Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2021IL002AIS

Enemy of My Enemy?: Ecohydraulic Assessment of Interactions of Multiple Invasive Species in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Institute: Illinois
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2021 Start Date: 2021-09-01 End Date: 2024-08-31
Total Federal Funds: $238,013 Total Non-Federal Funds: $238,013

Principal Investigators: Rafael O. Tinoco

Project Summary: There is a rapid growing literature on aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the United States. Focused biological and physical studies of each species have revealed potential ways to monitor and deter their spread in protected waters. Given the large number and broad diversity of problematic species in the Upper Mississippi River basin, a more holistic assessment is needed to account for the interactions among species and the ecosystem health. Our study will evaluate how the presence of (i) a given invasive species and (ii) the mitigation strategies for such species can affect the shortand long-term spread and establishment of other invasive species. By focusing on the hydrodynamic, morphodynamic, and water quality effects of various types of AIS: macrophytes, fish, and mollusks, we can develop a framework to assess three priorities of the program: (a) improve our understanding of their impact on lakes and rivers including water quality and ecosystem dynamics, (b) identify lake and river characteristics that infer resistance and resilience to their establishment, and (c) guide management decisions that will improve water resources at the regional scale.