Water Resources Assembly and Research Symposium
In response to state and global needs, distinct but overlapping communities of researchers have grown at the University of Minnesota to address water resources issues and to inform the management of invasive species in aquatic and terrestrial environments. These communities have been fostered by interdisciplinary centers—the Water Resources Center (WRC), the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center (MAISRC), and the Minnesota Invasive Terrestrial Plants and Pests Center (MITPPC). Each center and community has unique assets of expertise, scientific approaches, and external relationships. Emerging work reveals an opportunity to connect these communities and build on their complementary assets. Several lines of problem-driven research are identifying biological, chemical and physical linkages between water and invasive species. For example, one set of linkages occur because invasives modify the environment in ways that alter the watershed hydrology or water quality. Other linkages arise from invasive control measures that leave environmental residuals. Still others come from long-term environmental drivers that make aquatic environments more vulnerable invasive spread. This symposium is a forum for researchers and stakeholders to learn about recent work at the water-invasives nexus, hear perspectives from managers on future needs, and discuss opportunities for new collaborations to address these issues.
Agenda
9:30 a.m. Registration, Reception and Poster Session
10:00 a.m. Opening Remarks: Greg Cuomo, CFANS Associate Dean (invited)
10:00 a.m. Recent Highlights and Future Directions of the Water Resources Center and Water Resources Science Graduate Program: Jeff Peterson (WRC), Joel Larson (WRC), Joe Magner (WRS) and Donn Branstrator (WRS)
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:00 p.m. Headwaters Lecture: "The Water-Invasives Nexus," Doug Shaw, The Nature Conservancy
12:45 p.m. Break
1:00 p.m. Symposium Welcome: Chris Cramer, VP for Research
1:20 p.m. Recent Research and Management Implications
- "Emerald Ash Borer and Forest Hydrology", Rob Slesak, MN Forest Resources Council
- "Common Carp and Lake Restoration", Przemek Bajer, MAISRC
- "Not How We Want Green Technology to Spread: Invasive Phragmites in wastewater treatment facilities," Dan Larkin, FWCB
2:30 p.m. Break
2:45 p.m. Panel Discussion: "Management Perspectives on Future Needs"
- John Barten (Minnesota Clean Water Council)
- Justine Dauphinais (Coon Creek Watershed District)
- Linda Loomis (Lower Minnesota Watershed Dist.)
- Heidi Wolf (MN Department of Natural Resources)
4:15 p.m. Group Discussion: Exploring Future Collaborations
4:45 p.m. Reception and Poster Session
6:00 p.m. Adjourn
