News from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center

View this email in your browser

Hello from the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center!

A couple of months ago, we issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to address Minnesota’s highest priority research needs to prevent, control, and manage aquatic invasive species. This is our third competitive RFP, open to all Minnesota-based researchers and their collaborators. This process has served the state well, as it focuses research on high-priority needs and evaluates the quality of the science to ensure the best bang for the research buck.

This year, we received 20 proposals requesting a total of $4.2 million – both new records! This was a good new, bad news situation. It was amazing to see the innovation, creativity and value proposed by many of the researchers and I wanted to support many more than we could.

Keep reading . . .

Research on starry stonewort treatments informs management efforts

A forthcoming paper from MAISRC researchers and their collaborators will help inform starry stonewort management efforts in Minnesota lakes. Researchers found that mechanical and algaecide treatments greatly reduced starry stonewort biomass, but that bulbils – small, star-shaped structures that can regenerate into new plants – remained viable after treatment.

The project consisted of both field and lab work to evaluate the effects of mechanical and algaecide treatments on starry stonewort biomass, bulbil density, and bulbil viability. Researchers examined several areas of the lake that had undergone different treatments, including a channel that was mechanically harvested, an area that was treated only with algaecide, and an area that was first mechanically harvested and then treated with algaecide.

Keep reading . . .

New research findings support use of biocontrol for common carp

A team of MAISRC researchers recently completed first-of-their-kind experiments on the use of bluegill sunfish for the biocontrol of common carp. They found that bluegill predation had a significant effect on common carp recruitment and that bluegills could be harnessed to reduce carp’s reproductive success. While previous evidence had suggested this possibility, it had never before been tested experimentally in natural lake systems.

Bluegills already naturally control carp in some lakes by consuming their eggs and larvae. But because bluegills often don’t live in marshes due to winterkill, carp have learned to migrate there to spawn. This research set out to evaluate whether increasing bluegill populations throughout the year, using tactics like aeration, would limit carp populations.

Keep reading . . .

Become an AIS Detector in 2018

If you’re looking for a fun way to get involved with your community and help protect area lakes, consider joining the AIS Detectors program this spring. The program was created by the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center and University of Minnesota Extension, and trains participants in:

The basics of aquatic ecology
AIS identification, impacts, and biology
Minnesota rules and regulations
Preventing the spread of AIS
Reporting possible invasions

Upon completing the training, participants are equipped to volunteer around the state and make a difference in the areas of citizen science, outreach and education, stewardship, and support of AIS programs.

Keep reading . . .

Save the date for Starry Trek: August 18, 2018!

Join us for a day searching for one of Minnesota's newest aquatic invasive species, starry stonewort (and other invaders). Starry stonewort is an invasive algae that was first found in Lake Koronis in 2015 and has since spread to 11 Minnesota lakes (learn more about starry stonewort and our research here). Now we are asking for your help in searching other lakes to better understand its distribution in Minnesota. Watch for more details at www.StarryTrek.org.

AIS Research and Management Showcase

Mark your calendars for the 2018 Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research and Management Showcase: Wednesday, September 12. Learn all about the exciting work going on at MAISRC on this day filled with informative talks, hands-on demos, lab tours, a reception, and more. This is your best opportunity to learn about the latest findings in AIS research, useful management tools, and get an inside peek into our state-of-the-art lab. Further details are registration information will be posted on our website.

Support MAISRC on its fifth anniversary

Did you hear the news? The Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center just marked its fifth anniversary! To celebrate, we put together a comprehensive report on research findings, key accomplishments, and the future of AIS research – check it out here. As you’ll see, incremental steps are beginning to lead to big wins.

It’s been an exciting five years of research accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see what our researchers discover next. If you’re fired up by what we’ve accomplished in our first five years, show your support with a gift today. We need all hands on deck in this effort. Thank you!

Facebook

Twitter

Website