and establishment, information on ecosystem conditions—e.g., water temperatures, chemical 
composition, and salinity levels, where applicable—should also be monitored and evaluated to 
fully assess invasive-species threats in the context of a changing climate. Any existing or 
planned information systems for AIS should incorporate information on climate change and its 
effects on invasive species (Figure 1-1) and have the ability to be updated with monitoring 
information in order to assess the occurrence of effects (Lee et al., 2008). As more information 
on effects of climate change on AIS becomes available, information systems will require the 
capacity to be updated. Then more targeted research may be done that can provide more specific 
recommendations for AIS management in a changing climate (see also Section 3). 
2.4.7. Adapting Public Education Activities 
Many states conduct public awareness campaigns to inform the public, decision-makers, 
and other stakeholders about ways to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species. 
For example, Nevada’s Lake Tahoe Basin Weed Coordinating Group posts signs and distributes 
information to boaters on boat cleaning and disseminates flyers to alert them about potential AIS 
spread. Similarly, the Utah Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Recreation 
and Division of Wildlife Resources educate boat drivers from areas of known zebra mussel 
infestations, encourage and fund boat washing, and inspect boats for infestations. The programs 
also post public alert signs at major recreational waters, include AlS-information inserts in boat 
re-licensing packets, and print and distribute AIS brochures. 
Modifying outreach and education efforts to incorporate information about climate 
change effects on AIS and their management is another possible management response presented 
in Figure 1-1. State AIS outreach campaigns can use their existing efforts to educate the public 
about new invasive species threats due to climate change. 
2.5. EXAMPLE MANAGEMENT RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE 
States conduct management activities that target a wide variety of AIS. Based on a 
review of the state AIS management programs (see Appendix A, Aquatic Invasive Species 
Programs and Activities: 50-State Summary), the following species were commonly reported as 
problems (five or more states reported the species as a problem): Asian carp species such as 
grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella), zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha ), water hyacinth 
(.Eichhornia crassipes ), hydrilla ( Hydrilla verticillata), purple loosestrife ( Lythrum salicaria ), 
Eurasian water milfoil (. Myriophyllum spicatum), common reed {Phragmites australis), curly leaf 
pondweed ( Potamogeton crispus), giant salvinia ( Salvinia molesta), salt cedar {Tamarix 
ramosissima ), and water chestnut ( Trapa natans). 
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