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**Compendium of Challenge Summaries**

This compendium contains four challenge summaries, one for each of the
challenges that are at the heart of the *Future Challenges Project*,
which the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
initiated during the summer of 2004. The four challenges are:

Global Climate Change

Biotechnology

Water for Ecological Needs

Invasive Species

The summaries are not intended to be comprehensive descriptions of how
global change, biotechnology, water for ecological needs, and invasive
species are likely to affect biodiversity and alter ecosystem function
and structure. Rather, they focus on effects that are most relevant to
the missions and responsibilities of the USGS and FWS. Likewise, they
focus on actions the two bureaus can take to address the potential
effects of global change, biotechnology, water for ecological needs, and
invasive species on fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. As
such, the primary purpose of the challenge summaries is to promote
additional dialogue about strategies and actions the bureaus can use to
address these challenges.

The summaries contain information that was generated during the *Future
Challenges* workshop the bureaus sponsored in August of 2004, at the
Service's National Conservation Training Center at Shepardstown, West
Virginia. In addition, they contain information that the project
planning team wanted to distribute to employees of both bureaus and to
partners and stakeholders who will participate in additional discussions
and workshops in 2005 during the next phase of the *Future Challenges
Project*.

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| **Global Climate Change**[^1]                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Changes in atmospheric composition (especially increased              |
| concentrations of greenhouse gases) have the potential to alter the   |
| radiative balance of the earth's atmosphere, so changing regional and |
| global climates and affecting natural flows of energy and materials   |
| underpinning ecosystem processes. For example, average global         |
| temperatures are hypothesized to increase from 1 to 5°C in the next   |
| century, with the greatest increases occurring in the mid to high     |
| latitudes of the northern hemisphere. The rate of temperature         |
| increase is unprecedented in the geologic and instrumental record and |
| is likely to exacerbate existing stresses on ecosystems from land use |
| change, invasive species, and extinctions, possibly leading to a      |
| non-linear response of ecosystems to climate change. The impact of    |
| climate change is predicted to vary regionally and may include        |
| increased magnitude and frequency of extreme events (floods,          |
| droughts); melting of permafrost, ice sheets and glaciers; sea level  |
| rise associated with melting glaciers; and changes in vegetation type |
| and structure leading to habitat loss and/or change in the spatial    |
| distribution of biomes and loss of biodiversity. Climate change is    |
| likely to cause significant and widespread changes in the             |
| distribution of plant and animal species. In general, ranges of       |
| terrestrial species are expected to shift northward and to higher     |
| elevations, although species will vary in their ability to            |
| successfully change their ranges. Less mobile species and those with  |
| very specific habitat requirements may be extirpated. The composition |
| of ecological communities will likely change, with unknown            |
| consequences for community function. Changes in phenology independent |
| of photoperiod could lead to decoupling of beneficial interspecies    |
| relationships.                                                        |
|                                                                       |
| Some habitats and regions are expected to be particularly affected by |
| climate change. For example, sea-level rise associated with melting   |
| ice and thermal expansion of oceans may cause inundation of coastal   |
| wetlands. In some inland areas, increased temperatures and decreased  |
| precipitation could lead to larger and more frequent forest fires and |
| increased prevalence of insect-pest infestations. Altered hydrologic  |
| cycles could cause lowering of lake levels and loss of wetlands, with |
| potentially widespread negative effects on aquatic species. In        |
| general, ecosystems and species already experiencing environmental    |
| stressors (e.g., anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and infestations |
| of exotic species) may be less resilient and more vulnerable to       |
| adverse effects of climate change. Climate change effects may alter   |
| these stresses in ways that give rise to new thresholds of ecosystem  |
| response.                                                             |
|                                                                       |
| High latitudes are expected to experience the most rapid and severe   |
| changes. Potential effects include extirpation or extinction of some  |
| ice-associated species (e.g., polar bears) and other arctic           |
| specialists (e.g., some mosses and lichens), permafrost thawing and   |
| alteration of fresh-water habitats, and vegetation shifts (e.g.,      |
| encroachment of tall shrubs and forests on tundra). There is mounting |
| evidence that many of these effects are already being expressed at    |
| high latitudes. Further, reduced surface reflectivity associated with |
| loss of sea ice and vegetation change is expected to amplify warming  |
| in these regions.                                                     |
|                                                                       |
| Potential synergisms between changing precipitation and temperature   |
| regimes and other ecological stressors are anticipated, which         |
| complicates prediction of effects of climate change. Accurate         |
| prediction is further complicated by inherent uncertainties in global |
| climate models.                                                       |
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| **Fish and Wildlife Service**   |   | **U.S. Geological Survey**       |
|                                 |   |                                  |
| The mission of the Fish and     |   | The mission of the USGS is to    |
| Wildlife Service (Service) is   |   | provide reliable scientific      |
| to conserve, protect, and       |   | information on the               |
| enhance fish, wildlife, plants, |   | characteristics of the Earth,    |
| and their habitats for the      |   | minimize the impacts of natural  |
| benefit of people. The Service  |   | disasters, and manage the        |
| manages a system of 544         |   | nation's resources. As discussed |
| National Wildlife Refuges       |   | above, climate change would      |
| comprising over 96 million      |   | significantly alter the          |
| acres, many established to      |   | characteristics of the Earth and |
| protect important habitats or   |   | impact the nation's biological   |
| species. The Service also has   |   | resources.                       |
| responsibility for protecting   |   |                                  |
| trust resources, including (but |   | The USGS supports                |
| not limited to) migratory       |   | multidisciplinary studies of     |
| birds, certain subsistence      |   | past environmental and climatic  |
| resources, interjurisdictional  |   | changes (climate history);       |
| fishes, wetlands, listed        |   | process studies that explore the |
| species, and some marine        |   | sensitivity of the               |
| mammals. In addition to         |   | earth-surface, the hydrologic    |
| refuges, other Service          |   | cycle, and ecosystems to climate |
| divisions and programs          |   | variability; and forecasting of  |
| responsible for protection of   |   | potential future changes and     |
| trust resources include Fishery |   | their effects on landscapes and  |
| Resources, Subsistence          |   | ecosystems (particularly on      |
| Management, Migratory Bird      |   | public lands). The combination   |
| Management, Marine Mammals      |   | of these studies provides        |
| Management, Habitat             |   | integrated long-term             |
| Conservation, Environmental     |   | perspectives on the effects of   |
| Contaminants, and Endangered    |   | climatic change and variability  |
| Species. To a large degree, the |   | and on the interactions through  |
| mission success of the Service  |   | time among climatic, geologic,   |
| has historically depended on    |   | and biologic systems on regional |
| management of relatively stable |   | and landscape scales.            |
| ecosystems. Global climate      |   |                                  |
| change presents a significant   |   | -   The Earth Surfaces Program   |
| challenge to this paradigm, and |   |     of the Geologic Discipline   |
| is likely to require a          |   |     conducts research on past    |
| different approach in           |   |     climate variability and      |
| implementing the mission of the |   |     change and the impacts of    |
| Service.                        |   |     climate change on landscapes |
|                                 |   |     and ecosystems.              |
| Accomplishment of the Service's |   |                                  |
| mission and responsibilities    |   | ```{=html}                       |
| will require increasingly       |   | <!-- -->                         |
| flexible and innovative         |   | ```                              |
| approaches given the rapidly    |   | -   The Water Resources          |
| changing and variable climate   |   |     Discipline maintains a       |
| predicted for the 21st century. |   |     network of stream gages that |
| Shifting plant and animal       |   |     can provide information to   |
| ranges, novel interspecies      |   |     monitor the effects of       |
| associations, and the emergence |   |     changes in climate on water  |
| of new pests and diseases are   |   |     resources and conducts       |
| just a few of the challenges    |   |     research on carbon cycle     |
| that biologists and managers    |   |     dynamics, hydroclimatic      |
| will face. Managers must        |   |     processes, and the response  |
| increasingly adopt an adaptive  |   |     of the components of the     |
| approach to decision making. It |   |     hydrologic cycle to climate  |
| will be necessary for           |   |     change.                      |
| biologists and decision-makers  |   |                                  |
| to become more proficient at    |   | -   The Biological Resources     |
| describing and accepting        |   |     Discipline addresses a       |
| scientific uncertainty, and in  |   |     variety of issues related to |
| conducting risk analyses.       |   |     the impact of climate change |
| Enhanced partnerships with      |   |     on organisms and ecosystems, |
| landowners and strategic land   |   |     as well as assessing the     |
| acquisitions will likely be     |   |     status and trends of         |
| required to sustain populations |   |     biological resources and     |
| of plants and animals facing    |   |     predicting their responses   |
| changing climatic conditions.   |   |     to causal agents, such as    |
|                                 |   |     climate change. It also      |
| It will be critical that        |   |     maintains the National       |
| predictive climate models       |   |     Biological Information       |
| continue to be developed and    |   |     Infrastructure (NBII), a     |
| refined to reduce uncertainty.  |   |     collaborative program        |
| Further, these models should be |   |     seeking to consolidate and   |
| scaled down to predict effects  |   |     disseminate information on   |
| at the ecosystem and species    |   |     the status of the species    |
| levels, and the influence of    |   |     present in the country.      |
| potentially synergistic         |   |                                  |
| environmental stressors should  |   | -   The Geography Discipline     |
| be evaluated. Refinement and    |   |     conducts research directed   |
| testing of models will require  |   |     to understand the rates,     |
| extensive monitoring data,      |   |     causes, and consequences of  |
| which can be collected on       |   |     landscape change over time,  |
| Service lands. Service          |   |     as well as archiving and     |
| biologists and managers should  |   |     disseminating the remotely   |
| work cooperatively with climate |   |     sensed images required for   |
| modelers and others in the      |   |     such research. The resulting |
| scientific community. It will   |   |     knowledge is used to model   |
| be important to continue to     |   |     processes of landscape       |
| build scientific capacity       |   |     change and to forecast       |
| within the Service to develop   |   |     future conditions. Studies   |
| and implement flexible,         |   |     are designed to document and |
| adaptive management plans. It   |   |     understand the nature and    |
| will also be essential to       |   |     causes of changes occurring  |
| develop efficient means to      |   |     on the land surface; the     |
| manage large amounts of         |   |     impacts of land surface      |
| disparate data and to           |   |     changes (including           |
| disseminate information         |   |     urbanization) on ecosystems, |
| effectively to scientists,      |   |     climate variability,         |
| decision-makers, and the        |   |     biogeochemical cycles,       |
| public.                         |   |     hydrology, and human health, |
|                                 |   |     and to develop the best      |
|                                 |   |     methods of incorporating     |
|                                 |   |     science findings in the      |
|                                 |   |     decision making process.     |
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| **Biotechnology**[^2]                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| In a very broad sense, biotechnology and bioengineering are tools     |
| used in managing and conserving plants, animals and their             |
| habitats.[^3] In 2000, an estimated 109 million acres worldwide were  |
| planted with genetically modified crops to increase yield, product    |
| viability and desirability, or economic return. The United States is  |
| the world leader in this agricultural practice, and its use of        |
| genetically modified organisms (GMOs) continues to increase.          |
|                                                                       |
| Production and use of genetically modified, genetically engineered,   |
| or transgenic organisms poses significant challenges for natural      |
| resource managers. Introduction of GMOs into natural environments may |
| be planned, as in the case of agricultural crops and farm animals, or |
| unplanned, as in the case of accidental release of fish and other     |
| hatchery organisms from aquaculture operations. While the effects of  |
| intentional and unintentional introductions on biodiversity and       |
| ecosystem function have not been studied extensively, many fish and   |
| wildlife biologists and research scientists presume that the          |
| consequences increase in scope and magnitude as the frequency and     |
| magnitude of introductions increase. Some potential unintended        |
| consequences of interactions between GMOs and native flora and fauna  |
| include:                                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Transfer of genetic material between species (transgenic transfer |
|     through cross-pollination)                                        |
|                                                                       |
| -   Competition within species between genetically modified and       |
|     unmodified individuals                                            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Impacts of reproduction between genetically modified and          |
|     unmodified individuals on fitness                                 |
|                                                                       |
| -   Impacts of disease transmission and resistance                    |
|                                                                       |
| -   Loss of biodiversity                                              |
|                                                                       |
| -   Impacts on microbial communities and resulting ecosystem          |
|     functions                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| -   Exacerbating the effects of global climate change and invasive    |
|     species                                                           |
|                                                                       |
| Fish and wildlife managers and scientists believe that the same       |
| biotechnology tools that can place natural systems at risk can        |
| potentially be used to benefit those systems. For example, the        |
| survival of imperiled species could be enhanced by using              |
| biotechnology tools that would increase their resistance to           |
| pathogens, diseases and invasive species, or increase their abilities |
| to survive in degraded environments.                                  |
|                                                                       |
| Fish and wildlife managers and scientists believe the development and |
| use of biotechnology and bioengineering tools has broad implications  |
| for: 1) taxonomy and the way resource managers and scientists look at |
| speciation; 2) forensics; 3) microbiological diversity; 4) methods of |
| evaluating the health of populations; 5) methods of monitoring        |
| biodiversity and community dynamics; 6) determinations of the origin  |
| of non-native species; 7) questions on the extent of hybridization;   |
| and 9) many other aspects of restoring habitat and water resources.   |
|                                                                       |
| To address these issues, the scientific and resource management       |
| communities will need: 1) ethical and professional guidelines within  |
| which to operate; 2) defined roles within the regulatory processes;   |
| 3) risk assessment and risk management tools; and 4) results          |
| monitoring. Techniques for professional improvement over time, such   |
| as conducting symposia to create communities of practice, regional    |
| and basin level working groups, inclusion of partners, and providing  |
| leadership in linking biotechnology and ecology, will also be needed. |
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+---------------------------------+---+----------------------------------+
| **Fish and Wildlife Service**   |   | **U.S. Geological Survey**       |
|                                 |   |                                  |
| The Fish and Wildlife Service   |   | USGS performs research to        |
| directly manages more than 540  |   | provide robust and reliable      |
| National Wildlife Refuges and   |   | scientific information to the    |
| 70 National Fish Hatcheries. It |   | Fish and Wildlife Service and    |
| also manages threatened and     |   | others to assist in resolving    |
| endangered species under the    |   | complex natural resource issues  |
| Endangered Species Act;         |   | such as those posed by the       |
| provides grants and aid to      |   | introduction of GMOs in the      |
| states and other partners for   |   | environment. Over the past       |
| habitat conservation; and       |   | decade, USGS has built a         |
| develops, manages, and          |   | nationwide capability to perform |
| disseminates information to     |   | cutting edge research to address |
| bureau and other audiences on   |   | emerging and complex issues in   |
| the conservation of the         |   | molecular genetics and biology.  |
| nation's natural resources.     |   | The USGS serves as the           |
| Consequently, the Service seeks |   | Department of the Interior's     |
| to refine its understanding of  |   | vanguard for developing advanced |
| two things: 1) how              |   | molecular technologies for       |
| biotechnology tools can         |   | addressing natural resource      |
| facilitate its efforts to       |   | issues.                          |
| conserve biodiversity and       |   |                                  |
| sustain ecological function on  |   | USGS's research includes the     |
| private and public lands and    |   | development and application of   |
| waters; and 2) how those same   |   | molecular and genetic techniques |
| tools can hinder such           |   | and tools to assist in species   |
| conservation efforts.           |   | and habitat conservation. USGS   |
|                                 |   | research in genetics has been    |
| The Service is committed to     |   | used to:                         |
| expanding its understanding of  |   |                                  |
| the potential risks and         |   | -   develop genetic and          |
| benefits associated with        |   |     molecular markers in a wide  |
| intentional and unintentional   |   |     variety of animals and       |
| uses of GMOs and other          |   |     plants                       |
| biotechnology tools.            |   |                                  |
| Genetically modified organisms  |   | -   resolve taxonomic issues in  |
| may play a role in species and  |   |     declining species and        |
| habitat restoration, control of |   |     species of concern           |
| invasive species, or improved   |   |                                  |
| survival of individuals in      |   | -   identify population          |
| degraded environments.          |   |     structure and appropriate    |
| Conversely, GMOs may alter      |   |     units for management         |
| ecosystem function and          |   |                                  |
| structure and may outcompete    |   | -   understand the mechanisms of |
| desired native species.         |   |     disease.                     |
|                                 |   |                                  |
| The Service has capability to   |   | The genomics revolution is       |
| explore the feasibility and     |   | providing USGS with information  |
| desirability of using these     |   | needed to develop DNA constructs |
| types of applications of        |   | that can be incorporated into    |
| biotechnology to help achieve   |   | the genomes of invasive species  |
| its conservation mission.       |   | which may allow the manipulation |
| Service lands might be used,    |   | of reproductive potential (for   |
| under strictly controlled       |   | example, so-called daughterless  |
| conditions, as natural          |   | technologies) which may assist   |
| laboratories to describe and    |   | in the eradication of these      |
| test impacts of introductions   |   | species. Proposed future work in |
| of GMOs into the environment.   |   | this area will focus on          |
| Service fish hatcheries, also   |   | genomics, gene expression, and   |
| under strictly controlled       |   | microbial biotransformation and  |
| conditions, could investigate   |   | bioremediation, all areas        |
| possibilities of using          |   | critical to understanding the    |
| genetically-altered aquatic     |   | impacts of GMOs on native        |
| species in fishery restoration  |   | communities.                     |
| and management, in partnership  |   |                                  |
| with the Service's Fish         |   | The USGS also has other          |
| Technology and Health Centers,  |   | capabilities to address          |
| USGS Science Centers, and USGS  |   | biotechnology and bioengineering |
| Cooperative Fish and Wildlife   |   | challenges:                      |
| Research Units.                 |   |                                  |
|                                 |   | -   The Biological Resources     |
| As a precursor, the Service     |   |     Discipline studies the       |
| needs to identify its current   |   |     effects of natural processes |
| base capacity for this type of  |   |     and human activities on      |
| work. While 150 scientists      |   |     biodiversity and ecological  |
| within USGS have                |   |     function. It also assesses   |
| self-identified as having       |   |     the status and trends of     |
| expertise with the              |   |     biological resources and can |
| genetics/molecular biology      |   |     predict their responses to   |
| fields and while the FWS is a   |   |     causal agents, like GMOs.    |
| recognized leader in aquatic    |   |                                  |
| genetics, the Service does not  |   |     -   The Geography Discipline |
| have a complete inventory of    |   |         conducts research        |
| its current genetics            |   |         directed to understand   |
| capabilities and assets, and    |   |         the rates, causes, and   |
| has not yet determined which of |   |         consequences of          |
| its priority genetics issues it |   |         landscape change over    |
| can handle within current       |   |         time. It also has the    |
| capabilities and which of its   |   |         capability to map the    |
| genetics issues will require    |   |         distribution of          |
| additional genetics             |   |         organisms and their      |
| capabilities.                   |   |         habitats. Both           |
|                                 |   |         capabilities could be    |
|                                 |   |         applied to GMOs to       |
|                                 |   |         better understand their  |
|                                 |   |         distribution and their   |
|                                 |   |         effects on native        |
|                                 |   |         species and communities. |
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| **Water for Ecological Needs**[^4]                                    |
|                                                                       |
| Clean water in sufficient quantity to provide for fish and wildlife   |
| and other ecosystem services has been an environmental issue for      |
| decades, but this issue will continue to intensify in the 21^st^      |
| Century as human population and demand for appropriation of           |
| fresh-water increase. It is noteworthy that in a review of recent     |
| scientific literature and reports prepared by a wide variety of       |
| scientists, scientific organizations, and governmental institutions   |
| (for example, National Academy of Sciences subcommittees), water      |
| resource issues were consistently listed as the most important, or    |
| among the most important, environmental challenges for our nation and |
| the world. Despite the historic attention to water resources shown by |
| industry, private citizens and government agencies, including the     |
| U.S. Geological Survey and the Fish and Wildlife Service, the future  |
| challenge will be to develop new research initiatives, new workforce  |
| skills and capacities, and new management strategies that reflect the |
| changing societal values about water resources that have emerged      |
| simultaneously with a growing human population placing high demands   |
| on water use.                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Societal water management goals of the 21^st^ century include         |
| maintaining and enhancing natural aquatic communities and ecosystem   |
| services. In other words, now healthy aquatic communities,            |
| sedimentation control, flood plain connectivity, high water quality,  |
| and riparian corridor enhancement are often viewed on par with the    |
| previously existing goals of water supply, flood control, channel     |
| maintenance, power production, and commerce. Thus, the paradigm has   |
| shifted from a simple question of "How much water can be taken from   |
| streams and lakes for human use?" to a more complex question of "How  |
| much water needs to be left in streams and lakes to sustain critical  |
| water-dependent natural resources?" The new paradigm includes a shift |
| to a full range of scales rather than only small scale, consideration |
| of the whole hydrograph not just minimum flows, a dynamic channel as  |
| opposed to a static channel, linkage of surface water and ground      |
| water, and ecological communities rather than single species. These   |
| shifts in scale and endpoints of concern have created gaps in the     |
| scientific information base available for management decisions, and   |
| point to the areas of greatest need for new research.                 |
|                                                                       |
| Historical evaluation of water availability focused on human needs,   |
| while providing less emphasis on the sustainability of ecosystems and |
| the high costs of replacing the ecosystem services of functional      |
| wetlands, floodplains, and naturally clean water resources with       |
| technological processes and fixes. The use and protection of water    |
| resources are expected to be controversial and increasingly litigated |
| in the United States and around the world. Humans withdraw freshwater |
| from lakes, rivers, streams, and ground water for public and domestic |
| supply, and for commercial, agricultural, and industrial activities.  |
| Surface-water withdrawals, ground-water mining, dams and other types  |
| of flow regulation, channel modification, water development, and      |
| riparian vegetation management can result in water-level depletion    |
| and (or) alteration of natural flows and levels. Atmospheric          |
| deposition and terrestrial loadings to streams, rivers, wetlands,     |
| lakes and ground water introduce contaminants, nutrients, and         |
| sediment that cause toxicity, eutrophication and siltation,           |
| respectively. Many aquatic systems have been compromised to the point |
| where the dependent fauna and flora have been severely affected.      |
| Groundwater withdrawals cause declines in ground-water levels,        |
| resulting in decreased streamflow during dry periods and increasing   |
| stream temperatures. Depletion and contamination of water resources   |
| have serious consequences for water-dependent natural resources in    |
| all areas of the Nation, not just in arid regions.                    |
|                                                                       |
| Scientific information about water availability and quality will play |
| an increasingly important role in water-resources decision-making.    |
| What is needed is interdisciplinary research aimed at improved        |
| understanding of the linkages between streamflow, habitat, and        |
| biological communities. From this research it will be possible to     |
| build the needed models and decision-making tools. Emphasis needs to  |
| be on long-term data sets of wholistic aquatic systems including      |
| flow, water quality, ground-water levels, and the dependent biota.    |
| Obtaining, distributing, and applying this information to             |
| decision-making will be the scientific and management challenge for   |
| the USGS and the FWS.                                                 |
|                                                                       |
| The following areas of inquiry are important to this issue:           |
|                                                                       |
| -   What species, species assemblages, or diversity indices are       |
|     appropriate indicators of aquatic health in various ecosystems?   |
|                                                                       |
| -   Modeling flow regimes to protect important life stages of various |
|     biota in aquatic systems                                          |
|                                                                       |
| -   Links between hydrologic models and ecosystem outcomes            |
|                                                                       |
| -   Identification of species dependent on ground water exchange with |
|     surface water sources                                             |
|                                                                       |
| -   Response of estuarine systems to flow and salinity induced        |
|     changes in food web and energy transport functions                |
|                                                                       |
| -   Improving information transfer activities to inform public and    |
|     private decision-making.                                          |
|                                                                       |
| From these activities, the appropriate science-based tools for        |
| water-resources decision-making and a compelling message about the    |
| science as well as costs and benefits of managing water to meet the   |
| needs of humans and ecosystems would emerge. This message should be   |
| based on a philosophy of using science to support critical            |
| water-resources decisions and an appreciation of the contribution of  |
| ecosystem goods and services to society.                              |
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| **Fish and Wildlife Service**   |   | **U.S. Geological Survey**       |
|                                 |   |                                  |
| The mission of the FWS is       |   | The USGS serves the Nation by    |
| working with others to          |   | providing reliable scientific    |
| conserve, protect and enhance   |   | information to 1) describe and   |
| fish, wildlife, and plants and  |   | understand the Earth; 2)         |
| their habitats for the          |   | minimize loss of life and        |
| continuing benefit of the       |   | property from natural disasters; |
| American people. Regarding the  |   | 3) manage water, biological,     |
| challenge of increased          |   | energy, and mineral resources;   |
| competition for water           |   | and 4) enhance and protect our   |
| resources, the FWS critically   |   | quality of life.                 |
| needs to better predict the     |   |                                  |
| ecological outcomes and risks   |   | The USGS has a nationwide        |
| of water management options,    |   | capability to perform            |
| such as changing flow           |   | cutting-edge research in         |
| regulation, dam removal,        |   | interdisciplinary earth-system   |
| channel modification, water     |   | science that encompasses         |
| development, and riparian       |   | hydrology and ecology along with |
| vegetation management. In       |   | geology, geography, and          |
| particular, FWS needs increased |   | information science. The ability |
| ability to make timely, high    |   | of the USGS to perform           |
| quality, science-based          |   | interdisciplinary investigations |
| recommendations regarding water |   | is critical to understanding the |
| management options in any given |   | ecological requirements of       |
| situation, and it needs to      |   | aquatic and terrestrial living   |
| provide continuing scientific   |   | resources for water resources.   |
| support along the way as water  |   | The USGS has the ability to      |
| management options are          |   | qualitatively and quantitatively |
| considered.                     |   | describe the variability in      |
|                                 |   | biological systems and the       |
| Also, due to its mission, the   |   | relation between biological      |
| FWS must recognize that water   |   | systems and hydrologic           |
| resource issues, in particular, |   | variability.                     |
| are in a highly social context  |   |                                  |
| and that we need to communicate |   | The USGS would benefit from      |
| resource management needs and   |   | increasing its capabilities to   |
| messages to the public. There   |   | develop predictive models of     |
| is a need to communicate a      |   | ecological requirements for      |
| compelling message about the    |   | water and to apply these models  |
| science and the cost/benefits   |   | in real world situations. The    |
| of ecosystem services/values.   |   | USGS has the knowledge and       |
| FWS needs to build capacity     |   | demonstrated skills in           |
| regarding water conflict        |   | supporting and sustaining        |
| communications.                 |   | long-term monitoring, data       |
|                                 |   | management and interpretation,   |
| FWS, in partnership with USGS,  |   | and information transfer and     |
| needs to establish the ability  |   | dissemination. The processes for |
| to communicate advances in      |   | dissemination of information and |
| science-based analytical tools  |   | knowledge are a critical need    |
| to meet the new water paradigm  |   | for the Nation to meet the       |
| of: understanding water         |   | current and future needs for     |
| resources on a large            |   | freshwater while preserving our  |
| (ecosystem) scale, the whole    |   | valued biological resources.     |
| hydrograph, dynamic channels,   |   |                                  |
| influences and importance of    |   | Constituencies include:          |
| both surface and groundwater,   |   | International organizations      |
| and needs of entire aquatic     |   | involved in boundary-waters      |
| communities (rather than a      |   | management like the Council on   |
| species-by-species management   |   | Economic Cooperation and the     |
| approach). Opportunities should |   | International Joint Commission;  |
| be pursued to advance effective |   | nations such as Canada and       |
| partnerships on water issues    |   | Mexico; Tribes and First         |
| with the Bureau of Reclamation, |   | Nations; DOI agencies including  |
| Environmental Protection        |   | the Bureau of Reclamation, FWS,  |
| Agency, Army Corps of           |   | the National Park Service and    |
| Engineers, National Oceanic and |   | other federal agencies including |
| Atmospheric Administration,     |   | the USDA-Natural Resources       |
| Natural Resources Conservation  |   | Conservation Service, -Forest    |
| Service, other federal          |   | Service, and -Agricultural       |
| agencies, state natural         |   | Extension Service, U.S.          |
| resource and water management   |   | Environmental Protection Agency, |
| agencies, scientific societies, |   | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,    |
| universities, non-governmental  |   | and National Oceanic and         |
| organizations, advocacy groups, |   | Atmospheric Administration;      |
| watershed councils, and local   |   | intergovernmental and            |
| water management districts.     |   | inter-state compact commissions  |
|                                 |   | such as the Western Governors'   |
|                                 |   | Association and the Council of   |
|                                 |   | Great Lakes Governors; State and |
|                                 |   | local governments; Joint         |
|                                 |   | Ventures; nongovernmental        |
|                                 |   | organizations like Ducks         |
|                                 |   | Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, and  |
|                                 |   | American Rivers; and private     |
|                                 |   | sector interests such as the     |
|                                 |   | electric power industry.         |
+---------------------------------+---+----------------------------------+

> ![](media/image1.png){width="0.6909722222222222in" height="0.75in"}

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| ![](media/image2.png){width="1.0in" height="0.5in"}**Invasive         |
| Species**[^5]                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Because of the size of the United States and the diversity of         |
| environmental conditions and ecosystems across the country, our       |
| nation is especially vulnerable to invasions of non-native species.   |
| Many invasive species have been introduced intentionally for          |
| agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, hunting, the pet trade, range   |
| improvement, erosion control and a host of other purposes. Some       |
| invasive species have been introduced accidentally, as hitchhikers in |
| agricultural, horticultural and other biological shipments; in        |
| shipping containers; on aircraft, vehicles and construction           |
| equipment; and in ballast water. Scientists estimate that because of  |
| these intentional and unintentional introductions, an additional      |
| 6,500 species of plants, animals, and pathogens now reside in our     |
| country.                                                              |
|                                                                       |
| Impacts of invasive species are widespread, but are particularly      |
| severe in certain areas, such as islands (especially Hawaii and       |
| Pacific territories), western riparian areas and rangelands, and      |
| inland waters -- including the Great Lakes and Everglades. Invasive   |
| species rank second to habitat loss as a cause of endangerment to     |
| native species, and transform the structure and functions of          |
| ecosystems by altering fire regimes, nutrient cycling, hydrology, and |
| energy flows. Invasive species typically have high reproductive       |
| rates, disperse easily, and can tolerate a wide range of              |
| environmental conditions. Often, they lack predators in their new     |
| environments. As a result, invasive species can sometimes out-compete |
| native species for prey or other resource needs (e.g., breeding       |
| sites). They may also prey upon native species, spread pathogens and  |
| parasites, or alter the genetic make up of closely related species.   |
| The effect on fish, wildlife, and plants is clear: up to 46 percent   |
| of the plants and animals Federally listed as endangered species have |
| been negatively impacted by invasive species. Invasive species have   |
| also been identified as causing significant economic impacts,         |
| particularly to agriculture, horticulture and industry. Cumulative    |
| economic impacts are estimated at \$137 billion annually, which       |
| exceeds the cost of earthquakes, floods, fires and other natural      |
| disasters *[combined]{.underline}*.                                   |
|                                                                       |
| Invasive plants alone occupy more than 100 million acres in the       |
| United States. The Bureau of Land Management estimates that each day  |
| they spread to another 4,600 acres of natural areas on Federal lands  |
| in the Western continental United States                              |
|                                                                       |
| Past efforts to detect, control and avoid invasions of non-native     |
| species in the United States have met with modest success.            |
| Improvements in effectiveness can be obtained by focusing additional  |
| resources and efforts on: 1) identifying and acquiring reliable       |
| information and methodologies needed to determine which habitats and  |
| ecosystems are most vulnerable to invasions and which species pose    |
| the greatest threats; 2) identifying cost-efficient and               |
| environmentally safe control and restoration techniques; and 3)       |
| developing models and other tools to predict future invasions and     |
| better understand their environmental, social and economic effects.   |
| Effective strategies to prevent or contain invasions will require: 1) |
| understanding pathways of introduction and methods of spread; and 2)  |
| early recognition of the potential for invasiveness is an essential   |
| part of developing effective strategies to prevent or contain         |
| invasions. Reclaiming infested lands and waterways will require       |
| additional efforts to: 1) determine how invasive species have         |
| affected native ecosystems; and 2) identify the effectiveness of      |
| alternative control methods and strategies, and any consequences they |
| may have for non-target species.                                      |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+--------------------------------+---+-----------------------------------+
| **Fish and Wildlife Service**  |   | **U.S. Geological Survey**        |
|                                |   |                                   |
| More than six million acres of |   | The mission of the USGS is to     |
| the National Wildlife Refuge   |   | provide reliable scientific       |
| System (NWRS) are infested     |   | information on the                |
| with invasive plants,          |   | characteristics of the Earth,     |
| impacting the wildlife         |   | minimize the impacts of natural   |
| management objectives on       |   | disasters, and manage the         |
| nearly 50 percent of all       |   | nation's resources. As discussed  |
| refuges. Refuges use a         |   | above, invasive species can       |
| combination of means including |   | significantly alter the           |
| physical removal of organisms, |   | characteristics of the Earth and  |
| cultural methods (native       |   | impact the nation's biological    |
| revegetation, prescribed       |   | resources.                        |
| burning, water management),    |   |                                   |
| biological controls, and       |   | The USGS has several mechanisms   |
| chemical treatments to control |   | that have helped produce          |
| and eradicate invasive         |   | scientific knowledge and          |
| species.                       |   | establish scientific capacity     |
|                                |   | that has been instrumental in     |
| The Service also works with    |   | addressing conservation           |
| the national Aquatic Nuisance  |   | challenges associated with        |
| Species (ANS) Task Force to    |   | invasive species:                 |
| implement the Nonindigenous    |   |                                   |
| Aquatic Nuisance Prevention    |   | -   USGS's Institute of Invasive  |
| and Control Act of 1990. The   |   |     Species Science (IISS) is a   |
| ANS Task Force coordinates the |   |     consortium of partnerships    |
| activities of its members to   |   |     that leverage USGS            |
| prevent and control aquatic    |   |     capabilities with those of    |
| nuisance species and develop   |   |     other agencies and            |
| educational activities and     |   |     organizations to meet user    |
| partnerships among Federal     |   |     needs. IISS facilitates the   |
| agencies. In addition, the     |   |     National Biological           |
| Service combats invasive       |   |     Information Infrastructure's  |
| species in other noteworthy    |   |     Invasive Species Information  |
| ways:                          |   |     Node, which provides access   |
|                                |   |     to invasive species           |
| -   The FWS also has seven     |   |     information and tools.        |
|     regional ANS Task Force    |   |     Through IISS, USGS is         |
|     coordinators who respond   |   |     developing national early     |
|     to aquatic invasive        |   |     detection, monitoring, and    |
|     species and their impacts. |   |     forecasting capabilities (in  |
|                                |   |     cooperation with the NASA and |
| ```{=html}                     |   |     other partners), and          |
| <!-- -->                       |   |     providing technical           |
| ```                            |   |     assistance and training to    |
| -   The Partners for Fish and  |   |     resource managers in using    |
|     Wildlife Program assists   |   |     available information and     |
|     private landowners, tribes |   |     tools to support effective    |
|     and others in improving    |   |     responses to invasive         |
|     wildlife habitat on their  |   |     species. This effort includes |
|     lands, including through   |   |     development of a national     |
|     invasive species           |   |     database for the NWRS that    |
|     management and             |   |     will enable FWS managers to   |
|     reintroduction of native   |   |     track and combat invasive     |
|     plants.                    |   |     species.                      |
|                                |   |                                   |
| -   The Coastal Program,       |   | -   USGS research focuses on the  |
|     Endangered Species         |   |     following areas:              |
|     Program, the Migratory     |   |                                   |
|     Bird Partnership Programs, |   |     -   [Prevention]{.underline}. |
|     Law Enforcement, Project   |   |         Identifying, quantifying, |
|     Planning, and the National |   |         monitoring, and managing  |
|     Fish Hatchery System all   |   |         pathways and associated   |
|     play important roles in    |   |         vectors of transport.     |
|     invasive species           |   |                                   |
|     management and prevention. |   |     -   [Early detection and      |
|                                |   |         rapid                     |
| -   The International Affairs  |   |         response]{.underline}.    |
|     Program evaluates          |   |         Identifying and reporting |
|     potentially invasive       |   |         new invasions and         |
|     foreign species for        |   |         assessing risks to        |
|     inclusion on the list of   |   |         natural areas.            |
|     injurious wildlife species |   |                                   |
|     and processes permit       |   |     -   [Monitoring]{.underline}. |
|     applications for           |   |         Designing statistically   |
|     importation and interstate |   |         reliable multi-scale      |
|     transport of injurious     |   |         monitoring of established |
|     wildlife species.          |   |         invaders through          |
|                                |   |         integrated use of         |
| The Service has identified     |   |         historical records,       |
| several strategies that appear |   |         remote sensing/ GPS/GIS   |
| to offer promise in combating  |   |         technologies, and field   |
| invasive species:              |   |         sampling methods that     |
|                                |   |         document invasion         |
| -   Additional scientific      |   |         patterns.                 |
|     knowledge and capacity are |   |                                   |
|     needed to address the      |   |     -   [Identifying              |
|     challenges of invasive     |   |         effects]{.underline}.     |
|     species in the areas of    |   |         Providing information on  |
|     prevention, early          |   |         factors influencing       |
|     detection, monitoring,     |   |         species invasiveness and  |
|     risk assessment, control,  |   |         habitat vulnerability,    |
|     pathways analysis, basic   |   |         the effects of invaders   |
|     ecological research,       |   |         on ecosystem processes    |
|     database integration,      |   |         and native species, and   |
|     mapping, ecological and    |   |         ecological risk           |
|     economic modeling and      |   |         assessments for priority  |
|     forecasting, and           |   |         species.                  |
|     restoration.               |   |                                   |
|                                |   |     -   [Control and              |
| -   Operational programs need  |   |         management]{.underline}.  |
|     to incorporate             |   |         Providing approaches to   |
|     consideration of invasive  |   |         contain, reduce, and      |
|     species issues into their  |   |         eliminate populations of  |
|     resource management        |   |         invasive species and      |
|     strategies. Various plans  |   |         restore habitats and      |
|     that the FWS either        |   |         native species.           |
|     produces or reviews, such  |   |                                   |
|     as refuge Comprehensive    |   |     -   [Information              |
|     Conservation Plans,        |   |         management]{.underline}.  |
|     Fishery Management Plans,  |   |         Facilitating one-stop     |
|     and endangered species     |   |         Internet shopping for     |
|     Habitat Conservation Plans |   |         information on all        |
|     and Recovery Plans, need   |   |         aspects of the invasive   |
|     to contain realistic       |   |         species issue and provide |
|     invasive species           |   |         decision support through  |
|     management strategies,     |   |         the NBII.                 |
|     including reallocations of |   |                                   |
|     resources if necessary.    |   |                                   |
|     Land management plans      |   |                                   |
|     should include an invasive |   |                                   |
|     species monitoring plan to |   |                                   |
|     help assess threats and    |   |                                   |
|     facilitate cost effective  |   |                                   |
|     management responses and   |   |                                   |
|     should contain goals and   |   |                                   |
|     objectives for working     |   |                                   |
|     with partnerships to       |   |                                   |
|     combat invasive species.   |   |                                   |
|                                |   |                                   |
| -   Operational programs       |   |                                   |
|     should have standard       |   |                                   |
|     operating procedures       |   |                                   |
|     (SOPs) for refuges and     |   |                                   |
|     hatcheries that prevent    |   |                                   |
|     the spread of invasive     |   |                                   |
|     species. In addition, work |   |                                   |
|     contracts should be        |   |                                   |
|     written so that            |   |                                   |
|     construction companies are |   |                                   |
|     required to take           |   |                                   |
|     precautions against        |   |                                   |
|     spreading invasive         |   |                                   |
|     species.                   |   |                                   |
|                                |   |                                   |
| -   Operational programs that  |   |                                   |
|     are involved with or in    |   |                                   |
|     some way regulate import   |   |                                   |
|     and export of potentially  |   |                                   |
|     invasive species should    |   |                                   |
|     explore additional ways of |   |                                   |
|     "closing the door" on the  |   |                                   |
|     import and export of       |   |                                   |
|     potentially invasive       |   |                                   |
|     species. At the national   |   |                                   |
|     level, new policies, new   |   |                                   |
|     legislation and new        |   |                                   |
|     conservation authorities   |   |                                   |
|     should be explored.        |   |                                   |
|                                |   |                                   |
| -   More effective programs,   |   |                                   |
|     policies and procedures    |   |                                   |
|     are needed to: 1) oversee  |   |                                   |
|     the use of new             |   |                                   |
|     biotechnology tools in     |   |                                   |
|     invasive species           |   |                                   |
|     management; 2) encourage   |   |                                   |
|     the application of such    |   |                                   |
|     tools when they are        |   |                                   |
|     compatible with protecting |   |                                   |
|     or restoring biodiversity  |   |                                   |
|     and ecosystem functions:   |   |                                   |
|     and 3) create a national   |   |                                   |
|     system for mapping,        |   |                                   |
|     monitoring and assessment  |   |                                   |
|     of invasive species.       |   |                                   |
+--------------------------------+---+-----------------------------------+

[^1]: The first part of this challenge summary describes how global
    climate change is expected to affect fish and wildlife resources and
    their habitats. The second part explains the responsibilities of the
    U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and how
    both bureaus can address the effects of climate change.

[^2]: The first part of this challenge summary describes how
    biotechnology is expected to affect fish and wildlife resources and
    their habitats. The second part explains the responsibilities of the
    U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and how
    both bureaus can address applications of biotechnology that enhance
    natural systems and those that do not.

[^3]: Biotechnology, for purposes of the *Future Challenges* project
    focuses on capabilities to alter the genetic structure of organisms
    and populations, primarily to increase the frequency of desired
    phenotypes (i.e., "traits"). Genetic modification, genetic
    engineering, genomics, advanced techniques and gene modeling are all
    parts of this issue.

[^4]: The first part of this challenge summary describes how water use
    and allocation are expected to affect fish and wildlife resources
    and their habitats. The second part explains the responsibilities of
    the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
    how both bureaus can better: 1) identify the water needs of fish and
    wildlife; 2) ensure that those needs are reflected in water
    allocation plans and decisions; and 3) anticipate and address any
    adverse effects on fish and wildlife caused by shortfalls in water
    allocations.

[^5]: