PREDICTING INVASION SUCCESS OF EURASIAN WATERMILFOIL

A better understanding of factors related to invasion and colonization success of exotic species might improve both the planning and impleme ntation of management fur invasions in new areas. Data from lakes cont aining Eurasian watermilfoil were evaluated to compare the extent of E urasian watermilfoil dominance to common limnological parameters. The best predictors of Eurasian watermilfoil dominance were water column t otal phosphorus and Carlson's Trophic State Index. This analysis corro borates observations that Eurasian watermilfoil appears most abundant in mesotrophic lakes and moderately eutrophic lakes.