Benthic invertebrate surveys are a component of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (FWCO) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) Program. Benthic invertebrate surveys were included in the EDM program starting in 2014 with the goal of detecting novel AIS invertebrate species by sampling a diversity of habitats with a wide array of gear types. Surveys occurred annually from 2013 - 2024. Sampling focuses on harbors, rivers, and streams of Lake Huron and Lake Erie as determined by a risk-based prioritization framework for AIS in the Great Lakes. Benthic invertebrates are collected using a variety of sampling gears with the most utilized including: colonizers (rock bags and Hester-Dendy samplers) and sweep nets. The survey design targets the following three general taxon: Amphipoda, Bivalvia, and Gastropoda. These taxon are targeted due to the potential invasiveness and level of concern of species within those taxa as determined by Ecological Risk Screening Summaries (ERSS). The sampling season is typically between July and October - not all locations are sampled on a similar temporal scale, particularly those locations on the fringes of the programs surveillance range. Sampling strategies are analyzed and designed to capture the maximum species richness at locations with the assumption that capturing an abundance of species, including singletons and doubletons, could lead to detecting rare novel AIS species if present. Samples are preserved using 95% ethanol (EtOH) which allows for tissue preservation. The samples are then picked and sorted in-house (Alpena FWCO) by the three aforementioned general taxon. For several samples, these taxa groupings were screen for Region 3 watch list/target species. Some targeted sampling sites was sent to an external contractor for taxonomic identification a year or more later once funds became available. Given the dynamic and adaptive nature of AIS early detection, the list of watch list species has changed over time. The current watch list of invertebrates is as follows: Signal Crayfish, Spinycheek Crayfish, Yabby, Australian Redclaw Crayfish, Marbled Crayfish, Noble Crayfish, Red Swamp Crayfish, Harris Mud Crab, Bald Urchin Shrimp, Bloody Red Shrimp, Demon Shrimp, Killer Shrimp, Pontogammarus robustoides (no common name), Scud, Banded Mysterysnail, Chinese Mysterysnail, European Ear Snail, European Stream Valvata, Golden Mussel, Gravel Snail, Japanese Mysterysnail, Mud Bithynia (Faucet Snail), New Zealand Mudsnail, Quagga Mussel, and Zebra Mussel. Quagga and Zebra mussels are widespread in Lake Erie and Lake Huron and, with the exception of the St. Marys River, are no longer sorted or counted as bivalves because of the large number and frequency. The information within this dataset is geospatial in nature and documents benthic invertebrate sampling events. Both abiotic and biotic data is collected for each individual sampling event. It is possible that over time, the tools, gears, and instruments used to collect information have changed or been modified. The EDM Program is adaptive in nature and standardization, although important for comparisons, is not the primary intention of this AIS sampling strategy. Therefore, in some instances, the general statements made above regarding sample procedures may not apply. Also, identifying aquatic invertebrates such as amphipods, bivalves, and gastropods are difficult - especially when tasked with discovering novel AIS with limited support from reference materials (keys, voucher specimens, etc.). Because of this, some specimens collected cannot be assigned to the species level. Furthermore, due to these difficulties, identifications within this data set may be inaccurate and those records will remain within this data set unless otherwise detected and removed.

U.S Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (LGLFWCO) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program began in 2012 following the onset of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. This program is apart of a larger basin-wide Great Lakes AIS EDM effort by the USFWS. The goal of this program is to detect novel AIS species (fish and aquatic invertebrates) by sampling a diversity of habitats with a wide array of gear types. Sampling focuses on harbors, rivers and tributaries of the lower Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) as determined by a risk-based prioritization framework for AIS in the Great Lakes. The program is composed of three components of AIS surveillance: juvenile/adult fish, ichthyoplankton (larval fish), and aquatic invertebrates (including crayfish). Sampling strategies and protocols are analyzed and designed to capture the maximum species richness at locations with the assumption that capturing an abundance of species, including singletons and doubletons, could lead to detecting rare novel AIS species if present. Protocols vary depending on the component of the program and descriptions can be found within the metadata of each dataset. This program is adaptive in nature and standardization, although important for comparisons, is not the primary intention of this AIS sampling strategy. Any significant AIS detections are reported to partners following an internal communications protocol.

U.S Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Lower Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (LGLFWCO) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Early Detection and Monitoring (EDM) program began in 2012 following the onset of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. This program is apart of a larger basin-wide Great Lakes AIS EDM effort by the USFWS. The goal of this program is to detect novel AIS species (fish and aquatic invertebrates) by sampling a diversity of habitats with a wide array of gear types. Sampling focuses on harbors, rivers and tributaries of the lower Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) as determined by a risk-based prioritization framework for AIS in the Great Lakes. The program is composed of three components of AIS surveillance: juvenile/adult fish, ichthyoplankton (larval fish), and aquatic invertebrates (including crayfish). Sampling strategies and protocols are analyzed and designed to capture the maximum species richness at locations with the assumption that capturing an abundance of species, including singletons and doubletons, could lead to detecting rare novel AIS species if present. Protocols vary depending on the component of the program and descriptions can be found within the metadata of each dataset. This program is adaptive in nature and standardization, although important for comparisons, is not the primary intention of this AIS sampling strategy. Any significant AIS detections are reported to partners following an internal communications protocol.

Detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a commonly used surveillance method for threatened or invasive vertebrates in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, use of eDNA methodologies for the detection of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., crayfish and insects) has been limited. Environmental DNA protocols can be especially useful for endangered invertebrates such as the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) where conservation efforts have been greatly hindered by the training, time, overall costs, and environmental impacts associated with conducting surveys in the calcareous fens occupied by this species. An essential step in developing such a protocol is to evaluate the dynamics of eDNA concentration under controlled and field conditions. In this study we examined the persistence and accumulation of eDNA from captive S. hineana larvae in experimental mesocosms at temperatures (5.0°C and 16.0°C) that reflect seasonal variation in their natural habitat, and we evaluated the usefulness of eDNA protocols for studying the distribution and abundance of invertebrates by assessing patterns of eDNA distribution for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly and its symbiont the devil crayfish, (Cambarus [=Lacunicambarus] diogenes) in the field over several months. In mesocosms, S. hineana eDNA persisted longer at 5.0°C but accumulated more readily at 16.0°C. In the field, life-history events affected seasonal variations in eDNA more significantly and consistently than temperature for both species. These data can be used to aid in conservation efforts for S. hineana and similar aquatic invertebrates.

Detection of environmental DNA (eDNA) has become a commonly used surveillance method for threatened or invasive vertebrates in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. However, use of eDNA methodologies for the detection of aquatic invertebrates (e.g., crayfish and insects) has been limited. Environmental DNA protocols can be especially useful for endangered invertebrates such as the Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) where conservation efforts have been greatly hindered by the training, time, overall costs, and environmental impacts associated with conducting surveys in the calcareous fens occupied by this species. An essential step in developing such a protocol is to evaluate the dynamics of eDNA concentration under controlled and field conditions. In this study we examined the persistence and accumulation of eDNA from captive S. hineana larvae in experimental mesocosms at temperatures (5.0°C and 16.0°C) that reflect seasonal variation in their natural habitat, and we evaluated the usefulness of eDNA protocols for studying the distribution and abundance of invertebrates by assessing patterns of eDNA distribution for the Hine’s emerald dragonfly and its symbiont the devil crayfish, (Cambarus [=Lacunicambarus] diogenes) in the field over several months. In mesocosms, S. hineana eDNA persisted longer at 5.0°C but accumulated more readily at 16.0°C. In the field, life-history events affected seasonal variations in eDNA more significantly and consistently than temperature for both species. These data can be used to aid in conservation efforts for S. hineana and similar aquatic invertebrates.

Detecting trends in biological attributes is central to many stream monitoring programs; however, understanding how natural variability in environmental factors affects trend results is not well understood. We evaluated the influence of antecedent streamflow and sample timing (covariates) on trend estimates for fish, invertebrate, and diatom taxa richness and biological condition from 2002 to 2012 at 51 sites distributed across the conterminous United States. This data release contains all of the input and output files necessary to reproduce the results presented and discussed in the associated journal article.

Detecting trends in biological attributes is central to many stream monitoring programs; however, understanding how natural variability in environmental factors affects trend results is not well understood. We evaluated the influence of antecedent streamflow and sample timing (covariates) on trend estimates for fish, invertebrate, and diatom taxa richness and biological condition from 2002 to 2012 at 51 sites distributed across the conterminous United States. This data release contains all of the input and output files necessary to reproduce the results presented and discussed in the associated journal article.

The invasive carp environmental DNA (eDNA) sample data was collected and processed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is used for the early detection and monitoring of invasive carp. The reportable eDNA detection summary data along with static maps are shared with the public along with a public facing ArcGIS Online Feature layer, Web Map, and Dashboard. For further information on data collection and processing please refer to the Quality Assurance Project Plan eDNA Monitoring of Bighead and Silver Carps (see files and links). Additional information on the Invasive carp eDNA program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found on the Whitney Genetics Lab Facility web page (see files and links). A positive eDNA detection result means there was invasive carp eDNA in the water body, which can be from live or dead fish, but it could have also been transported via boat, bird, or water current. A positive eDNA detection does not necessarily mean there were invasive carp present at the time samples were taken. For more information or questions, please contact the eDNA Program Coordinator, Nick Frohnauer at (nicholas_frohnauer@fws.gov). Complete ISO 19115 FGDC metadata can be found under the hosted view feature layer on the FWS AGOL platform.

The invasive carp environmental DNA (eDNA) sample data was collected and processed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is used for the early detection and monitoring of invasive carp. The reportable eDNA detection summary data along with static maps are shared with the public along with a public facing ArcGIS Online Feature layer, Web Map, and Dashboard. For further information on data collection and processing please refer to the Quality Assurance Project Plan eDNA Monitoring of Bighead and Silver Carps (see files and links). Additional information on the Invasive carp eDNA program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found on the Whitney Genetics Lab Facility web page (see files and links). A positive eDNA detection result means there was invasive carp eDNA in the water body, which can be from live or dead fish, but it could have also been transported via boat, bird, or water current. A positive eDNA detection does not necessarily mean there were invasive carp present at the time samples were taken. For more information or questions, please contact the eDNA Program Coordinator, Nick Frohnauer at (nicholas_frohnauer@fws.gov). Complete ISO 19115 FGDC metadata can be found under the hosted view feature layer on the FWS AGOL platform.

The invasive carp environmental DNA (eDNA) sample data was collected and processed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and is used for the early detection and monitoring of invasive carp. The reportable eDNA detection summary data along with static maps are shared with the public along with a public facing ArcGIS Online Feature layer, Web Map, and Dashboard. For further information on data collection and processing please refer to the Quality Assurance Project Plan eDNA Monitoring of Bighead and Silver Carps (see files and links). Additional information on the Invasive carp eDNA program for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be found on the Whitney Genetics Lab Facility web page (see files and links). A positive eDNA detection result means there was invasive carp eDNA in the water body, which can be from live or dead fish, but it could have also been transported via boat, bird, or water current. A positive eDNA detection does not necessarily mean there were invasive carp present at the time samples were taken. For more information or questions, please contact the eDNA Program Coordinator, Nick Frohnauer at (nicholas_frohnauer@fws.gov). Complete ISO 19115 FGDC metadata can be found under the hosted view feature layer on the FWS AGOL platform.