Ecology and Conservation of North American Crayfishes

Target Audience:

Anyone who works with freshwater crayfishes but has little formal knowledge of their biology.

Summary and Objectives:

This is an introductory course on the biology, ecology, and conservation of freshwater crayfishes. The course covers conservation status, basic biology and ecology, identification, sampling methods (quantitative and qualitative), conservation measures, and impacts and control of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species . This course will address key characters for identification of freshwater crayfishes and will provide opportunities in the field and laboratory to practice with genus- and species-level identification; however, this is NOT solely a crayfish identification course.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the biology and ecology of freshwater crayfishes.
• List the causes of population declines in North America.
• Describe the impacts of invasive species on native crayfish populations.
• Survey for freshwater crayfishes using standardized field methods and sampling protocols.
• Identify crayfishes to the genus and some species levels.

Competencies Addressed: 

Aquatic Ecology - Intermediate, Fishery Biology - Intermediate, Conservation Biology - Intermediate