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Invasive Species of Lake Champlain Basin

This project aims to identify key invasive species affecting Lake Champlain, analyze habitat impacts, and create a ranking system to determine severity of interactions. Urban areas, marinas, and fisheries are major sources of invasives in the basin.

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Invasive Species of Lake Champlain Basin

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  1. Invasive Species of Lake Champlain Basin Ty Bereskie, Alyssa Kaliszewski, Monica Beers

  2. Problem Statement • There are 48 different invasive species in the Lake Champlain Basin that out compete native species and alter the ecosystem structure. http://cat.middlebury.edu/~lcrc/images/colormap.jpg

  3. Background • An invasive species is an exotic species whose introduction into an ecosystem (in which the species is not native) causes environmental or economic damage • Invasive species are harmful to our natural resources because they disrupt natural communities and ecological processes. Invasive species can outcompete native species for food and habitats. - US Fish and Wildlife Service

  4. Purpose Statement The goal of this project is to create a ranking system that determines which key invasive species pose risk to sub-watersheds of the Lake Champlain Basin

  5. Objectives • Identify key invasive species that are affecting Lake Champlain • Identify what types of habitat are being affected by invasive species • To create a ranking system that shows the severity of interactions between invasive species and habitats within the Lake Champlain Basin

  6. Identifying Key Invasive Species Our process for selecting species was to choose one organism from each of the sub-groups on the list of 48 invasive species from Marsden & Hauser 2009. Asterisks identify species that are nuisances in Lake Champlain or elsewhere. Source indicates closest range to Lake Champlain prior to arrival in the lake. Date indicates !rst sighting of the species in the Lake Champlain watershed. Authorized stocking of !sh is noted as stocked (d); stocked (u) includes organisms brought into the basin deliberately but without authorization. VTDEC: Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation, VTDFS: Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.

  7. White Perch • Shallow water, ≤ 5 meters • Eutrophic conditions • Turbid water conditions, with high conductivity • Low presence of yellow perch (Percaflavescens) http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/biology/Fish_key/Percichthyidae/WhitePerch2.jpg

  8. Rusty Crayfish • Affects streams and rivers through out the Lake Champlain Basin • Shallow water within Lake Champlain ≤ 6 meters

  9. Water Chestnut • Lake Champlain Shallow waters (0.3-2m) • Streams and Rivers • Other Lakes and Ponds • Nutrient rich waters • Moderate alkalinity

  10. Zebra Mussel • Live in Lake Champlain depths of ≤ 25 ft, but have been in up to 225 ft • Can be found in Lakes outside Lake Champlain, but not typically found in streams or rivers

  11. Affected Habitats 1- indicates that the stressor does affect the habitat 0.5- indicates that the stressor may affect the habitat but more information is needed 0- indicates that the stressor does not affect the habitat

  12. Sources of Invasive Species Relationship Between Invasive Species and Source for the Lake Champlain Basin 0 - Indicates no connection 0.5 – Indicates there may be a connection, but need more information 1 – Indicates a connection

  13. Urban • Aquarium Dumping • Escaped ornamentals

  14. Marinas • Large amount of boat traffic- invasive species transported from one body of water to another • Live wells • Fishing/bait

  15. Fisheries • Depends on the type of fish being raised • Depends on the food they are being fed

  16. Importance Filter 0- There is no importance of invasive species impact 0.5- There could be an importance of invasive species impact, but is unknown 2- There is an importance of invasive species impact 4- There is a significant importance of invasive species impact

  17. Conclusions • Urban areas, marinas, and possibly fisheries are all sources of invasive species in the Lake Champlain Basin • Invasive species affect shallow and deep water habitats, along with lakes and streams outside of the lake, and developed areas

  18. Recommendations • Boat checks at boat launches • Educational outreach • Removal initiatives

  19. Acknowledgements • Breck Bowden • PoojaKanwar • Pam Johnston • Rebecca Gorney • ENSC 202 Lecture

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