Patrick M Kocovsky
I am the Aquatic Invasive Species Program Manager within the Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program in the Ecosystems Mission Area.
I administer the USGS’ national research program on Aquatic Invasive Species. Our research foci include risk assessment, early detection and rapid response, and developing and evaluating deterrents and control methods for aquatic invasive species.
Science and Products
Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Carp
Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp, which are native to China, were originally stocked in aquaculture facilities to control algae, snails, and vegetation. These species escaped during flood events and are now established throughout the lower and middle Mississippi River Basins and some of its large tributaries where they damage ecosystems and harm economies. Grass carp are also reproducing in...
Invasive Species We Study: Sea Lamprey
The parasitic sea lamprey invaded the Great Lakes in the mid-20th Century devastating valuable native fisheries and coastal economies. The USGS’ Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the Great Lakes Science Center’s Hammond Bay Biological Station, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have been and continue to lead research on sea lamprey control, providing the...
Invasive Plants We Study: Brazilian Waterweed
Brazilian waterweed is an invasive aquatic plant.
Invasive Species We Study: Green Crab
European green crabs are one of the most widespread invasive marine species on the planet. Where they are abundant, green crabs outcompete other native shellfish. They are voracious eaters and a major predator of clams, mussels, and oysters. They also actively disturb bed sediments, leading to the loss of the eelgrass that serves as essential habitat for Dungeness crab and Pacific salmon. USGS is...
Invasive Species We Study: Lionfish
Lionfishes ( Pterois volitans and P. miles ) have established self-sustaining populations and spread throughout the Western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Although there are reports of lionfish sightings from decades past, the species have considerably increased in numbers and spread since 2000. The remarkable speed with which lionfishes have invaded the region is unprecedented...
Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Mussels
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (collectively called dreissenid mussels) have significant ecological and economic effects. Dreissenids negatively affect industrial and municipal infrastructure, recreational water users, and they severely alter aquatic ecosystems by consuming algae and plankton. USGS has been conducting research on rapid response and control of dreissenid mussels in the Great...
Invasive Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Monitoring and Response Methodologies, and Implementation of an Adaptive Management Framework to Work Towards Eradication of Grass Carp in Lake Erie
The US Geological Survey is studying life history and habitats of invasive Grass Carp with a goal of developing strategies and tactics to greatly reduce or possibly eradicate Grass Carp from Lake Erie.
Understanding How Climate Change Will Impact Aquatic Food Webs in the Great Lakes
This project addressed regional climate change effects on aquatic food webs in the Great Lakes. We sought insights by examining Lake Erie as a representative system with a high level of anthropogenic impacts, strong nutrient gradients, seasonal hypoxia, and spatial overlap of cold- and cool-water fish guilds. In Lake Erie and in large embayments throughout the Great Lakes basin, this situation is
Science and Products
Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Carp
Bighead, black, grass, and silver carp, which are native to China, were originally stocked in aquaculture facilities to control algae, snails, and vegetation. These species escaped during flood events and are now established throughout the lower and middle Mississippi River Basins and some of its large tributaries where they damage ecosystems and harm economies. Grass carp are also reproducing in...
Invasive Species We Study: Sea Lamprey
The parasitic sea lamprey invaded the Great Lakes in the mid-20th Century devastating valuable native fisheries and coastal economies. The USGS’ Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center and the Great Lakes Science Center’s Hammond Bay Biological Station, in collaboration with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, have been and continue to lead research on sea lamprey control, providing the...
Invasive Plants We Study: Brazilian Waterweed
Brazilian waterweed is an invasive aquatic plant.
Invasive Species We Study: Green Crab
European green crabs are one of the most widespread invasive marine species on the planet. Where they are abundant, green crabs outcompete other native shellfish. They are voracious eaters and a major predator of clams, mussels, and oysters. They also actively disturb bed sediments, leading to the loss of the eelgrass that serves as essential habitat for Dungeness crab and Pacific salmon. USGS is...
Invasive Species We Study: Lionfish
Lionfishes ( Pterois volitans and P. miles ) have established self-sustaining populations and spread throughout the Western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Although there are reports of lionfish sightings from decades past, the species have considerably increased in numbers and spread since 2000. The remarkable speed with which lionfishes have invaded the region is unprecedented...
Invasive Species We Study: Invasive Mussels
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels (collectively called dreissenid mussels) have significant ecological and economic effects. Dreissenids negatively affect industrial and municipal infrastructure, recreational water users, and they severely alter aquatic ecosystems by consuming algae and plankton. USGS has been conducting research on rapid response and control of dreissenid mussels in the Great...
Invasive Carp Integrated Control and Containment: Development of Monitoring and Response Methodologies, and Implementation of an Adaptive Management Framework to Work Towards Eradication of Grass Carp in Lake Erie
The US Geological Survey is studying life history and habitats of invasive Grass Carp with a goal of developing strategies and tactics to greatly reduce or possibly eradicate Grass Carp from Lake Erie.
Understanding How Climate Change Will Impact Aquatic Food Webs in the Great Lakes
This project addressed regional climate change effects on aquatic food webs in the Great Lakes. We sought insights by examining Lake Erie as a representative system with a high level of anthropogenic impacts, strong nutrient gradients, seasonal hypoxia, and spatial overlap of cold- and cool-water fish guilds. In Lake Erie and in large embayments throughout the Great Lakes basin, this situation is