Community Stewardship Projects on Exotic Aquatic Species

摘要

Exotic aquatic invaders are impacting waterways throughout North America. These invasive species, which range from zebra mussels to green crab to nutria, have had serious ecological and socio-economic impacts from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic to Pacific oceansand rivers and lakes in between. Purple loosestrife, water hyacinth, and hydrilla are just a few examples of non-native aquatic plants that are choking waterways, hampering wetlands, and creating great disturbances in the native flora and fauna. Sea Grant outreach staff members have acquired a good understanding of boaters and anglers knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes about exotic aquatic species, especially related to how these species affect the environment and what role people can play to improve the situation. Through interactions with the public at boat shows and fishing events it has become apparent that many people are not well informed about the numerous impacts and what steps they can take as individuals to prevent further spread of these species into new bodies of water. Exotic Aquatics on the Move is a national Sea Grant education project that was developed to teach educators and their students about the ecological impacts of exotics and how these students and members of their community can make environmentally responsible decisions to help prevent the spread and transport of exotic species. One important objective of this project was to facilitate community awareness of these invasive species and improve understanding of how they affect humans and how humans affect their dispersal and population distribution.