Habitat suitability scores, network scores, and infestation status for 225 lakes in Texas and New Mexico

We applied habitat suitability indices and network analysis to identify the lakes most critical to the establishment and spread of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha). We included 225 lakes in the study area Habitat suitability indices were based on known tolerances of water chemical and physical parameters in relationship to zebra mussel growth, survival, and reproduction. We created multiple boater movement networks consisting of lake nodes and connecting roadway edges. Each network represented the potential connectivity of lakes for recreational users depending on the maximum roadway distance boaters were likely to travel. We evaluated three different maximum roadway distances based on boater movement surveys: 95% of boaters traveled within 363 km, 75% traveled within 125 km, and 50% traveled within 51 km. We recorded centrality measures of graph analysis, to help identify lakes critical to the spread of zebra mussels by acting as hubs (i.e., degree score), stepping stones (i.e., betweenness centrality), or cutpoints. We also documented each lake's infestation status as of March 2024.

[
  "010:12"
]

[
  "geospatial"
]