Science activity

Science activity #53836, updated 30 July 2024

Understanding and improving the EDRR process using a case study of an aquatic invasive, Vallisneria australis, through policy analysis and increased ecological understanding

Description / purpose

Aquatic invasive species and their impacts have been ecological and management challenges in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) since the 1970s. Despite these impacts, the Delta still provides a suite of ecosystem services. To continue to protect this watershed, an efficient early detection and rapid response (EDRR) framework must be implemented with the goal to find, report, and eradicate invasive species before they spread and cause harm. Effective EDRR frameworks require coordination as well as early action, but frequently the implementation of effective EDRR is limited by lack of information or coordination. Evaluation of the existing draft EDRR framework developed by the Delta Interagency Invasive Species Coordination (DIISC) Team at each stage using a specific species offers the opportunity to discover successful strategies and identify barriers to success. The University proposes to use an invasive submerged aquatic species (ribbon weed, Vallisneria australis) as a case study in the Delta to understand challenges with the EDRR process as well as to design stakeholder-informed interventions to update the existing EDRR framework. In addition, the University will conduct literature review and collect field data on abiotic conditions and plant traits to directly inform the response step of the EDRR process. Finally, the University intends to ensure dissemination of these findings to the DIISC Team and other stakeholders via regular meetings, reports, webinars, and scientific publications.

Linked science activities

None specified

Collaborators

Activity status

  • 1 Awarded / Initiating (2023)
  • 2 In progress / Ongoing
  • 3 Complete

Funding summary

Total allocated funding: $0

Location

Subbasins
Delta regions

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None specified

Products and outputs

None provided

Type and context

Science action area

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Types

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None specified

Management actions

Science Topics

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Lead implementing organization

Partner implementing organizations

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Funding organizations

None specified

Funding programs

None specified

Funding sources

None specified