B.26.4. INCORPORATING CLIMATE CHANGE INFORMATION 
Given the projected effects of climate change for Wisconsin, the Management Plan 
should incorporate climate change considerations when revising the Plan to improve prevention 
and management strategies. 
B.26.4.1. Leadership and Coordination 
The Management Plan describes that partnerships with interstate and international groups 
will be formed to promote consistent regional approaches to aquatic invasive species (AIS) 
management. Strategy II E also calls for working with partners to improve coordination efforts 
on AIS. Because a species’ ability to spread is affected in part by climate, state staff should 
consider changes in water and air temperatures when assessing invasion threats and developing 
management strategies. 
B.26.4.2. Prevention 
Goal I calls for the implementation of procedures and practices to prevent new 
introductions of AIS into Lakes Michigan and Superior, the state’s boundary waters, and inland 
water systems. The Management Plan focuses its prevention strategies on primary vectors 
including the sale and distribution of bait, the aquaculture and aquarium industries, and ballast 
water discharges. Warming waters, altered hydrology, and nutrient level changes may affect the 
ability of certain aquarium species or bait fish to survive and become established in Wisconsin’s 
waters. Incorporating these climate change considerations into prevention strategies may 
improve their success. 
B.26.4.3. Early Detection/Rapid Response, Control, and Management 
Goal II of the Management Plan calls for implementing of management strategies that 
limit the spread of established AIS into uninfested waters. State staff should consider how 
control strategies may be affected by climate change and adjust them accordingly. For example, 
current control methods for an AIS restricted to a small part of the state may be effective in 
preventing its spread. However, as water temperatures warm that AIS’ invasive potential could 
increase. Furthermore, monitoring should incorporate climate change considerations to ensure 
that the appropriate species and introduction points are targeted during early detection activities. 
B.26.4.4. Research 
The Management Plan does not specifically address research needs, except for ballast 
water technologies. Any research on the invasion pathway and potential AIS should also 
consider the implications of climate change on the pathway and species. 
B-88 
