B.3.4.1. Leadership and Coordination 
Strategic Action IA calls for coordination on developing state-specific and regional lists 
of ANS that have the potential to spread to Arizona’s waters. The Management Plan also calls 
for coordination on identifying existing and potential transport pathways. Task IE1 recommends 
assessing these transport mechanisms and developing preventative action plans to interrupt 
pathways. Because species’ abilities to spread and become established also are affected by 
climate, species lists should include aquatic invasive species (AIS) that could be influenced by 
projected climate changes. Transport pathways linked to human activities that could be sensitive 
to climate change also should be considered and assessed. For example, recreational boating 
may increase as climate warms (unless precipitation also decreases), which will provide 
increased transport opportunities for primary species of concern such as zebra mussels. 
B.3.4.2. Prevention 
Strategic Action ID recommends developing and maintaining a monitoring program for 
early detection and prevention of AIS in uninfested watersheds. Accounting for projected effects 
of climate change, such as increased water temperatures and decreased water levels in the 
summer, on both native species’ ability to survive and invasive species’ ability to become 
established, could help state staff more effectively determine which watersheds may be more 
vulnerable to invasion under a changing climate. Additionally, collecting information from 
adjacent states may increase state staffs awareness of climate-related invasive species threats. 
B.3.4.3. Early Detection/Rapid Response, Control, and Management 
See Section 3.4.2. 
B.3.4.4. Research 
Strategic Action IF calls for collaboration among state and federal agencies and academic 
institutions to study and evaluate potential management actions to limit spread of AIS. This 
assessment and evaluation could also examine how management actions could be adapted in the 
context of a changing climate and the predicted impacts for Arizona. 
B-19 
