This field guide is designed to aid science professionals and other interested individuals in the prevention, early detection, and proper reporting of AIS. This reference can help conservation law enforcement, regional biologists, volunteer monitors, resource managers, educators, students, and other professionals working in the Mid-Atlantic’s waters to learn general information about AIS, identify the problem species, collect specimens for verification, and report infestations appropriately.
The species included in this field guide were selected by the Mid-Atlantic Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species. Additional species may be included as needed in future iterations of the guide.
The Mid-Atlantic Field Guide to Aquatic Invasive Species is a multi-state resource that provides an overview of species information relevant to AIS in the region. While overarching federal regulations guide management of aquatic invasive species, each state has its own regulatory, policy, and management plans for dealing with AIS challenges. For instance, states have specific lists of prohibited and allowed species, unique reporting mechanisms, and different handling and transportation regulations. A species may be considered locally invasive within one state but is less of a concern in other states, or across the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, some non-native species are considered important sportfish in some areas, but invasive in others.
Aquatic invasive species pose varying threats to native plant and animal populations. Therefore, responses to infestations will depend on factors such as individual species, location of colonization, density of the infestation, presence of native species, and other biological and ecological factors.
The purpose of this guide is to help slow or stop the spread of aquatic invasive species in the Mid-Atlantic region. The focus of the first section is prevention, since it is important that readers understand how to avoid AIS introduction and spread to new locations. It highlights significant pathways of spread for AIS and describes preventative actions that can be taken. The second section focuses on how to report species. It is important that new infestations are reported quickly and accurately, and that specimens are collected correctly so that subsequent control or management actions can be taken. The last section contains species profiles that highlight important species characteristics to help identify AIS. Species are grouped together into larger taxonomic groups, with a different color representing each group. Within those groups, species are ordered alphabetically by common name. Each profile contains photos, illustrations, maps, and narrative descriptions that highlight important factors or features about the species.
- Invasive Aquatic Plants (dark green)
- Invasive Wetland Plants (light green)
- Invasive Invertebrates (teal)
- Invasive Mammals and Birds (purple)
- Invasive Fish (blue)
- Invasive Pathogens (orange)
- Invasive Algae (yellow)
- Invasive Reptiles and Amphibians (maroon)
Species profiles follow the general format below:
- Species at a Glance: brief overview of species and any interesting facts
- Identification: key characteristics for identifying the species
- Similar Species: methods for distinguishing invasive species from native look-a-likes
Habitat: description of the preferred environment - Spread: highlights pathways and vectors by which the species can be transferred to new locations
- Distribution: Native and invasive range information, including dis-tribution in the United States and the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Note: Distribution information was taken from the USGS Non-Indigenous Species database, the USDA NRCS plants database, iMAP invasives, and other web-based distribution tracking sites.
- Impacts: Documented or potential influence on biodiversity, the economy, and/or human health.
Additional tips for using the guide:
- Each taxonomic group includes a reference section with key information to support accurate species identification. These sections may feature images and diagrams that highlight important anatomical structures and distinguishing features, to aid in the identification process.
- Bolded words indicate glossary terms which can be found on page 261.
- The back cover page of the field guide can be used as a ruler to help measure specimens in the field.
- This guide includes invasive wetland and riparian plant species that, while not considered aquatic, may have the ability to thrive in both wet and dry conditions and have impacts to aquatic systems.
