Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID WI_2025_VanderZanden

Can native predators control the abundance and impact of aquatic invasive species?

Institute: Wisconsin
USGS Grant Number:
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-08-01 End Date: 2029-07-31
Total Federal Funds: $341,086 Total Non-Federal Funds: $341,086

Principal Investigators: Jake Vander Zanden

Project Summary: Aquatic species invasions are accelerating globally, and can have dramatic effects, though in some cases their impacts dampen over time. Here we propose studies in Lakes Mendota and Monona in Madison, WI aimed at: 1) assessing whether invasive spiny water flea have impacted native fishes, 2) determining whether predation by native fishes has reduced the abundance/impact of invasive spiny water flea, and 3) assessing whether changing fisheries regulations can be a tool for invasive species control. Our proposed work addresses general issues related to how invasives are affected by predator-prey interactions and have implications for our understanding of invasive species impact and control in a changing environment.