What We Do
Prevention is the key to keeping new aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species out of the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Monitoring Program aims to be the first line of defense by monitoring the Great Lakes to detect aquatic invasive species as early as possible. Finding and eradicating invasive species early is far more cost effective than trying to control a well-established population, which can grow and spread rapidly. The program employs a combination of traditional sampling techniques—such as netting and electrofishing—and advanced genetic monitoring methods, including metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices and partners across the Great Lakes carry out sample collection, while genetic analyses are conducted by the Whitney Genetics Laboratory and the Northeast Fisheries Center.
Management and Conservation
How We Choose Where to Monitor for Invasive Species
The Great Lakes are vast and looking for invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. To effectively monitor the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection and Monitoring Program focuses on areas at high-risk of invasion.
Identifying High-Risk Areas
The Great Lakes cover a vast area, and due to limited time and resources, we've focused our efforts on regions most at risk. Our partners at The Nature Conservancy, conducted a ‘hotspot analysis’ of areas at highest risk of introduction. The analysis divided the entire United States Great Lakes shoreline into 15-kilometer grid squares to assign risk indices for invasion of aquatic nuisance species. For each grid square, a risk score was calculated based on a variety of pathway surrogates (i.e. boat landings for recreational pathway), and a total of 25 highest-risk locations were established as top priority for surveillance.
You can view the Great Lakes Site Prioritization Map here: Great Lakes Site Prioritization Map
Choosing Sampling Sites
After identifying high-risk areas, each Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office selects specific sites within each of the high-risk areas to monitor for aquatic invasive species.
Prioritized locations:
- Areas with likely pathways for invasive species (such as ports, rivers, or canals).
- Contain habitats suitable for species on the Ecological Risk Screen Summaries, species watchlists, the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, recent literature, and partner input.
Areas that are safe and accessible for field crews.
To ensure we cover a wide range of conditions, we divide each high-risk area into different habitat types based on features like, water depth (bathymetry), substrate, water clarity, flow, temperature, oxygen levels, and even boat traffic.
We then use a method called stratified random sampling, which means we randomly select sampling sites within each habitat type which increases our chances of detecting new species, even when we don’t know exactly where they might appear.
To build a reliable picture of species diversity, each sampling site will be sampled for at least three years. As more data is collected, the site selection process will be refined to be more effective in future phases of the program.
Sampling Strategies for Invasive Species Detection
Large capture of Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) from a Fyke Net in Irondequoit Bay, NY.
Broad-Spectrum Sampling
Biologists sample for a wide range of invasive species that are likely to enter an area. Early detection is critical because preventing the spread of invasive species is much easier than managing a full-blown invasion. High-risk species identified on the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) risk assessments, United States Geological Survey (USGS) Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database, Great Lakes Commission watchlists, and input from state and tribal partners helps us decide which invasive species to prioritize.
Targeted Sampling
Biologists also sample for species that have already been recorded in the Great Lakes.These targeted efforts help track how far the species have spread and how large their populations are. This type of sampling is more focused, using existing data to guide where to sample and what tools to use.
Our Programs
Using multiple methodologies increases the chances of detecting novel and known invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species in an area. The Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Monitoring Program uses traditional sampling methods, metabarcoding, and invasive carp eDNA Monitoring.
Monitoring for aquatic invasive species using Traditional Sampling methods
The Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices use standard fisheries techniques to catch aquatic invasive species and physically confirm their presence. The success of capturing a live fish is often contingent upon using the correct equipment, as the most effective gear varies based on factors such as fish size, habitat preferences, and behavioral characteristics. The gear type used for species and habitat types are used consistently by each sampling team so that results can be compared across locations, seasons, and years to ensure reliable data. Consistency and reliable data are the key to evaluating the success of the program. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices use the “Recommended Sampling Gear Types and Standard Operating Procedures for the Early Detection of Non-native Fishes and Select Benthic Macroinvertebrates in the Great Lakes” as a guiding document for their efforts in the field.
Invasive Carp eDNA Monitoring
The potential invasion of carp species is the biggest threat facing the Great Lakes and other U.S. waters today. In the Great Lakes, one method being used to monitor the invasion of invasive carp is eDNA sampling. Environmental DNA, or eDNA for short, is a tool that can be used to monitor for the genetic presence of a species in the environment. Bighead and silver carp leave behind DNA in the environment through shedding skin cells, scales, or fecal material, or their genetic material can be indirectly transferred by boats, sediment, or even fecal matter of another organism.
Across the Great Lakes region, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Offices collect water samples to help detect the presence of invasive carp. These samples are sent to the Whitney Genetics Lab, where scientists use a technique called qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) to analyze samples for invasive carp eDNA. This method looks for genetic markers that are unique to bighead and silver carp. If those markers are found, it means invasive carp may be in the area, helping researchers and resource managers pinpoint where they should focus removal efforts.
Metabarcoding
The Whitney Genetics Lab and the Northeast Fishery Center are teaming up to bring cutting-edge science to the fight against aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes. Through the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Early Detection and Monitoring Program, they’re using a powerful tool called metabarcoding—a method that lets scientists identify DNA from multiple species from just one water sample. This technique works by analyzing tiny traces of DNA left behind in the environment, helping biologists quickly and efficiently detect which fish might be present in an area. Metabarcoding complements traditional sampling by helping field crews identify which species might be present, so they can bring the right gear and improve their chances of catching live fish. Compared to traditional methods, metabarcoding is faster, more sensitive, and less disruptive to aquatic habitats—making it a smart addition to the Service’s early detection toolkit.