Distribution and Dispersal of Aquatic Invasive Species in Lakes of Kenosha County, Wisconsin

Abstract

Carthage’s ISWG team (Invasive Species Working Group) has been and still is undergoing a long term monitoring program studying invasive species in riparian areas throughout Kenosha County, WI. Riparian zones are transition areas where both terrestrial and aquatic landscapes coexist together; because of this the team is sampling and assessing

all three key areas: the aquatic zone, sampling in the water, the riparian zone; where the water and land meet, and the terrestrial zone; land within close proximity of water. Because most invasive species are generalists, and non-­‐native they have high dispersal rates with low predation or limiting factors to slow their spread. With this study we are able to monitor how dispersal is affected by up/down stream movements and access and predict these invasive species.