Invasive Species: Adaptations and Hybridization

Why aquatic invasive species are so good at being bad Invasive species are everywhere, and once they’ve arrived, they are extremely difficult to remove. This fascinating webinar explores why invasive species are so good at spreading and why they are so adept at pushing out native plants and animals. It all comes down to adaptions—special characteristics that make a species well-suited to live in its environment. In the case of invasive species, many of them are well suited for almost any environment, which gives them a huge advantage. APIPP Aquatic Invasive Species Manager Anna Hardiman dives into the world of aquatic invasive species, giving specific examples of their amazing and troublesome adaptations. Anna’s talk is followed by Alex Sotola, an assistant biology professor with SUNY Oneonta, covers ongoing research into whether invasive milfoils are hybridizing with native milfoils in the Adirondacks. If hybridization is occurring, the result would be a new form of milfoil that shares traits of both species, the effects of which remain unknown. The research project is a collaboration between SUNY Oneonta and APIPP. Lastly, Anna discusses how people can help protect the lakes they love by becoming one of APIPP’s volunteer Lake Protectors. Participants in the program adopt a lake to monitor for invasive species and they report their findings through the easy-to-use iMapInvasives mobile app. The data collected are invaluable to helping us understand and manage aquatic invasive species.