Scientific research, development of models and predictors, and data collection should be 
conducted in order to provide managers with the tools and information they need to conduct 
effective prevention, control, and eradication of AIS. Information needs include both immediate 
data needs and long-term research to better understand the complex interactions between climate 
change and aquatic invasions. 
Below we summarize five recommendations that are designed to maintain and improve 
state AIS management programs and activities in a changing climate. For each recommendation, 
it will be important for states to consider how to collect data, test hypotheses, and record results; 
how to change their management plans; and how to coordinate action to move forward on each 
recommendation. Using an adaptive-management framework will make these recommendations 
easier to implement as states address climate change. 
4.1. INCORPORATING CLIMATE INTO AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES 
LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION ACTIVITIES 
Invasive-species councils, or lead state agencies in the absence of councils, can 
incorporate climate considerations into their management plans. This might be initiated by 
conducting facilitated meetings and/or workshops to identify specific management strategies and 
research needs to inform management strategies. State councils also could work with one 
another to share information on climate-related data across regions. Coordination and 
information sharing among states will also facilitate the implementation of activities that are 
adapted to climate change effects. State and federal agencies also could collaborate in areas such 
as AIS data collection, specifically where the spatial scale of the biological and environmental 
data needed by the federal government may be more efficiently collected by a state. In turn, the 
data provided to the federal government by states may be used in modeling scenarios that also 
would benefit state AIS management efforts. 
4.2. IDENTIFYING AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES THREATS UNDER CHANGING 
CONDITIONS 
In order to effectively prevent invasions that might result from or be influenced by 
climate-change factors, a first step should be to identify specific AIS threats, including new 
pathways and vectors, which may result as environmental conditions such as water and air 
temperatures, precipitation patterns, or sea levels change. In implementing this step, the initial 
focus should be placed on state priority AIS. Coordination among states to share information on 
species and pathways will aid in data collection and implementation of prevention activities. 
State collaboration could be carried out through regular meetings between invasive-species 
councils and/or agency AIS personnel. 
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