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Invasive species are accepted as one of the leading direct causes of
diversity loss in native species. Our analysis shows the spatial correlation
between humans access and crayfish (Malacostraca) habitat in the state of
Maine. The study Uses Geographic points gathered over the past fifty
years by Maine Aquatic Biodiversity project, the Maine Department of
Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection and the University of Southern Maine. The compiled data
examines crayfish environment to identify potential invasive crayfish
introduction points, and to further predict areas at high risk of crayfish
introduction Using GIS (Geographical Information Systems). Amap of
Maine was created showing a visual representation of human and natural
factors contributing to crayfish introduction, e.g. access points,
impediments, and favored environmental factors were used as criteria to,
show locations at risk of future introduction of invasive crayfish
populations. These high risk locations will be used for future studies of
possible crayfish spread throughout watersheds. This study is focused on
future survival of native Maine crayfish populations and to heighten
awareness of humans interaction with the aquatic environment.
A75meter buffer was placed on Lakes, Streams, and Ponds to show ease of access by humans
on crayfish habitat (Figure 3). Analysis will asses hot spots for future introduction of invasive
crayfish species. Below (figure 4) shows all data sets added.
Figure 1
The data consisted of some physical features that would help analyze the location and distribution of
crayfish. This data included the following shape / layer files:
Maine Counties, this information was pulled from the digital map 3.0 provided by the University of
Southern Maine (USM as it will be referred to throughout this paper). There was no manipulation needed to
apply this data-set.
Maine Towns, as with the counties data the source was the digital map 3.0 from the USM archives. There
was no manipulation applied to this data-set.
Lakes, Ponds, & Rivers, These data-sets were obtained through the digital map 3.0 at USM. The data-set
was clipped to the counties shape to exclude any outliers and a 75m buffer was place on it to show ease of
access by humans from common roadways this information will be applied to the future projection risk
analysis.
Impounds, this layer was to provide any impediment of flow throughout the Maine waterways, this was to
determine the ability of movement by the crayfish up or down the water bodies, and easy at which they are
able to do so.

Figure 2
The data is made up of cultural features that would help analyze areas where there is the likelihood of
invasive species. Adding this data would show access points to water ways used by fishermen.
Bridges, This data-set was obtained through the digital map 3.0 at USM. This data was clipped to only
represent the bridges over water bodies to limit cluttering on the map with information not pertaining to the
analysis.
Boat Launches, this data was obtained through the digital map 3.0 at USM. This data-set was added to
assist with the future projection risk analysis project that will be implemented as the overall project moves
forward; This will be one part of the analysis to determine easy of human access to waterways, to observe
impact and correlation with invasive species.
Maine Roads, This data-set was obtained through the digital map 3.0 at USM. This layer was clipped to the
Maine county shape.

As the project moves forward we would like to add a Maine hiking trails layer, water quality and
physical data in referenced to the lake and stream beds. We believe that only by adding this type of
data, a more extensive analysis of the introduction and survivability of invasive crayfish can be done.
We are also going to work with our client to create a standard in gathering data for ease of importing
new data-sets. We will also enable our client to add and manipulate additional data for further studies.
Future analysis will involve understanding the physical and cultural constraints on crayfish. Also,
analysis methods will be considered such as Network Analysis to study the moment of the invasive
species through the aquatic environment of Maine.
Our purpose for this project was to work with a client and apply analysis
tools associated with Geographic Information System (GIS) to aid their
study. Our goal was to use GIS tools that would not only aid their project
but to lay a foundation that could be expanded in the future. Using GIS
would enable us to provide visual information, accompanied with a data
base that is easily analyzed and added to.
For this project, we are working with Dr. Karen Wilson, assistant research
professor in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of
Southern Maine. Assisting Dr. Wilson is Hollis Smith, a graduate student
of the same department. Wilson is working on a project which is studying
invasive species of crayfish in the state of Maine. One of her objectives is
to identify and locate the different species of crayfish. She is also
concerned with identifying areas, which have characteristics associated
with the introduction of invasive species.
Abstract
PURPOSE AND HYPOTHESIS
MATERIALS AND METHODS
CONCLUSIONS
Figure 1
State of Maine map with Counties, Towns, Lakes, Ponds,
Rivers, and Impounds layers.
Figure 2
Bridges, Boat Launches, and Roads
Figure 3
(a) 75 meter buffer applied to Lake, Streams, and Ponds layer. (b) 75 meter Water buffer with Roads layer added.
(a) (b)
Figure 4
Area with all data sets including crayfish locations