The Great Lakes ecosystem has been severely damaged by more than 180 invasive and non-native species. Species such as the zebra mussel, seen here, the quagga mussel, round goby, sea lamprey, and alewife reproduce and spread uncontrollably. These invasive species have no natural predators and they out-compete native species, short-circuiting food webs that have been in place for generations. It is extremely difficult to control the spread of an invasive species once it is established, which makes prevention the most cost-effective approach to dealing with organisms that have not yet entered or become established in the Great Lakes. What is one of the most effective ways to stop invasive animal species from entering the Great Lakes ecosystem? A) The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory hopes to minimize the economic impacts of species invasions by developing effective chemical biocides. B) The Great Lakes Aquatic Non-Indigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS) provides extensive invasive species collection records for the Great Lakes region. C) The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory inspects and assess the ballasts of boats to help prevent and stop the inflow of invasive species in to the Great Lakes region. D) Sea Grant extension agents will give presentations to audiences such as boaters, educators, resource managers, and the general public that include up-to-date and accurate information on the threat of invasive species.