Science offers hope in the face of aquatic invaders

There is an ongoing invasion in Minnesota’s lakes, rivers and wetlands. Non-native species are finding their way into the state's waters, crowding out native plants and animals, disrupting the food web that holds these ecosystems together.

But it’s not all bad news. The state investment in aquatic science is showing both progress and promise.

Nicholas Phelps, director of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Center, gives a presentation to the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee Jan. 16. Photo by Andrew VonBank

“I am very optimistic about the path we are on, that solutions are attainable. That we don’t have any reason to believe that this is inevitable or that we should lose hope, that this is the new normal,” Nick Phelps, director of the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, told the House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee Wednesday morning.

The center has identified 40 species of plants, fish, invertebrates, and bacteria and viruses as research priorities for the state. Each is either actively present or expected to show up in state waters soon. All will cause significant damage if left unchecked.

Phelps offered an overview of ongoing efforts, spotlighting progress on invasive species such as zebra mussels, Eurasion milfoil, and starry stonewort. The three invasive species are among the more commonly known aquatic invaders the center seeks to bring under control.

There are success stories to be found in the statewide response, Phelps noted. Finding those successes – such as the discovery of chemicals that effectively reduce populations of zebra mussels in cold water – were achieved through collaborations that span the globe, while keeping the focus on Minnesota.

Staff researchers, various university departments, graduate students, research fellows, advisors, technical standard reviewers, as well as other stakeholders such as government officials and volunteer citizen scientists, collect and share data. That data is then used to develop best practices for detecting invasive species early; understanding how the species move and accurately predicting infestations; and developing effective control and management methods for preventing or responding to infestations.

The center will be scaling up research begun in 2012, from laboratory and small-scale field studies, to a 25-acre study in Lake Minnetonka this spring. The lake is currently plagued by infestations of common carp, hybrid watermilfoil, zebra mussels, and other invasive species.

While the project illustrates the slow nature of research, Phelps said progress is ongoing and that what is learned can be shared with relative speed once valid recommendations are developed.

“We can kill zebra mussels. That’s not the question anymore,” Phelps said. “Where we are at now is how we can control zebra mussels while minimizing the non-targeted impacts … to make sure we are not doing more harm than good.”

Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka) asked Phelps about the potential use of biological controls to combat infestations. Two forms of weevil have been used with success in the control of purple loosestrife.

While such methods are not discounted, Phelps said they are not the focus of the center, which concentrates on the use of native controls. The introduction to Minnesota of insects and diseases from the native habitat of an invasive species can have unpredictable impacts and can present additional challenges.