Plan. Climate change-related data, criteria, and models could be incorporated into some of the 
Strategic Actions outlined in the Management Plan. 
B.2.4.1. Leadership and Coordination 
Strategic Action 2A1 calls for coordination and development of action plans for current 
high priority species or pathways. The action item also calls for coordination on preparing risk 
assessments to determine additional ANS priority threats. Because species’ abilities to spread 
are affected in part by climate, action plans should incorporate projected changes in water and air 
temperatures in risk assessments. Invasion pathways linked to human activities also may be 
sensitive to climate change. For example, recreational boating may increase as the climate 
warms, which will provide additional invasive species transport opportunities. Therefore, action 
plans addressing pathways should also incorporate information on climate-change effects. 
B.2.4.2. Prevention 
Strategic Action 2A3 recommends that Alaska prohibit, control, or permit the importation 
of non-native aquatic species based on their invasive potential. Criteria used to identify 
potentially invasive species should account for projected changes in temperature, nutrient 
availability, hydrology, and other climate change-related ecological impacts that could modify 
potential habitat for invasive species previously limited by these factors. 
B.2.4.3. Early Detection/Rapid Response, Control, and Management 
Strategic Action 3A1, designed to detect, monitor, contain, reduce, or eradicate 
populations of ANS as quickly as possible, calls for monitoring waters vulnerable to new ANS 
introductions and tracking existing populations’ distributions. Considering climate change in 
these assessments may help determine which waters are vulnerable to species invasions. 
Monitoring data from neighboring states may also allow state staff to track invasive species 
spreading in response to climate change. 
B.2.4.4. Research 
Strategic Action 5A1 recommends an assessment of risks posed to human health, 
ecosystems, and the economy by ANS introductions. The Management Plan recommends 
characterizing resources and habitats containing ecological communities that are highly sensitive 
to invasion. Incorporating climate-change effects into these assessments may strengthen their 
results. 
B-16 
