B. 11.4. INCORPORATING CLIMATE CHANGE INFORMATION 
Given the effects of climate change projected for Louisiana, staff should consider climate 
change in its AIS management strategies. Climate change-related data, criteria, and models 
could be incorporated into some aspects of the State Management Plan for AIS in Louisiana. 
B.l 1.4.1. Leadership and Coordination 
State staff could incorporate climate considerations into the Management Plan’s first 
objective, coordination of AIS management activities or programs and collaboration with other 
programs. Coordination with regional, national, and international efforts could involve 
monitoring how climate change alters the range and spread of AIS to better guide prevention 
efforts and communicating with neighboring regions to identify encroaching species ranges. 
B.l 1.4.2. Prevention 
Action 11 under Objective 2, which pertains to education on AIS and pathways, calls for 
support for the ongoing development of the Vulnerability Index for Invasive Species in 
Southeastern Louisiana, a geographic information system (GlS)-based index and visualization of 
vectors. The Vulnerability Index currently is an educational tool but could help state staff 
identify sensitive areas susceptible to invasion. This Vulnerability Index could incorporate 
projected changes affecting habitat, such as temperature and precipitation fluctuations, to 
improve predictions. 
B.l 1.4.3. Early Detection/Rapid Response, Control, and Management 
Action 3 under Objective 3, which relates to early detection/rapid response, calls for the 
development of a “Big River” monitoring program to detect and assess AIS introductions, their 
movement within the state, and potential for establishment. Assessing species’ potential for 
establishment should account for projected changes in habitat that may occur as a result of 
climate change. Action 9 under Objective 3 proposes the development of a GIS database of 
invasive species ranges, habitats, and other relevant geographical data. The incorporation of 
climate change data into this database would inform any modeling based on these data. 
B.l 1.4.4. Research 
Although research is not a specific objective in the Management Plan, research activities 
are incorporated throughout, particularly in the development of GIS-based tools, monitoring 
programs, and modeling of range expansions. Incorporating climate change considerations into 
these activities could improve their long-term efficacy and predictions. 
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