Pathways and places associated with nonindigenous aquatic species introductions in the Laurentian Great Lakes.

ABSTRACT: Propagule pressure (i.e., the frequency and abundance of introductions) is a common indicator of the likelihood of nonindigenous aquatic species (NAS) establishment success. Evaluating propagule pressure associated with multiple introduction pathways relative to present NAS distribution patterns may identify which pathway presents the greatest risk. Our objective was to develop and evaluate three geospatial metrics for the Laurentian Great Lakes as proxies of propagule pressure associated with three major introduction pathways: maritime commerce, organisms in trade, and water recreation. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted between NAS presence and introduction pathway intensity (e.g., number of vessel trips received by a port) for 23 NAS over a five-decade period (1970 -

SUBMITTER: O'Malia EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6605096 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature