A.11.6. RESEARCH NEEDS 
• Interstate communication to prevent travel across borders with illegal exotic species is 
needed. 
• Access to taxonomists is needed to correctly identify and learn about species. 1 
• Official state program on invasive species that includes a systematic control approach and 
organized response needs to be developed. 
• Better ways of communicating with the public about invasive species needs to be 
developed. 
• More information about control and capture methods and the ecological impacts of 
invasive species needs to be collected. 
• More herbicide options and ways to expedite the registration process for new herbicides 
need to explored. 
• An investigation of the human dimension of AIS introductions (i.e., intentional actions 
such as aquarium dumping, stocking or relocation and unintentional actions such as 
escapes of water garden species or use of invasives in landscaping and ornamental 
projects) needs to be conducted. 
• The effectiveness of AIS outreach and education efforts as a means of modifying 
behavior (i.e., decreased releases and increased reporting) needs to be evaluated. 
• Ecological and economic impacts of invasive non-native aquatic plant species in Georgia 
needs to be evaluated. 
• Biological or alternative control methods for flathead catfish in south Georgia need to be 
identified. 
• Efficacy of containment, control, or eradication activities for Asian swamp eels is 
needed. 
• Early detection and surveillance plans coupled with response protocols should be 
developed. 
• Database and GIS systems need to be developed with emphasis on interagency/interstate 
data sharing and user-friendly public access or report generating capabilities. 
• Efficacy of channeled applesnail (CAS) control methods and techniques needs to be 
improved. 
1 Since the research was completed for this analysis, the need for a database of taxonomists has been fulfilled (see 
ANS Task Force Experts Database at http://www.anstaskforce.gov/experts/search.phpV 
A-36 
