Tahoe AIS Control & Monitoring

Lake Tahoe Aquatic Plant Monitoring and Evaluation Program

The Aquatic Plant Monitoring Program is intended to gather, analyze, and report information relative to aquatic plant populations in Lake Tahoe, with an emphasis on collecting data that can be used to guide control efforts for aquatic invasive plants.

The purpose of this monitoring and evaluation plan is to provide appropriate protocols and detailed information required for guiding nearshore managers in consistently collecting, quantifying, and reporting on the status and trends in aquatic plant bed composition, relative abundance/density (percent cover), extent, and distribution at Lake Tahoe’s nearshore zone, marinas, and stream mouths. By design, the monitoring plan is a stand-alone document that can be implemented by either agencies or contractors that have the necessary human resource capacity and skillsets. In addition, the plan is intended to be a living document where new or revised field protocols, analysis, or reporting approaches can be included over time.

Monitoring Questions

The monitoring plan provides the necessary guidance to answer the following monitoring questions at Lake Tahoe:

Question #1 (extent): For lake‐wide surveys, what is the status of the extent (area) of invasive and native aquatic plant beds within Lake Tahoe’s nearshore zone, and how is the extent of these plant beds changing over time (trend)?

Question #2 (distribution): For lake‐wide surveys, what is the status of the distribution (spatial arrangement) of invasive and native aquatic plant beds within Lake Tahoe’s nearshore zone, and how is the distribution of these plant beds changing over time (trend)?

Question #3 (abundance/composition): For sites where aquatic plants have been documented through lake‐wide surveys, what is the status of their relative species abundance/composition (e.g., percent cover, stems/unit area) and how is percent relative species abundance/composition changing over time (trend)?

Question #4 (relative biomass volume): For sites where aquatic plants have been documented through lake‐wide nearshore surveys, what is the status of the native and invasive aquatic plant bed relative biomass volume, and how is relative biomass volume of these plant beds changing over time (trend)?

Question #5 (new establishment of invasive species): Is there evidence of new aquatic invasive plant bed establishment? If so, where and how extensive are new plant beds?

Answers to these questions will help nearshore managers to focus management and policy actions designed to achieve nearshore desired conditions, objectives and standards.