A.23.4. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTIONS 
• Officials are addressing the overwintering of hydrilla and water lettuce in northern areas 
with outreach and education efforts. 
A.23.5. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION USED 
• The 2002 ANS Management Plan includes the following: research on treatment of 
ballast water; surveys of purple loosestrife throughout Michigan; research on the 
practicality of pheromone use as a control for round goby; assessment of impacts of 
round gobies and collection of baseline data on ruffe; and testing for effects of zebra 
mussel on zoobenthos and the diet and growth of yellow perch. 
A.23.6. RESEARCH NEEDS 
• The 2002 ANS Management Plan includes the following: (1) Preventing AIS 
introductions —including monitoring, data for rapid response, probabilities for 
establishment, hot list of potential AIS, boater and angler survey regarding 
implementation methods; (2) Controlling AIS —including use of biocontrol, pesticides, 
physical control, social/political/economic acceptability of control, effectiveness and 
pathways; (3) Researching and monitoring AIS impacts —including potential invasive 
risks of genetically modified aquatic plants and fish to Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems 
and to aquaculture and sport fishing; and (4) Capacity-building —for AIS data and quality 
scientific research by promoting data availability and collaboration among agencies, 
researchers, and industry. 
• Research on the impacts of controls is needed, especially chemical controls. Michigan 
officials aim to conduct a long-term costs/benefits analysis and evaluate the 
environmental impacts of AIS. The officials are interested in whether long-term studies 
will show the weevil beetle to be an effective milfoil biocontrol, as well as the impacts of 
control methods on water quality and ecosystem stability. 
A-64 
