MAISRC Newsletter: March 2023

MARCH 2023

MAISRC NEWSLETTER MINNESOTA AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES RESEARCH CENTER

Amy Schrank and graduate research fellows work with videographer Eve Daniels as part of their project: Enhancing habitat and diversity in cattail-dominated shorelines. You can watch the video here: z.umn.edu/tails

SAVE THE DATE! JUNE 23/24

Join the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center and regional leaders in a two-day workshop about priority aquatic invasive species concerns for North Central Minnesota. Registration will open in April 2023.

More info: z.umn.edu/labtolakes

MARCH 2023

NEW TOOL: PI SURVEY WEB APP In February, MAISRC launched a beta version of its web app dedicated to point-intercept (PI) aquatic plant surveys. These surveys are in-depth efforts to catalog the aquatic plant community of a lake or pond at a point in time, and hundreds of these surveys are conducted around the state every year. As such, they are an incredibly powerful resource for understanding the health and status of our lakes! However, there isn't yet a statewide repository in which the data from these surveys are held and from which they can be viewed.

Building off of foundational work by MAISRC graduate Dr. Michael Verhoeven, our Quantitative Ecologist Alex Bajcz built this web app to allow everyone in the state and beyond to explore the PI survey data MAISRC has already obtained from its community partners and, in the event that they have records to contribute, to submit new data! z.umn.edu/PICharter

NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS MAISRC recently announced the launch of six new research projects. These projects were selected as part of a competitive proposal process following a comprehensive research needs assessment conducted by MAISRC. The results of these projects will lead to better prevention of aquatic invasive species and improved management of Minnesota’s resources, including the species impacted by AIS. The projects include research into the protection of wild rice from AIS, the effects of carp on greenhouses gas emissions amid climate change, and educational messaging for the public to stop the spread of AIS. You can read more about our new projects here: z.umn.edu/PR_newprojects One harvester pushes a canoe through the rice and the other knocks the grains into the canoe with sticks.

Bowstring River, near Inger, Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota. Credit: Phil Schermeister Getty Images

MARCH 2023

FUNDING: MINNESOTA INVASIVE TERRESTRIAL The Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center is currently accepting proposals for new research studies PLANTS AND PESTS CENTER on invasive terrestrial species. The proposals they receive over the next few months will shape the future of invasive pests and plant research for years to come. University of Minnesota faculty, staff, postdocs, and graduate students are eligible to apply.

The RFP will be open until April 30, 2023. Full details are available at: z.umn.edu/mitppc-funding

EVENT: COMMON CARP: RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION On Thursday, March 16, 2023, MAISRC hosted a daylong workshop at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for Minnesota agency staff to gain a deeper understanding of the impacts of common carp, and the potential for carp management using new technologies, research, and an integrated pest management approach.

Over 75 attendees contributed valuable ideas and input that will be compiled into an upcoming report. Special thanks to the planning committee, presenters, and MAISRC's Meg Duhr for your leadership!

MARCH 2023

HIGHLIGHTED PUBLICATION Donn Branstrator and Heidi Rantala led an effort to understand the impacts of two invasive species (zebra mussel and spiny water flea, SWF), that had simultaneous increases in population, to water clarity in Lake Mille Lacs. Zebra mussels are well known to increase water clarity through their filtering activity. There is evidence that spiny water flea decreases water clarity in some systems by consuming the native grazing zooplankton. They found that SWF decreased the native zooplankton community and their filtering capacity, but that zebra mussel filtering was approximately equal to that of the Nine zooplankton/chlorophyll a sampling stations (green native zooplankton prior to their circles), 18 zebra mussel transect locations (black crosses), and decline, resulting in no net change of 21 water clarity stations (blue circles) were widely distributed summertime water clarity in the lake. across the lake. The depth contour lines (gray) are at 1.5 m z.umn.edu/zm-swf

intervals.

MAISRC'S MISSION Created in 2012 through funds from the Minnesota legislature, the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center's mission is to develop research-based solutions that can reduce the impacts of aquatic invasive species in Minnesota by preventing spread, controlling populations, and managing ecosystems; and to advance knowledge to inspire action by others.

Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center 135 Skok Hall

Donate: 612-624-3333 | z.umn.edu/MAISRCgift

2003 Upper Buford Circle

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St. Paul, MN 55108-6074

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email: maisrc@umn.edu

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