B.19. OHIO COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR AQUATIC NUISANCE 
SPECIES 
B.19.1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF OHIO’S PLAN 
Ohio’s Department of Natural Resources led the writing team that developed the 
Comprehensive Management Plan for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) (available at 
http://www.anstaskforce.gov/State%20Plans/Ohio%20Comprehensive%20Management%20Plan 
.pdf ). The Management Plan provides a framework for the state’s future approach to ANS 
management and builds support for work plans in development and funding requests. The goal 
of the Management Plan is to decrease the rate of introductions that have increased since the St. 
Lawrence Seaway was established in 1960 and transportation levels in the Great Lakes sky¬ 
rocketed. The Management Plan provides guidance on developing management actions to 
prevent, control, and limit the impacts of established and potential ANS in Ohio’s inland waters. 
B.19.2. CLIMATE CHANGE AND AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES IN OHIO 
Temperatures are projected to increase by 5 tolO°F (2.8 to 5.5°C) in the northern portion 
of Midwest region throughout the 21 st century. Precipitation is expected to increase by 10 to 
30% across the region. Increasing temperatures can increase evaporation, causing soil moisture 
deficits, reduction in lake and river water levels, and more drought-like conditions. For smaller 
lakes and rivers, reduced flows are likely to intensify water quality issues. Eutrophication of 
lakes may 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, such as a shift from cold water fish species, such as trout, to warmer water species, 
like bass and catfish. Warmer water temperatures would create an environment that is more 
susceptible to invasions by non-native species (Easterling and Karl, 2001). If lake water levels 
decrease, more shoreline could become exposed, making this area vulnerable to purple 
loosestrife infestation, which destroys native habitats and can impact bird species. 
B.19.3. THE OHIO PLAN’S CURRENT INTEGRATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE 
Table B-18 summarizes how the Ohio Comprehensive Management Plan addresses and 
incorporates the projected effects of climate change. The Management Plan details Lake Erie’s 
vulnerability to both habitat and trophic changes, as well as how this can lead to more invasive 
species. Although the Management Plan does not contain an implementation plan, it does have a 
framework that could be used to manage waters under a changing climate. 
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