Impact of Data Availability on Site Assessment and Predictive Behavior of Aquatic Invasive Species

INTRODUCTION: As of 2001, it was estimated that approximately 50,000 nonindigenous species had been introduced into the United States (Pimentel et al. 2000). Some are beneficial, including food crops (e.g. corn, wheat), livestock (e.g. cattle, sheep), landscape enhancement (e.g. crape myrtles, boxwoods), or biological pest controls (e.g. host-specific biological control insects and pathogens). Others, however, have caused major economic losses and harmful impacts to the environment. Over the past 40 years, introductions have increased because of human population growth and mobility and increased trade among nations (Pimentel et al. 2000).