Announcing nine new research projects!

MAISRC is excited to announce nine new research projects that are launching this summer. These projects were selected as part of a competitive proposal process following a comprehensive research needs assessment. The results of these projects will improve our ability to detect, prevent, and manage aquatic invasive species throughout Minnesota. The projects include:

• Developing carp removal schemes using social learning behaviors
  This project will develop a new way to effectively remove invasive common carp from Minnesota lakes by selectively attracting them with food and removing them with specialized nets, while also taking into account their social behaviors. Led by Przemek Bajer.
  
  
• Historical analyses of spiny waterflea invasion patterns
  Now that research has indicated that spiny waterflea have been in some Minnesota lakes much longer than originally thought, this project will test key hypotheses about the relationships between spiny waterflea invasion and the response to ecological, economical, and recreational services provided by Minnesota lakes. Led by Donn Branstrator.
  
  
• AIS impacts on walleye populations and mercury concentrations
  This project will assess the impacts of zebra mussels on walleye in Minnesota lakes, and will identify lakes that are most vulnerable to negative impacts based on recruitment, food web dynamics, and mercury concentrations. Led by Gretchen Hansen.
  
  
• Field validation of multibeam sonar zebra mussel detection
  This project will include field validation of laboratory results that test the utility of a swath mapping system -- multibeam sonar -- for detecting and quantifying the presence and abundance of zebra mussels at large scales. Led by Jessica Kozarek.
  
  
• Impacts of invader removal on native vegetation recovery
  This project will evaluate the ability of invasive aquatic plant control efforts to lead to recovery of native aquatic plant communities. Led by Dan Larkin.
  
  
• Genetics to improve hybrid and Eurasian watermilfoil management
  This project will identify potentially problematic genotypes of hybrid watermilfoil and begin to test these genotypes for herbicidal response. Led by Ray Newman.
  
  
• Evaluating innovative coatings to suppress priority AIS
  This project will test and develop a new coating that can be applied to equipment surfaces in order to decrease the spread of zebra mussels. Led by Mikael Elias.
  
  
• Will property values cool as AIS heat up?
  This project will evaluate the economic impacts of Eurasian watermilfoil on property values as well as quantify the role of water temperature and other lake characteristics in determining Eurasian watermilfoil abundance. Led by Gretchen Hansen.
  
  
• Evaluation of koi herpesvirus for use as a potential biocontrol agent for common carp in Minnesota
  After detecting koi herpesvirus in numerous mass mortalities of carp with no apparent effect on native species, this project will now evaluate its potential safety and efficacy as a biocontrol agent. Led by Nick Phelps.