Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) What are aquatic invasive
species? The following is one of many different definitions: "a
non-native species introduced to an aquatic ecosystem that
causes environmental and/or economic harm." Other terms such as
"exotic species" and "nuisance species" are used interchangeably
with invasive species. Aquatic invasive species have come to the
forefront of issues impacting our lakes, streams, and wetlands
and are increasingly the focus of Watershed Council monitoring
and management programs. What are the impacts of aquatic
invasive species? There are both economic and ecological
impacts, both of which are quite serious. Economically, there
are losses in tourism, sports-fisheries, industry and more. In
Michigan, fishing expenditures alone exceed $800,000,000 per
year1, a figure that could drop substantially as aquatic
invasive species disrupt ecosystems and impact fisheries. Losses
in the U.S. are estimated at $78.5 billion annually and studies
have estimated lost property values on