Impacts of aquatic nonindigenous invasive species on the Lake Erie ecosystem

Madeline J.W. Austen; Jan J.H. Ciborowski; Lynda D. Corkum; Tim B. Johnson; Hugh J. MacIsaac; Janice L. Metcalfe-Smith; Donald W. Schloesser; Sandra E. George

Impacts of aquatic nonindigenous invasive species on the Lake Erie ecosystem

By: Madeline J.W. Austen, Jan J.H. Ciborowski, Lynda D. Corkum, Tim B. Johnson, Hugh J. MacIsaac, Janice L. Metcalfe-Smith, Donald W. Schloesser, and Sandra E. George

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Abstract

Lake Erie is particularly vulnerable to the introduction and establishment of aquatic nonindigenous invasive species (NIS) populations. A minimum of 144 aquatic NIS have been recorded in the Lake Erie basin including several species [e.g., Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum); zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha); quagga mussel (Dreissena bugensis); an amphipod (Echinogammarus ischnus); round goby (Neogobius melanostomus); and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)] that have had discernible impacts on the lake's ecology. NIS pose threats to the Lake Erie ecosystem for a variety of reasons including their ability to proliferate quickly, compete with native species, and transfer contaminants (e.g., PCBs) and disease through the food web. Six of the 14 beneficial use impairments listed in Annex 2 of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement are impaired in Lake Erie, in part as a result of the introduction of NIS. The Lake Erie Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) has adopted an ecosystem approach to restore beneficial use impairments in the lake. Furthermore, a research consortium, known as the Lake Erie Millennium Network, is working alongside the LaMP, to address research problems regarding NIS, the loss of habitat, and the role of contaminants in the Lake Erie ecosystem.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Conference Paper
Publication Subtype	Conference Paper
Title	Impacts of aquatic nonindigenous invasive species on the Lake Erie ecosystem
Year Published	2002
Language	English
Publisher	The Professional Edge
Contributing office(s)	Great Lakes Science Center
Description	14 p.
Larger Work Type	Conference Paper
Larger Work Subtype	Conference Paper
Larger Work Title	Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
First page	117
Last page	130
Conference Title	11th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species
Conference Location	Alexandria, VA
Conference Date	February 25-28, 2002
Online Only (Y/N)	N
Additional Online Files (Y/N)	N
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page