with them), bait release, transportation of aquatic weeds and organisms on boats, ballast water discharge (primarily in the Great Lakes), and intentional release of animals such as aquarium fish and unwanted pets.

Search the web resources below using key words to help you find the information you are looking for.

Resources on Freshwater Invasives
Showing 85 Results
CollapseOverview of EPA Authorities for Natural Resource Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Management Plans: Introduction
Description: Information from the U.S. EPA about aquatic invasive species (AIS). Inludes examples of AIS impacts, photographs, types of rapid response and control actions, examples of rapid response and control actions, a tool for state ad local natural resource managers ,information about the clean water act, and the Federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act.
Resource Type: Bibliographies and Web Indexes, Issue Overviews
Resource Format: URL
Publisher: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Expand14th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
Expand2006 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course Aquatic, Upland and Invasive Weed Control; Aquatic Plant Identification
ExpandAdirondack Park Aquatic Invasive Plant Locations
ExpandAn Initial Survey of Aquatic Invasive Species Issues in the Gulf of Mexico Region
ExpandAn Initial Survey of Aquatic Invasive Species Issues in the Gulf of Mexico Region
ExpandAPIRS Online the Database of Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants
ExpandAppendix D: Advisory List of Invasive Aquatic Species
ExpandAquatic and Wetland Plants and Invasive Plants: Particulars and Photographs
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan for the State of Hawaii
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species in the Mid-Atlantic. Vector Management: A Prevention Solution. Regional Workshop 2009
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species Issues in the Gulf of Mexico Region, An Initial Survey of
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species Programs and Activities: 50-State Summary (PDF, 76 pp., 445 KB)
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species Web page
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species Working Group (Pacific Northwest)
ExpandAquatic Invasive Species: An Educator's Information and Materials Guide
ExpandAquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Particulars and Photographs
ExpandAquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants - Plant Image Gallery
ExpandAquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants List
ExpandBallast Water and Aquatic Invasive Species (PDF, 2 pp., 222 KB)
ExpandBiological Control Organisms for Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants
ExpandBlocking Invasive Aquatic Species
ExpandCanadian Aquatic Invasive Species Network ( CAISN )
ExpandCaulerpa taxifolia-Invasive Aquatic Plants
ExpandCenter for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
ExpandDocumented Infestations of Invasive Aquatic Plants in Maine
ExpandDRAFT Early Detection and Rapid Response Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species in Washington State
ExpandEconomic Impacts of Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop
ExpandEconomic Impacts of Aquatic Invasive Species: A Review of the Literature, The
ExpandEffects of Climate Change on Aquatic Invasive Species and Implications for Management and Research (PDF, 337 pp., 2.39 MB)
ExpandGAO Search Results: Aquatic Invasive Species
ExpandGreat Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Photography Library
ExpandGuide to Least-Wanted Aquatic Organisms of the Pacific Northwest - Aquatic Invasive Species
ExpandInvasive Aquatic Plant Field Guide
ExpandInvasive Aquatic Species Databases
ExpandInvasive Aquatic Species Educational Resources
ExpandInvasive Species in Aquatic Ecosystems: Economics and Matrix Population Models
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species - Management
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species - Melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species - Publications
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species - Publications: General Publications and Reports
ExpandInvasive Species: Aquatic Species - What You Can Do
ExpandInvasive, Exotic, Aquatic Plants
ExpandMaine Bureau of Land and Water Quality - Invasive Aquatic Plants web page
ExpandMaine Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Invasive Aquatic Species Program Report to the Joint Legislative Committees on Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife
ExpandMaine Invasive Aquatic Species Work Group Invasive Aquatic Species Report to the Joint Legislative Committees on Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife
ExpandMaine's Eleven Most Unwanted Invasive Aquatic Plants
ExpandMaine's Safety Net - A Practical Guide to Building Wash Stations - A Valuable Tool in Helping Protect Maine's Lakes from Invasive Aquatic Plants
ExpandMassachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan
ExpandMembers of the Louisiana Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force
ExpandNew Zealand Aquatic Invasive Plants Identification Guide
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the United States
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States: Eichhornia crassipes
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States: Iris pseudacorus
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States: Iris pseudacorus
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic Plants in the United States: Limnophora sessiliflora
ExpandNon-Native Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants in the United States
ExpandOnline Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America
ExpandOnline Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species in Northeastern North America
ExpandPathways of Aquatic Species Introduction: An Initial Survey of Aquatic Invasive Species Issues in the Gulf of Mexico Region(PDF)
ExpandPractical Guidebook to the Control of Invasive Aquatic and Wetland Plants of the San Francisco Bay-Delta Region - Introduction
ExpandPreventing Aquatic Species Invasions in the Mid-Atlantic. Outcome-Based Actions in Vector Management. Aquatic Invasive Species in the Mid-Atlantic Vector Workshop Findings.
ExpandQuick Key to Ruling Out Maine's Eleven Most Unwanted Invasive Aquatic Plants
ExpandRapid Response Plan for Invasive Aquatic Plants, Fish, and Other Fauna - Part 1: Plant Protocol
ExpandRapid Response Plan for Invasive Aquatic Plants, Fish, and Other Fauna - Part 2: Fish and Other Fauna Protocol
ExpandReducing the Introduction and Distribution of Aquatic Non-Native Invasive Species through Outreach
ExpandReport an Aquatic Invasive Species Sighting in Vermont Call: 802-241-3777
ExpandSouth Carolina Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan (PDF, 107 pp., 6.71 MB)
ExpandState Management Plan for Aquatic Invasive Species in Louisiana
ExpandState of Hawai'i Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Plan
ExpandState of Maine Action Plan for Managing Invasive Aquatic Species
ExpandState of Maine Action Plan For Managing Invasive Aquatic Species
ExpandStatic Map Graphic of Known Locations of Invasive Aquatic Plants in Maine - March 2005
ExpandStatic Map Graphic of Known Locations of Invasive Aquatic Plants in Maine - March 2007
ExpandSurvey of the Invasive Aquatic and Riparian Plants of the Lower Rio Grande
Expandtransitions... 2002 Annual Report on Aquatic Invasive Species
ExpandTrinational Risk Assessment Guidelines for Aquatic Alien Invasive Species. Test Cases for the Snakeheads (Channidae) and Armored Catfishes (Loricariidae) in North American Inland Waters
ExpandUnderstanding Invasive Aquatic Weeds - Homework and Classroom Activities for the 5th Grade
ExpandUsing Spatial Information Technologies to Distinguish and Map Invasive Aquatic Weeds
ExpandWelcome to the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants | Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
ExpandWisconsin's Comprehensive Management Plan to Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species
ExpandWisconsin's Comprehensive Management Plan To Prevent Further Introductions and Control Existing Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species
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