The National Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database and Alert System

The Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database (http://nas.er.usgs.gov) functions as a repository and clearinghouse for occurrence information from across the United States. It contains locality information on more than 1,100 species of vertebrates, invertebrates and vascular plants introduced as early as 1850.  Taxa include foreign species as well as those native to North America that have been transported outside of their natural range. Locality data are obtained from many sources including literature, state, federal and local monitoring programs, museum accessions, on-line databases, websites, professional communications and on-line reporting forms.  The NAS web site provides immediate access to new occurrence records through a real-time interface with the NAS database. Visitors to the web site can use a set of pre-defined queries to obtain lists of species according to state or hydrologic basin of interest. Fact sheets, distribution maps and information on new occurrences are continually posted and updated.  Managers need to know what is new to their area, or new to a nearby area, in order to respond quickly.  Conversely, managers are encouraged to report their observations of new occurrences to the NAS database so the information can be disseminated to other managers, researchers, and the public.  In May 2004, the program developed an Alert System to notify registered users of new introductions as part of a national early detection/rapid response system.  Users can register to receive alerts based on geographic or taxonomic criteria.