October 2021 newsletter

 

Research Partnership Awards
The first ever cohort of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center's Partnership Awards were announced at our 2021 Research and Management Showcase. The awards recognize people, groups, and organizations who have gone above and beyond to contribute to MAISRC's mission of advancing aquatic invasive species knowledge and inspiring action to protect and restore Minnesota's beloved waters. Meet the winners.

New Field Work Map
Explore an interactive map of MAISRC's work across Minnesota. Zoom in to see what we've been working on near you! View >


Anti-biofouling coating
Can a paint additive prevent zebra mussels from settling on boats, docks, and other structures? Our researchers are working to find the answers. Watch the video to learn more. Watch >


Starry Trek 2021
Curious what volunteers found at this year's event? Get all the stats and an event summary. (Hint: it's good news!) More >


AIS Detectors Webinar
Join us on Nov. 3, 2021 at noon as Dr. Ranjan Muthukrishnan presents his research on starry stonewort, its response to climate change, and optimal management approaches. Register >


AIS Detector Recognition
AIS Detectors volunteered a total of 2,941 hours toward the prevention and detection of aquatic invasive species across Minnesota this year. More >


MAISRC Website Revamp
The MAISRC website has a new look and layout. Explore information on aquatic invasive species and our latest research projects.


Recent Publications
Complete Data for: Desiccation tolerance of the invasive alga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) as an indicator of overland spread riskData Repository for the U of M. Wesley J. Glisson, Carli K. Wagner, Michael R. Verhoeven, Ranjan Muthukrishnan, Rafael Contreras-Rangel, and Daniel J. Larkin.

  • A key finding: Overall, starry stonewort appears less tolerant of desiccation than other invasive macrophytes that have been evaluated, which comprise vascular plants rather than Characean algae.


Invasive Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) has distinct late-season phenology compared to native and other invasive macrophytes in Minnesota, USAAquatic Botany. Wesley J. Glisson, Ranjan Muthukrishnan, and Carli K.Wagner.

  • A key finding: Late-season growth of N. obtusa poses challenges for timing control efforts, as early-season treatments may be limited to avoid harming native species. Treatment during peak biomass, before peak bulbil abundance, may improve control.


An ensonified bubble curtain blocks 4 species of invasive carp in a laboratory flume but also deters other fish, while sound alone is less effective overall and does not target carpBiological Invasions. Jane R. Feely and Peter Sorensen.

  • A key finding: The ensonified bubble curtain blocked all four carps 92-97% of the time without habituation, but five native fish were also partially blocked. In contrast, sound alone only blocked 2 carps and affected the other fishes in ways not related to their hearing abilities.


Optimizing the location of watercraft inspection stations to slow the spread of aquatic invasive speciesBiological Invasions. Robert G. Haight, Amy C. Kinsley, Szu-Yu Kao, Denys Yemshanov, Nicholas B. D. Phelps.

  • A key finding: To facilitate program design, the study developed an integer programming model for allocation of scarce inspection resources among lakes. The model uses species-specific infestation status of lakes and estimates of boat movement between lakes. 

From the Field
MAISRC Graduate Fellow, Brendan Nee (foreground), counts fish in a trap on Big Marine Lake in Washington County in early August 2021. In the background, MAISRC Graduate Fellow, Michael Tuma and Research Outreach Specialist, Meg Duhr look on. The team is working to quantify and clarify whether or not hybrid/narrowleaf cattail removal can increase plant diversity and benefit fish communities in nearshore lake ecosystems and how these effects vary regionally in Minnesota. The project is led by Dr. Amy Schrank. 

Funding for MAISRC is provided by: