Aquatic Invasive Species Research in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes and 45,000 miles of streams are among the state's most valuable natural resources. The abundance, diversity, and quality of Wisconsin’s aquatic resources provide the cornerstone of the state’s $12 billion annual travel and tourism industry, in addition to a wide range of ecosystem services, recreational opportunities, and aesthetic benefits.
Unfortunately, a threat to these important natural resources is lurking nearby. Exotic species now dominate the food webs of the Great Lakes, resulting in profound ecological and economic impacts. Some of these exotics are now spreading to inland lakes and streams through inter-connected waterways and canals and by hitchhiking on recreational watercraft. Here, we highlight the ecological changes in inland waters caused by the invasion of Wisconsin’s aquatic ecosystems by a series of emerging exotic species.
To learn more about these emerging invaders and our 'Smart Prevention' research, please follow the links on the left.