What Makes a Species Invasive?
In Wisconsin, an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a non-native species (plant, animal, or organism) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
With over 1,129 lakes and rivers in Oneida County, our water resources are a large part of our lifestyle and AIS are a growing risk to our valuable water resources. The introduction of one (1) single AIS can have the potential to negatively impact native habitats, ecosystems services, fisheries, wildlife, recreational opportunities, waterfront property values, water-related business and industries, human health, and how we enjoy or time on the water. Furthermore, managing AIS comes with a hefty price tag and cost the Unites States billions of dollars each year.
Unfortunately, several of Wisconsin’s Regulated NR40 AIS have made their way into Oneida County's lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, wetlands, and even roadside ditches. These species include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, aquatic forget-me-not, non-native phragmites, banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, and rusty crayfish.
Species within their native range are not invasive because they have predators, competitors, parasites, and pathogens that create checks and balances. However, when a non-native species enters a new environment, that species is free from the checks and balances of its native range. Non-native species are labeled “invasive” if they: grow and reproduce quickly, spread aggressively, dominate native species, alter the ecological relationship and function among native species, and have the potential to cause economic harm or harm to human health.
Not all AIS in the United States have come from another country. For example, lake trout are native to the Great Lakes were introduced in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming and area considered an AIS because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat.
For many centuries, humans have contributed, both intentionally and unintentionally, to the introduction and spread of invasive species around the globe.
Examples of Intentional Introductions
Examples of Unintentional Introductions
Wisconsin’s AIS Strategies
Activities that Prevent the Spread of AIS
Prevention
It’s everyone’s job to help prevent the spread of AIS. Whether you are a boater, angler, paddler, seaplane pilot, water gardener/pond owner, nursery owner, aquarium enthusiast or even a teacher, you have an important role to play in keeping our waterbodies free of AIS.
Follow the law: Before launching and when leaving a waterbody, you must
INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading and before transporting on a public highway).
DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions*
*You may take leftover minnows away from any state waterbody and use them again on that same waterbody. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to their container.
To view AIS distribution in Wisconsin, please visit https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives/Monitoring.aspx
In Wisconsin, an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) is a non-native species (plant, animal, or organism) whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
With over 1,129 lakes and rivers in Oneida County, our water resources are a large part of our lifestyle and AIS are a growing risk to our valuable water resources. The introduction of one (1) single AIS can have the potential to negatively impact native habitats, ecosystems services, fisheries, wildlife, recreational opportunities, waterfront property values, water-related business and industries, human health, and how we enjoy or time on the water. Furthermore, managing AIS comes with a hefty price tag and cost the Unites States billions of dollars each year.
Unfortunately, several of Wisconsin’s Regulated NR40 AIS have made their way into Oneida County's lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, wetlands, and even roadside ditches. These species include curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian watermilfoil, flowering rush, purple loosestrife, yellow iris, aquatic forget-me-not, non-native phragmites, banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, and rusty crayfish.
Species within their native range are not invasive because they have predators, competitors, parasites, and pathogens that create checks and balances. However, when a non-native species enters a new environment, that species is free from the checks and balances of its native range. Non-native species are labeled “invasive” if they: grow and reproduce quickly, spread aggressively, dominate native species, alter the ecological relationship and function among native species, and have the potential to cause economic harm or harm to human health.
Not all AIS in the United States have come from another country. For example, lake trout are native to the Great Lakes were introduced in Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming and area considered an AIS because they compete with native cutthroat trout for habitat.
For many centuries, humans have contributed, both intentionally and unintentionally, to the introduction and spread of invasive species around the globe.
Examples of Intentional Introductions
- Releasing unused fishing bait
- Stocking sport fish outside their native range
- Releasing unwanted aquarium and water garden plants, fish, and animals into a waterbody
- Introducing non-native species for management (bio-control, ecosystem engineering)
Examples of Unintentional Introductions
- Boats, trailers, and equipment
- Moving watercraft from waterbody to waterbody without removing plants, animals, sand, mud and draining water.
- Fishing and waterfowl hunting gear, clothing, and boots
- Ballast water discharge
- Escaped ornamental plants
- Escape of organisms from hatcheries and aquaculture facilities.
- Contaminated plant nursery stock can also act as a vehicle to transport many invasive insect and pathogen species
Wisconsin’s AIS Strategies
- Prevent the spread of AIS into new waterbodies
- Contain the spread of AIS within the waterbody,
- Control existing populations of AIS to minimize harmful impacts, and
- Organize strategies and actions by “invasion pathways”. Pathways are the ways AIS arrives in the state and spread around the state.
Activities that Prevent the Spread of AIS
- Education and outreach
- Clean Boats, Clean Water Watercraft Inspection program
- Monitoring
- Response to new infestations
- AIS Containment to keep if from further spread
- Control and management actions to minimize the impact
- Agency partnerships and collaboration
- Regulation and enforcement
- Research
Prevention
It’s everyone’s job to help prevent the spread of AIS. Whether you are a boater, angler, paddler, seaplane pilot, water gardener/pond owner, nursery owner, aquarium enthusiast or even a teacher, you have an important role to play in keeping our waterbodies free of AIS.
Follow the law: Before launching and when leaving a waterbody, you must
INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
REMOVE any attached aquatic plants or animals (before launching, after loading and before transporting on a public highway).
DRAIN all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Use leftover minnows only under certain conditions*
*You may take leftover minnows away from any state waterbody and use them again on that same waterbody. You may use leftover minnows on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to their container.
To view AIS distribution in Wisconsin, please visit https://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/invasives/Monitoring.aspx