A risk assessment for the introduction of invasive fish for Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (7) ◽  
pp. 1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Davis ◽  
Chris McCarthy ◽  
Karen Beazley
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Ecological Effects ◽  
Source Population ◽  
Historic Site ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Kejimkujik National Park

Recent research has highlighted the need for invasive species risk assessments that consider multiple factors, such as habitat suitability and life history. With invasive species encroaching on the boundary of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (Kejimkujik), Canada, there is concern surrounding the potential ecological effects on the Park’s freshwater ecosystems. Herein we present a multifactor risk analysis for the risks of introduction of two invasive species, smallmouth bass and chain pickerel. Methods included computer-based analysis of cost–distance and habitat suitability, and a literature-based review of management techniques. Smallmouth bass were found to have a high risk of establishment and consequent ecological effects in Kejimkujik. Although chain pickerel can also negatively affect aquatic communities, their separation from the Park’s primary watershed and low dispersal ability resulted in lower levels of risk. Four recommendations were developed following a review of management techniques: (1) containment of the source population for smallmouth bass; (2) public education, outreach and communication; (3) monitoring and rapid response upon detection; and (4) collaboration with other parties. Although the present study focused on Kejimkujik, similar challenges for invasive freshwater fish assessment and mitigation exist elsewhere, and our methods may prove illustrative for researchers and managers working under similar conditions.

scholarly journals Environmental DNA detection of endangered and invasive species in Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site

Genome ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tzitziki Loeza-Quintana ◽  
Steven Crookes ◽  
Pei Yuan Li ◽  
Darrin P Reid ◽  
Matthew Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
National Park ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Historic Site ◽  
Blanding's Turtle ◽  
Kejimkujik National Park ◽  
Blanding’S Turtle

The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) allows the early detection of aquatic species at low densities (e.g. elusive and invasive species), which otherwise could be challenging to monitor using conventional techniques. Here, we assess the ability of eDNA sampling to detect the presence/absence of one species-at-risk (Blanding’s Turtle) and two invasive species (Chain Pickerel and Smallmouth Bass) in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic site, Nova Scotia, where the aquatic system is highly acidic and rich in organic compounds. Five replicates of 1L water samples were taken per sampling site. Water filtration and eDNA extractions were performed on-site, while qPCR reactions were performed in the laboratory using species-specific assays. Samples were treated with an inhibition removal kit and analyzed pre- and post-inhibition removal. Despite the low pH and PCR inhibitors in water samples, our results showed positive eDNA detections in almost all expected positive sites (except in one site for Blanding’s Turtle). Detections of the target species were also observed at sites where their presence was previously unknown. Our study supports the advantage of eDNA to monitor species at low densities, revealing new distributions or recently invaded areas. We also demonstrate how eDNA can directly instruct management strategies in Kejimkujik.

scholarly journals Effective removal of the American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) on a landscape level: long term monitoring and removal efforts in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen Kamoroff ◽  
Ninette Daniele ◽  
Robert L. Grasso ◽  
Rebecca Rising ◽  
Travis Espinoza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Yosemite National Park ◽  
American Bullfrog ◽  
Yosemite Valley ◽  
Park Service ◽  
Landscape Level

Abstract Invasive alien species are a major threat to freshwater ecosystems, and American bullfrogs are among the world’s 100 most prominent aquatic invasive species causing negative direct and indirect effect on native aquatic fauna worldwide. Bullfrogs were intentionally introduced into Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park in the 1950s where they became well established in the subsequent years. Starting in 2005, the National Park Service (NPS) began bullfrog removal, targeting various life stages using hand, net, and spear techniques. Starting in 2015, the NPS conducted environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys and deployed audio recordings devices to ensure adequate detection of bullfrogs. During the first year of cencerted effort in the Valley in 2005, the NPS removed 86% of all recorded bullfrog. The subsequent decade was spent searching for individuals with lower return on effort. In 2012, the NPS removed the last observed signs of bullfrog breeding, and the last observed bullfrog in 2019. Following removal of the breeding bullfrog population, the NPS began restoration projects for species of special concern. The NPS introduced the federally threatened California red-legged frogs (Rana draytonii) into Yosemite Valley beginning in 2016. This is the first published successful eradication of bullfrogs on a landscape level. National Parks and Monuments often provide refuges for imperiled wildlife and should be managed to remove invasive species. Our work highlights effective bullfrog removal is obtainable and can lead to local recovery of endangered species.

Mercury biomagnification in the food webs of acidic lakes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1532-1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brianna Wyn ◽  
Karen A. Kidd ◽  
Neil M. Burgess ◽  
R. Allen Curry
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Food Web ◽  
National Park ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Neutral Systems ◽  
Historic Site ◽  
Acidic Lakes ◽  
Top Predators ◽  
Kejimkujik National Park

Mercury (Hg) concentrations in fish from acidic lakes (pH < 6.0) are typically elevated above those from near-neutral systems. It is unknown whether high biomagnification rates through the supporting food web can explain elevated Hg concentrations in top predators from low pH lakes. To investigate this, we collected yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ), brown bullhead ( Ameiurus nebulosus ), banded killifish ( Fundulus diaphanous ), golden shiner ( Notemigonus crysoleucas ), and littoral and pelagic invertebrates from four acidic lakes in Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site (KNPNHS), Nova Scotia, Canada, and analyzed them for total Hg and methyl Hg (MeHg), and δ13C and δ15N to determine sources of energy and trophic position, respectively. Mercury biomagnification rates (slopes of log Hg versus δ15N) varied significantly among the four lakes but did not explain the among-lake differences in perch Hg; these slopes were also within the range published for near-neutral systems. Rather, Hg concentrations in yellow perch (i.e., predatory fish) in KNPNHS were higher in lakes with higher MeHg in lower-trophic-level organisms and suggest that processes influencing Hg uptake at the base of the food web are more important than rates of food web biomagnification for understanding the variation in concentrations of this contaminant among top predators.

scholarly journals Distribution and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton in lakes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada, Nova Scotia

2014 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Nussbaumer ◽  
Neil M. Burgess ◽  
Russ C. Weeber
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
National Park ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Historic Site ◽  
Aquatic Biodiversity ◽  
Low Calcium ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Acid Tolerant ◽  
Kejimkujik National Park

As part of the Acid Rain Biomonitoring Program at Environment Canada, we sampled aquatic biodiversity in 20 acidic lakes in 2009 and 2010 in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada and vicinity in Nova Scotia. We established an inventory of current aquatic macroinvertebrate and zooplankton species composition and abundance in each of the 20 study lakes. A total of 197 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified; the number of taxa observed was positively correlated with pH across the 20 lakes. Acid-tolerant taxa, such as isopods, amphipods, trichopterans, and oligochaetes, were common and abundant, while bivalves, gastropods, and leeches were lower in abundance. The number of isopods and amphipods collected was correlated with calcium concentration; a greater proportion of isopods than amphipods were collected from lakes with low calcium and low pH. Taxa with hard, calcareous shells, such as bivalves and gastropods, were not present in lakes with low calcium and low pH, with bivalves occurring only in lakes above pH 4.9. Odonates and ephemeropterans, which were low in abundance, were associated with a wide range of acidity. Coleopteran abundance was positively correlated with concentrations of dissolved organic carbon. A total of 26 zooplankton taxa were collected, but only cyclopoid abundance was correlated with lake pH. Results presented here provide a summary of aquatic biodiversity in lakes in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site and vicinity and provide a baseline for future monitoring as acid deposition continues to affect this acid-sensitive region in Atlantic Canada.

The Development of Habitat Suitability Index Model of Class I Endangered Wildlife, Sedirea japonica - A Case Study of Korea National Park of Dadohaehaesang -

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-172
Author(s):  
Yun-Jin Shim ◽  
Yong-Su Park ◽  
Rae-Ha Jang ◽  
Young-Jun Yoon ◽  
Sun- Ryoung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Class I ◽  
Habitat Suitability Index ◽  
Index Model ◽  
Suitability Index

scholarly journals Origin and Potential Expansion of the Invasive Longan Lanternfly, Pyrops candelaria (Hemiptera: Fulgoridae) in Taiwan

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 678
Author(s):  
You-Sheng Lin ◽  
Jhih-Rong Liao ◽  
Shiuh-Feng Shiao ◽  
Chiun-Cheng Ko
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Invasion History ◽  
Crop Cultivation ◽  
Main Island ◽  
Genetic Structures

The longan lanternfly Pyrops candelaria is a new invasive species on the main island of Taiwan. The introduction of an invasive species may negatively influence the native fauna, flora and environment. Thus, this study aimed to infer the invasion history, predict habitat suitability and potential expansion and assess the risk to crop cultivation areas in Taiwan. Genetic structures of P. candelaria from the main island of Taiwan and related regions were analyzed based on partial COI and ND2 sequences. Additionally, machine learning MaxEnt was utilized to study habitat suitability. The results suggested that the Taiwanese populations may originate from the Kinmen Islands and the plain areas of Taiwan are considered to have high habitat suitability. Furthermore, most of the cultivation areas of longan and pomelo crops showed high habitat suitability.

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