Aquatic Invasive Species Program
What are Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)?
Aquatic Invasive Species are introduced, non-native flora and fauna which have the potential to cause negative effects on aquatic ecosystems, the economy, and human health. Introductions of AIS can harm native species, disrupt habitat, reduce values of properties and water resources. AIS have no natural checks (ie predation, disease, etc) in their new ecosystem, and once established, can be almost impossible to eradicate.
Invasive plants and animals easily move undetected between waterbodies, mostly due to inadvertent transit by humans. Hitchhiking on boating equipment, fishing tackle, and vehicles, AIS can quickly invade a new waterbody, posing severe consequences for infested waterbodies.
With a warming climate and increasing traffic from out-of-state visitors, Maine is at a higher risk of infestation of AIS than ever before. Being a large and sparsely populated state, there are innumerable pathways to infestation in Maine’s over 6000 water bodies.
Early detection is the best way to stop aquatic invaders. Volunteer invasive plant patrollers (IPPers) play a crucial role in stopping the spread of AIS by keeping watch on Maine’s lakes and monitoring for suspicious plants. Since 2002, LSM has trained thousands of IPP volunteers in early detection and rapid response for AIS on Maine lakes. Due in-part to their vigilance, Maine’s waterways have the lowest AIS infestation rate in the region of less than 1%.
