Aquatic Invasive Species Education Program

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You Can Stop the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

Schools and Science Curricula as Potential Pathways for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

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Nonnative plant and animal species that invade native communities are second only to direct habitat destruction in the devastation wracked by invaders on existing plant and animal life. Aquatic species that invade Oregon and West Coast waters are as much, or even more, a problem than such aliens are on land (e.g., starlings, knapweed, cheat grass, kudzu). But few people even realize that there are also invasive aquatic species that disrupt and overcome native communities, and the general public is largely unaware of the severity of the problem. Examples of aquatic invasive species include the zebra mussel, hydrilla, Japanese knotweed, and New Zealand and Chinese mitten crabs.

Little realized, but major sources of aquatic invaders are school science programs and aquariums. When live animals and plants used in school curricula are unintentionally (i.e., humanely) released outside the classroom, they are likely to establish themselves and out-compete native species for food resources or spread disease. Rusty crayfish are often used in schools, but are particularly aggressive on their own. Schools order them from biological supply houses that, in turn, are supplied by other firms that raise or capture invasive species without providing any information about their potential harm. This program is providing educational materials (e.g., posters, brochures) to the schools to increase awareness of potential ecological and economic risks from current practices, teach proper disposal methods, and blend information about adverse consequences of biological invasions into curricula. The same type of effort is also being directed to curricula developers and biological suppliers.

Also, too many of our nation’s waterways are being choked with aquatic invasive plants (e.g., the Brazillian elodea, which until recently readily available for use in aquariums and ponds). The cause: dumping and cleaning out aquaria. Further, initial infestations are often transferred to other waterways, unintentionally, by boaters and recreationists. The program is hoping to work with the aquarium industry, providing them with the information needed by their customers.

OSU Sea Grant Extension seeks to increase understanding of the aquatic invasive species problem, leading to early detection and prevention of new invasions and control of existing ones. Efforts include development and distribution of important educational materials such as (1) a nationally-recognized video, You Ought To Tell Somebody ; (2) presentations and workshops for a wide variety of audiences ranging from 5th graders to aquaculture operators; (3) written fact sheets and publications; (4) a major exhibit at the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center in Newport; (5) a hands-on traveling learning kit for the West Coast, The Case of the Wet Invaders . Besides these efforts, the team is evaluating how to encourage West Coast watershed councils to integrate aquatic invasive species into their basin-wide assessment, monitoring, and enhancement projects. And a brochure is now being prepared on the invasive New Zealand mud snail.

updated 2/16/06