Introduction

Introduction Invasion Vectors Ballast Water Ballast Water Management Ecological Effects Economic Effects Example Species Sea Lamprey Zebra Mussel Round Goby Asian Carp Laws and Policies What Can be Done? References Biology 217 Home Duke Home
	NASA
	The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence basin contains 20% of the world’s surface freshwater. The lakes span eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces and represent an important resource for drinking water, power production, irrigation, fisheries, navigation, and commerce (1). The Great Lakes ecosystem has been altered irreversibly by the invasion of over 160 aquatic species, including the alewife, sea lamprey, round goby, Eurasian ruffe, spiny water flea, zebra mussel. The rate of species introduction continues to increase (2). Aquatic invaders are difficult to monitor and detect, and disruptions often go unnoticed until they become full-blown invasive species crises. Control and mitigation efforts are expensive and often ineffective. Even so, it is critical to work toward reducing the impact of current invasions and preventing future invasions to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem. Please use the links on the left to navigate through this discussion of Great Lakes invasive species.

INTRODUCTION