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Risk Assessment and Management of Great Lakes Invasive Species

Year Awarded: 2006
Awarded: $1,090,000
Team Leader:  University of Notre Dame
Tel: 574-631-6094
Email: lodge.1@nd.edu

This team studied all 6,651 ports of the world, providing the scientific basis for assessing the invasion risk of vessels entering the Great Lakes based on ports they have previously visited. It combined this information with the Nature Conservancy’s global dataset on invasive species to predict future invaders to the Great Lakes. The team also accelerated the development of rapid genetic tests to determine the content of ballast tanks and created methods to identify the best places and strategies to stop the spread of AIS beyond the Great Lakes. The Wisconsin DNR used the team’s findings to direct state money and design management strategies to reduce rates of invasion among lakes. The team shared their findings with the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual conference, the International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Indiana and Wisconsin DNRs, the U.S. EPA’s Great Lakes National Program Office and the Army Corps of Engineers.