Aquatic Invasive Aquatic Invasive SpeciesSpecies

Invasive Species Invasive Species Public Awareness CampaignPublic Awareness Campaign

2009 Sunset Commission raised issue of exotic aquatic plants

and directed Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to:

“provide greater information to the public on the harm caused by releasing exotic species.”

Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

What is an invasive species? An "invasive species" is defined as a species that is non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem that

• Grows, reproduces and spreads rapidly

• Lacks natural predators and competitors

• Is disease resistant

Invasive Species ImpactsInvasive Species ImpactsInvasive species…

• Destroy habitats

• Interfere with ecosystem functions (change important processes like fire, nutrient flow and flooding)

• Decrease biodiversity by threatening the survival of native plants and animals

• Hybridize with native species

Invasive Species ImpactInvasive Species Impact

Why should I care? Invasive species…

• Threaten agriculture (crop damage)

• Are costly to treat, control and to remedy damage caused to public resources & personal equipment (US estimates $137 billion annually)

• Negatively impact recreational activities

• May reduce property values in affected areas

Aquatic Invasive Species: Aquatic Invasive Species: PlantsPlants

Giant Salvinia

Hydrilla

Elephant ears

Alligator weedCommon water hyacinth

Aquatic Invasive Species: Aquatic Invasive Species: AnimalsAnimals

Zebra mussels

Asian clam Giant Ram’s-horn snail

NutriaPlecostomus

Invasive SpeciesInvasive Species

A Closer look

Invasive Species CampaignInvasive Species CampaignGiant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) the

first species to be addressed

Giant Salvinia Giant Salvinia • Floating, rootless fern

• Grows in chains, forming dense mats

• Native of Brazil

• Popular aquarium plant

• First found in Texas in 1998

• Currently reported in over a dozen Texas water bodies and in most US coastal states

Why Giant Salvinia?Why Giant Salvinia?• Highly destructive

• Can double in size in one week

• Best opportunity to reduce and control

Hello Salvinia ~ Goodbye LakesHello Salvinia ~ Goodbye Lakes Six month unchecked growth rate

of Giant Salvinia beginning with ¼ acre

0

250

500

750

1,000

1,250

1,500

1,750

2,000

2,250

2,500

2,750

3,000

3,250

3,500

3,750

4,000

4,250

4,500

Lake

Sur

face

( T

hous

ands

of A

cres

)

Lake Austin (1,599 ac)

Lake Amistad (64,900 ac)

Lake Texoma (74,686 ac)

Toledo Bend (181,600 ac)

All Texas Lakes (3.2 million acres)

The Lesson

How You Can HelpHow You Can Help• Educate teachers, students and

parents to retain plants and animals from classroom aquariums, displays & science experiments

• Volunteer at a local park, refuge or other wildlife area to help remove invasive species

• Prevent hitchhikers ~ Learn how to clean your shoes & socks, fishing equipment, dogs, boats, cars, bikes and motorcycles

• Choose native plants for your garden and pond that are appropriate for your region. Ask your local nursery to start carrying more native plants.

ResourcesResourcesTexas Parks & Wildlife, www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Texas Invasives, www.texasinvasives.org

Protect Your Waters, www.protectyourwaters.net

Aquatic Plant Management Society: Understanding Invasive Aquatic Weeds Activity booklet and interactive web site, www.apms.org/activity.htm

University of Florida: Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/

USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/

Science Fairs ~ reducing the risk of spreading invasives, www.anstaskforce.gov/Documents/ISEF.pdf

Texas Invasives WebsiteTexas Invasives Websitewww.texasinvasives.orgwww.texasinvasives.org

Partnership with Partnership with

Lady Bird Johnson Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Wildflower Center

Features: Features:

– Invasives 101 Invasives 101

– Eco-Alerts by Eco-Alerts by regionregion

– Report new Report new

sightings onlinesightings online

Thank You!Thank You!