B.8. INDIANA AQUATIC NUISANCE SPECIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 
B.8.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF INDIANA’S PLAN 
The Indiana Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Management Plan was written by the 
Indiana Department of Natural Resources and posted in 2003 (available at 
http://www.in.gov/dnr/invasivespecies/inansmanagementplan.htmn . The Management Plan has 
three main goals to (1) prevent aquatic invasive species (AIS) introductions, (2) limit the spread 
of established AIS, and (3) reduce impacts of established AIS. The Plan also outlines strategies 
for state and local government agencies and concerned community and research organizations to 
control AIS infestations in a safe and effective manner. No comprehensive survey of the AIS 
populations in Indiana has been conducted to date, and so the Plan emphasizes building a 
foundation of information as a priority. Guiding principles for the Management Plan include 
strong leadership, provision of resources and state staff, illustration of economic and 
environmental damages due to AIS, and implementation at all levels of government. 
B.8.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN INDIANA 
Temperatures are projected to increase by 5 tolO°F (2.8 to 5.5°C) in the Midwest region 
throughout the 21 st century. Precipitation is expected to increase by approximately 10 to 30% 
across the region. Increasing temperatures are expected to increase evaporation, triggering a soil 
moisture deficit, reduction in lake and river levels, and more drought-like conditions in much of 
the region. For smaller lakes and rivers, reduced flows are likely to intensify water quality 
issues. In particular, eutrophication of lakes will likely increase due to increases in excess 
nutrient runoff from heavy precipitation events and warmer lake temperatures that stimulate 
algae growth (Easterling and Karl, 2001). 
As water temperatures in lakes increase, significant changes in freshwater ecosystems 
will occur. For example, a shift from cold-water fish species such as trout, to warmer water 
species, like bass and catfish could take place. Warmer waters also may create an environment 
that is more susceptible to invasions by non-native species (Easterling and Karl, 2001). 
B.8.3. THE INDIANA PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE 
Table B-7 summarizes how the Indiana ANS Management Plan addresses and 
incorporates the predicted effects of climate change. The Indiana Management Plan includes a 
broad array of preventative actions, but it does not specifically address how climate change may 
affect AIS or associated management strategies. 
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