B.4.4.1. Leadership and Coordination 
The Management Plan’s “Coordinate Beyond Connecticut” (5.1.C) section recognizes 
that jurisdictional boundaries do not necessarily apply when managing ANS. Strategies related 
to regional coordination provide an excellent opportunity for information sharing about changing 
conditions that could allow species to move between habitats. 
B.4.4.2. Prevention 
Objective 3 in Chapter 5 of the Management Plan outlines prevention actions. The Plan 
recognizes that the most likely aquatic invasive species (AIS) introductions have already 
occurred in other Northeast states. When identifying likely species to establish, effects of 
climate change should be considered. 
B.4.4.3. Early Detection/Rapid Response, Control, and Management 
The keystone of the Connecticut ANS Plan relies on an expanded monitoring strategy 
that will allow for the early detection of new infestations, as well as monitoring of existing ANS 
populations. Monitoring strategies should incorporate climate change information in order to 
detect species that may arrive in the state’s habitats as a result of changing conditions. 
Considering climate change may increase the effectiveness of early detection/rapid response 
protocols. Furthermore, regional efforts may become more effective as states document AIS 
populations, allowing species-specific, rapid response protocols to be developed. Control of 
existing ANS also may be more effective if changes in water temperature and precipitation 
patterns are considered. 
B.4.4.4. Research 
Objective 7 in Chapter 5 of Conneticut’s ANS Mangement Plan describes a research 
strategy that may be modified according to changes in ANS populations. The effects of climate 
change on Long Island Sound and the state’s inland waterways and aquatic habitats should be 
included as a research priority. The Management Plan also requires the on-going designation of 
priority species using “improved knowledge of ANS distribution and impacts.” When 
designating priorities, state staff should also consider climate-change effects on species 
distributions. 
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