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Invasive Species impact threatened and endangered species, biodiversity, and the economy. Once established, these non-indigenous invaders have the ability to displace or replace native plants and animal species, disrupt nutrient and fire cycles, and cause changes in the pattern of plant succesion. (Lovich, JE)

"Biodiversity is our most valuable, but least appreciated resource." - E.O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life

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Pictured above: Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Photo courtesy USGS

Silver and Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)

Silver and Bighead Carp (Asian Carps) were first captured from the wild in the 1980’s, and escaped aquaculture facilities through the 90’s. Both fishes have spread to most of the Mississippi River drainage, including the Missouri and Ohio Rivers and their tributaries. Both fishes grow quickly to a large size, up to 50 pounds).

Asian Carps pose a considerable hazard to boaters, mainly due to Silver Carp jumping into moving boats. This can cause human injury and property damage, comparable to being hit with a bowling ball. Bait bucket transfer can move these fish around dams and into reservoirs, causing serious deleterious impacts on fisheries and recreational boating. Silver and Bighead Carp are in direct competition with native fishes for food and space, and may prey on the larvae of native fishes. Visit our website for the USGS fact sheet, and more information.

USGS, Columbia Environmental Research Center

For more information:

USGS Fact Sheet

USGS Non-Indigenous Aquatic Species Fact Sheet

USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center Fact Sheet

Aquatic Invasive Species Research - Evaluating Asian carp colonization potential and impact in the Great Lakes. National Sea Grant. 2005-2007.

Researchers: Mark Pegg (UNL), Walter Hill (Illinois Natural History Survey), John Dettmers (Great Lakes Fisheries Commission), Robert Herendeen (Illinois Natural History Survey)

Description: A bioenergetics modeling approach will be used to answer questions concerning the ability of Asian carp to colonize in Lake Michigan given the unknowns about food use and temperature constraints. The objectives of the overall project are to use bioenergetics to predict Asian carp growth and consumption in the Great Lakes, perform mesocosm experiments to verify these predictions, determine where in the Great Lakes Asian carp are likely to colonize, and predict the potential impacts of Asian carp on the plankton communities of the Great Lakes.