The benefits to a facility of collecting and maintaining long-term records of monitoring data almost invariably justify the resources invested to gather/record that information. Conversely, the cost of not doing so could have a significant adverse economic impact on a facility's operation.
Recording the following types of data can be very valuable in maintaining the cost effectiveness of a facility's monitoring program over time:
Long-Term Records of Settlement Times and Rates
Long-Term Records of Growth Rates
To view record-keeping information that may be of use at a site or facility, see the following:
Record-Keeping Data for Veliger Samples
Record-Keeping Data for Settled Juvenile and Adult Samples
For information on the types of control measures that are available, see the Management and Control section.
In summary, careful record-keeping in long-term monitoring programs is important and cost-effective because it will provide reliable information for the future on:
1) Initial detection of the zebra mussel in any of its life stages.
2) Identifying seasonal/annual patterns in settling/colonization.
3) Planning and evaluating control treatments.
Long-Term Records of Settlement Times and Rates
Long-Term Records of Growth Rates