Estimating relative risk of within-lake aquatic plant invasion using combined measures of recreational boater movement and habitat suitability.

ABSTRACT: Effective monitoring, prevention and impact mitigation of nonindigenous aquatic species relies upon the ability to predict dispersal pathways and receiving habitats with the greatest risk of establishment. To examine mechanisms affecting species establishment within a large lake, we combined observations of recreational boater movements with empirical measurements of habitat suitability represented by nearshore wave energy to assess the relative risk of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) establishment. The model was evaluated using information from a 17 year (1995-2012) sequence of M. spicatum presence and absence monitoring. M. spicatum presence was not specifically correlated with recreational boater movements; however its establishment appears to be limited by wave action in

SUBMITTER: Wittmann ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4369337 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature