2021 MAISRC Showcase is moving fully online
Each year, MAISRC hosts a Research and Management Showcase to share real-world solutions to Minnesota's aquatic invasive species problems. When we began planning the 2021 Showcase, we were excited to offer both an in-person and online experience for our attendees. As we began our planning efforts in the spring, the COVID-19 Delta variant had not yet risen to its current levels of cases or widespread concern. As a research center that works toward the goal of minimizing the spread of 'bad actors' into our beloved lakes, we found ourselves needing to take our own advice to reduce the spread of a different kind of bad actor. That said, we are moving forward with our Showcase this year, but online only.
We are making this change of plans now so that we can have time to organize and create the best possible online experience. Moving to an online format means that all presentations will now be streamed live and recorded. With the exception of our Carp Management Panel and New Projects Lightning Talk, all other presentations will have two time slots, giving you two opportunities to watch each session. All presentations will be recorded and will be available for viewing after the Showcase on our YouTube channel.
If you already purchased an in-person ticket— our staff will be in touch with you shortly to ask if you would like to switch to an online ticket (and receive a partial refund) or cancel your ticket (and receive a full refund).
2020 was a crazy year, but we still have exciting research findings to share with you! Join us online to learn about optimizing eDNA monitoring for AIS, cattail removal to improve shoreline biodiversity, invasive Phragmites management, and much more.
Session descriptions and our fully online 2021 agenda are available.
We hope to virtually see you on September 22!
Update from the field - copper for zebra mussel suppression
This past July, a collaboration of researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the University of Minnesota - brought a mobile laboratory to the northeast shore of Pelican Lake. There, they spent just under three weeks running experiments with very low concentrations of copper to see how effective those concentrations were at controlling zebra mussel veligers (the larval life stage). Learn more about their work this summer >
A Van What? eDNA sampling on Lake Vermillion
Environmental DNA, or ‘eDNA’ for short, is the DNA that organisms shed into their habitats. DNA can come from skin cells, mucous, urine, and more. Collecting water samples is one way to quickly and easily capture eDNA. Watch the video to learn about the 'Van Dorn Sampler'—a special piece of equipment that helps our researchers to study eDNA distribution at various water depths and locations in a lake.
Recent publications
Early presence of Bythotrephes cederströmii (Cladocera: Cercopagidae) in lake sediments in North America: evidence or artifact? Journal of Paleolimnology. (DeWeese, Nicki .E.; Favot, E.J.; Branstrator, Donn K. et al.)
A key finding: Researchers presented evidence of exoskeletal remains, including mandibles, tail spines, and resting eggs, in 210Pb-dated lake sediment cores, which suggests that B. cederstro ̈mii was already resident in four inland North American lakes (two in Minnesota, USA; two in Ontario, Canada) by at least the early 1900s.
Species distribution models for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil highlight the importance of data quality and limitations of discrimination accuracy metrics. Ecology and Evolution. (Thomas, Shyam; Verhoeven, Michael; Walsh, Jake; Larkin, Daniel; Hansen, Gretchen)
A key finding: Road density was a strong predictor of Eurasian watermilfoil invasion risk but not abundance.
Lines snag spines! A field test of recreational angling gear ensnarement of Bythotrephes. Lake and Reservoir Management. (Branstrator, Donn K.; Dumke, Joshua D.; Brady, Valerie J.; & Wellard Kelly, Holly A.)
A key finding: The shallow angling lines and the downrigger angling line had the greatest mean ensnarement rates (number of Bythotrephes individuals ensnared/transect transit), followed by the downrigger cable and the livewell, followed by the bait bucket and the anchor ropes.