ENVIS Newsletter on Wetland Ecosystem

Vol. 3 No. 4 December 2007

ENVIS Page 1

ENVIS Newsletter on Wetland Ecosystem

ISSN 0972-3153

Contents

Editorial 1

Invasion of Alligatorweed in Wetlands 2

News Updates 3

Water hyacinthManagement 4

Measures foreradication of waterhyacinth 6

Recent Publicatoins 7

Upcoming Events 7

Query Form 8

ENVIS Team 8

Contact Us 8

Editorial

The Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology andNatural History (SACON) brings out the fourthissue of SAROVAR SAURABH, an ENVISNewsletter on wetland ecosystems, sponsored bythe Ministry of Environment and Forests,Government of India. The major goal of theNewsletter is to share information about wetlandswith various users and, to highlight conservationissues of relevance to wetland community ofprofessionals, managers, environmentalists andother stakeholders.

This newsletter deals with the effects of invasiveexotic species on wetlands in different parts of thecountry. This issue focuses on two most theatenedinvasive weeds, Alternanthera philoxeroides andEichhornia crassipes, its effect on wetlands, local usesand bioremediation. It is again hoped thatstakeholders in wetland conservation and all otherENVIS centres can make use of these informationeffectively to create public awareness for furtherwetland conservation.

To make this effort worth while, the editorialteam of SAROVAR SAURABH seeks activeparticipation of its readers in terms of providinginformation, news, views, photographs and articleson issues of wetland conservation. To make thenewsletter a truly effective forum for all wetlandconservation related issues of the country, feedbackand contributions from scientific communities andresearch groups are highly appreciated.

Spreading of Eichhornia at Upputeru creek

Invasion of Alternanthera philoxeroides (Alligator weed) in WetlandsC. Sudhakar Reddy1, * and Vatsavaya S. Raju2

1Forestry & Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad-500 037, Andhra Pradesh2Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009, Andhra Pradesh

*Email: [email protected]

Introduction

Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb.(Alligator weed) of Amaranthaceae is regarded as oneof the worst weeds in world, because of itsinvasiveness, potential for spread, and economic andenvironmental impacts. I t is an especiallytroublesome weed because it invades both land andwater and is very difficult to control.

Description

Aquatic perennial, prostrate herbs, with manyerect branches. Roots: Fibrous, stems root from lowernodes. Stems: Thick, soft, hollow, grooved, oftenreddish, branching, to 10 m or more long, floating orcreeping. Stem tips upright, as much as 1 m abovethe water. Leaves: Waxy, elliptical to egg-shaped,5-10 cm long, margins entire, in opposite pairs,stalkless or with a short leaf stalk. A ring of whitehairs is found between the bases of the oppositeleaves. Flowers: White, small papery florets in six-to twenty-flowered, clover-like heads up to 13 mmin diameter. Flower heads solitary on stalks up to 9cm long in leaf axils, or on short stalks at the ends ofthe branches. Flowering from December to February.Fruit: Not produced and reproduction is only fromstem fragments (Reddy & Raju, 2005) (Fig. 1).

Habitat

Alligator weed grows under a wide range ofconditions on land and water. Alligator weed formsnew shoots in spring from nodes on existing stemsor rhizomes. It can grow with roots embedded in thebank or on the bottom of shallow water bodies, orfloat freely on the water surface. It spreads its leavesacross the water surface, forming dense mats. Thelong spreading stems are hollow, helping it to float.The roots are thin and stringy, and trail in the waterfrom the joints between plant segments (the nodes).Optimum growth occurs in fresh water with a highnutrient level. It can tolerate brackish water, and onceestablished on land will survive extreme dry periods.Considering its vigorous growth and ability tore-establish from stem fragments, alligator weed hasthe potential to establish in all wetland areasincluding water bodies of agricultural and urbanareas (Fig. 2) (Gilbert et al., 2004).

Geographical range

It has a widespread distribution. Alligator weedis native to temperate regions of South America,especially Argentina. It is now found as a seriouspantropical weed throughout tropical and warmtemperate regions, including the US, China, India,South-East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

One of the reasons that alligator weed poses sucha dramatic threat is its ability to live in both aquaticand terrestrial habitats. It can tolerate brackish(slightly salty) water but thrives in nutrient-richwater. Ideal terrestrial habitats include places thatare regularly inundated or that have high rainfall orirrigation.

Interaction with animals

Alligator weed, itself benefits from the destructiveforaging activities of vertebrates, such as pigs, cattle,goats, through enhanced vegetative propagation.

Phytoremediation

Alternanthera philoxeroides was used for removalof lead and mercury from polluted waters. It is alsopossible to supplement the dietary requirement ofhuman food with Zn and Fe as these being essentialnutrients and the plant species are edible (Prasad &Freitas, 2003).

Uses

Leaves used as vegetable. Warm leaf extract isapplied as hair tonic.

The problem

Alligator weed poses an extreme threat towaterways, wetlands and irrigated croplands. Thesethick, dense rafts can:

1. Restrict water flow in creeks, channels and drains.2. Impede recreational water sports and boating access.3. Damage pumping and irrigation equipment and other structural features.4. Increase water loss through evapotranspiration.5. Reduce water quality by preventing light penetration and reducing oxygenation of water.6. Create a favourable habitat for mosquitoes.

Sarovar Saurabh, Vol. 3, No. 4 Page 2

Fig.2. Aggressive colonization of Alligator weed

7. Reduce water bird and fish activity.8. Make swimming dangerous.9. Cause the death of native, submerged water plants and fish.10. Replace native wetland plants.

Key points

Alligator weed poses a significant economicand environmental threat.

It can grow in water or on land, and has beenmistakenly grown in the past as a food.

Prevention is the most cost-effective form ofweed control. Quarantine, early detection andgood hygiene within infestations will preventits spread.

Mechanical and chemical control, integratedwith biological control, is effective onestablished aquatic growth forms(Tan et al., 2002).

However, care must be taken because it spreadseasily from fragments.

Ongoing follow-up control will be required.

Fig.1. Alligator weed

References

Gilbert, R. L., Auld, B.A., Hennecke, B. and Smith,H. (2004). Appendix 3. Preliminary Results of theAlligator Weed Disease Survey in NSW 2002 – 2003. 2ndAlligator Weed Workshop 2004.

Reddy, C. S. and Raju, V. S. (2005). Invasion ofAlligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) inAndaman Islands. Journal of Bombay Natural HistorySociety, 102(1): 133.

Prasad, M. N. V. and Freitas, H. M. D. O. (2003).Metal hyperaccumulation in plants - Biodiversityprospecting for phytoremediation technology.Electronic Journal of Biotechnology [Online: http://www.ejbiotechnology.info/content/vol6/issue3/full/6/index.html]

Tan W. Z., Li Q. J. and Qing, L. (2002). Biologicalcontrol of alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)with a Fusarium sp. BioControl 47(4): 463-479.

Lake Protection Authority in HyderabadChief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy hasannounced that a Lake Protection Authority will beconstituted immediately for protection of all waterbodies in the Hyderabad Metropolitan DevelopmentAuthority. (Source: The Hindu, 23 November 2007)

NGO conducts eco-study of lakesA Mumbai based non-government organisation(NGO), Grass Root is conducting an ecological studyof the Nagapur city’s water bodies. The study hasbeen commissioned by the Nagpur MunicipalCorporation (NMC) as part of its city’s stormwaterdrain masterplan. the study covers six lakes—Ambazari, Telangkhedi, Sonegaon, Gorewada,Sakkardara and Gandhisagar—and Nag and Pilirivers. (Source: Times of India, 16 December 2007)

500 Hyderabad lakes to get life

About 500 lakes under Greater Hyderabad MunicipalCorporation are selected for conservation. The ChiefMinister has entrusted the conservation, protection,beautification and maintenance of these lakes in theGHMC area to Hyderabad Urban DevelopmentAuthority (HUDA). conservation of these allimportant water bodies are very important and theyare vulnerable to encroachment by vested interestsand land grabbers. Hence the HUDA shouldimmediately swing into action and protect all theidentified lakes in the GHMC areas by constructinglake buds and fencing. No unauthorised constructionshould be allowed to come anywhere on the FTL orcatchment areas of these tanks including the majorones like Himayatsagar, Osmansagar, Miralam Tanketc. (Source: http://appoliticalnews.blogspot.com)

News Updates


WATER HYACINTH (EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES) - MANAGEMENT OF ANINVASIVE WEED, THE INDIAN SCENARIO

1Division of Landscape Ecology, SACON, Deccan Regional Station, Hyderabad-500 017, A.P.2School of Environmental Sciences,Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarsini Hills, Kottayam-686 560, Kerala

*Email: [email protected]

S. Prasanth Narayanan1,*, K. Anitha1,2 and S. Narendra Prasad1

Introduction

Water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solmsof family Pontederiaceae is a native of South America,is one of the worst aquatic weeds in the world. It isintroduced into India in 1896 as an ornamental plantat botanical garden at Bengal (Biswas & Calder, 1954).This plant has become an environmental and socialmenace in most of the water bodies of the country.

The species has invaded almost all water bodiesof the country leaving Himachal Pradesh, Jammu andKashmir and Mizoram. Among these we believe thetemperate climate of Himachal Pradesh and Jammuand Kashmir prevented them from the waterhyacinth invasion. Our field experiences in differentwetlands of India indicate that the water hyacinth

Sl. No. Name State Location Status

1 Ashtamudi Wetland Kerala 08° 57' N 076° 35’ E 2 Bhitarkanika Mangroves Orissa 20° 39' N 086° 54’ E X3 Bhoj Wetland Madhya Pradesh 23° 14' N 077° 20’ E ND4 Chandertal Wetland Himachal Pradesh 32° 29' N 077° 36’ E ND5 Chilika Lake Orissa 19º 42' N 085º 21’ E 6 Deepor Beel Assam 26° 08' N 091° 39’ E 7 East Calcutta Wetlands West Bengal 22° 27' N 088° 27’ E 8 Harike Lake Punjab 31º 13’ N 075º 12’ E 9 Hokera Wetland Jammu & Kashmir 34° 05' N 074° 42’ E ND10 Kanjli Wetland Punjab 31° 25' N 075° 22’ E 11 Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan 27º 13’ N 077º 32’ E 12 Kolleru Lake Andhra Pradesh 16° 37' N 081°12’ E 13 Loktak Lake Manipur 24º 26’ N 093º 49’ E 14 Point Calimere Wildlife Tamil Nadu 10° 19' N 079° 38' E ND

and Bird Sanctuary15 Pong Dam Lake Himachal Pradesh 32° 01' N 076° 05’ E X16 Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh 31° 37' N 077° 27’ E X17 Ropar Wetland Punjab 31° 01' N 076° 30’ E 18 Rudrasagar Lake Tripura 23° 29' N 090° 01’ E ND19 Sambhar Lake Rajasthan 27º 00’ N 075º 00’ E X20 Sasthamkotta Lake Kerala 09° 02' N 076° 37’ E 21 Surinsar-Mansar Lakes Jammu & Kashmir 32° 45' N 075° 12’ E X22 Tsomoriri Wetland Jammu & Kashmir 32° 54' N 078° 18’ E X23 Vembanad-Kol Wetland Kerala 09° 50' N 076° 45’ E 24 Wular Lake Jammu & Kashmir 34º 16’ N 074º 33’ E X25 Upper Ganga River Uttar Pradesh 28° 33' N 078° 12' E ND

(Brijghat to Narora Stretch)

Table 1. Status of Eichhornia crassipes in different Ramsar Sites of India

-

Pres

ent;

X –

Abs

ent;

ND

– N

o D

ata

Ava

ilab

le

infestation is increasing at an alarming rate. Most ofthe Country’s Ramsar sites have been proliferatedby the species (see table-1).

Its rapid growth rate enables to invede extensiveareas of naturally open water and produce enormousamounts of biomass. The mats of this plant blockthe air-water interface and reduce oxygen levelleading to the degradation of the water quality whichin turn reduces the species richness of the aquaticecosystem. The mats also eliminate submergedplants by blocking sunlight. Moreover, the matsprovide shelter to the mosquitoes as causalorganisms of several vector borne diseases in humanbeings and help to spread certain deadly diseasessuch as schistosomiasis and malaria, encephalitisand filariasis.


When water hyacinth spreads, entire ecology ofthe invaded aquatic body will be changed. It restrictsprimary productivity by reducing the photosynthesisof phytoplanktons through shading the watercolumn and increase sedimentation. This will leadsto de-oxygenation with a detrimental impact onaquatic organisms, especially fish. The shading andcrowding of native aquatic plants dramaticallyreduces biological diversity in aquatic ecosystems.

Water hyacinth mats competitively exclude nativesubmersed and floating-leaved plants. Its prolificgrowth causes considerable economic problems andaffects fisheries, traffic, irrigation, water supply andthe whole ecology of the infested lake. Its role inevapotranspiration and changing the ecologicalcharacter for the adverse is well known. However,this is also recognized as a water purifier due to itsability to absorb heavy metals from the water bodies.At the same time, its death and decay within thewetland can lead to re-entry of these chemicals inwater further leading to eutrophication. We outlineutility of various technologies into weedmanagement programme.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the cheapest and mostsustainable control method for weed eradication aschemical and mechanical control measures areexpensive and hampered by reinfestation from itslong-lived seeds. Bioremediation would serve as thebest method for locations where water hyacinthcontinues to grow at greater than acceptable levels.It has proved to be an adequate control method inseveral instances in developing countries such asSudan, Papua New Guinea, and Benin. Table-2summarises various natural enemies of waterhyacinth reported from different parts of world.Using currently available agents, it usually reducesextent of the infestation, climate, water quality, andother control options. In conjugation with otheravailable tools like herbicides application, physical

Scientific Name Group Parts affected

Neochetina bruchi Weevil Vegetative partNeochetina eichhorniae Weevil Vegetative partNiphograpta albiguttalis Moth Vegetative partXubida infusellus Moth Vegetative partOrthogalumna terebrantis Mite Vegetative partEccritotarsus catarinensis Bug Vegetative partCornops aquaticum Grass hopper Vegetative partChiromonus larvae Worm Vegetative partAlternaria eichhorniae Microbes Vegetative partCercospora piaropi Microbes Vegetative partAcermonium zonatum Microbes Vegetative part Brachinus sp. Carabid Reproductive

part-FlowerEccitotarsus catarinensis Mirid Vegetative partThrypticus sp. Fly Vegetative partMegamelus sp. Plant hopper Vegetative part

Table 2. List of natural pests of Eichhornia crassipesreported from different parts of the world

removal, manipulation of flows, and reductions ofnutrient input is expected to increase the pace oferadication of the weed from the aquatic ecosystem.

Application of Geo-spatial tools in WeedManagement

The major limitations of traditional methods ofwater hyacinth eradication programmes areinaccessibility of the areas for field sampling due tothe dense mats of water hyacinth, the largegeographic areas of infestation which requireextensive travel for adequate sampling, theexceptional high growth rate of this weed bringsrapid changes in their extent and density, themovement of vegetation mats and effects of weatheron plant growth rates.Modern spatial approaches arecost effective and an efficient tool to assess andmonitor the relatively homogenous species patchesdistributed over large geographical areas. Remotelysensed multispectral data with groundmeasurements of cover, density, biomass, or leaf area,vegetation condition measured at sample pointscould be extrapolated across a large geographicregion. This information is valuable in determiningtrends, confirming field reports, assessing the efficacyof control measures, providing early warning beforea developing problem reaches a critical state, andgeneral strategic planning. Remote sensing providesa critical tool for monitoring the status of infestationsas well as detecting impediments to waterborneMassive growth of Eichhornia in Kolleru Lake


transportation caused by aquatic plant infestations.Sensors especially like ASTER, IKONOS,QUICKBIRD and LISS IV MX can be employed inthe mapping of Eichhornia.

Utility of Water Hyacinth

Despite the detrimental effects of the waterhyacinth infestation, the weed has several economicuses, which can be part of its management. Thecapacity of water hyacinth for accumulating heavymetals and organic contaminants, together with itswide tolerance to environmental conditions is wellrecognized. Its rapid growth and multiplication hasled, among other things, to various applications asan animal food, paper and other products, or ascompost (Mehra et al., 1999). Anaerobic digestion ofwater hyacinth produces biogas -methane(Teherruzan & Kushani, 1989). Water hyacinth isbeing used to cleanup metal-contaminated aquaticecosystems. In Hong Kong, water hyacinth has beenused for freshwater treatment. Many studiesreported the ability of water hyacinth for theaccumulation of heavy metals such as lead (Pb),chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), andcopper (Cu) (Tiwari et al., 2007).

Suggested Measures for Eradication of waterhyacinth

Since water hyacinth infestation is very seriousand involves a concentrated effort among allstakeholders, we believe that there is a strong casefor establishing linkages between the stakeholdersfor effective eradication. Table 3 sketches out the

eradication potential for water hyacinth for variousstakeholders at different spatial scales. Thuscommunity at the local level such as farmers andfisher men can contribute their labor in removingthe weed in one or two tanks in a radius of > 2 km.Wildlife conservation officials of various protectedareas need to mount an action plan for the weederadication from the respective protected areas andthe immediate surroundings. Various NGO’s canco-ordinate the effort to eradicate the weed from theirarea of interest. The activities include creatingawareness to various target groups, co-ordinate theeradication programme on a regular basis. NationalRivers Conservation Directorate (NRCD) of theMinistry of Environment and Forests, Governmentof India may mount a serious coordinatingmechanism specifically tailored to water hyacinthmanagement. It has launched the river cleaning in

1 Community Farmers/ Fishermen 1-2 tanks in a Can be extendedradius of >2 km with appropriate

linkages with NGO’sand Govt. authorities

2 Officials of Wildlife Conservation Protect areas Structured programme(few sq. km – several sq. kms) to be evolved for

district to regional level

3 NGO’s Few water bodies Co-ordination withcommunities

4 NRCD (National Rivers Conser- Several hundred of kms River basin level vation Directorate), MoEF, GOI

5 Pollution Control Board Regional level Local to regional level

6 Tourism department Regional level Local to regional level

Table 3. Matrix of stakeholders and weed eradication potential

S.No. Stakeholders Scale of operation Potential

Eichhornia spreading in Hussain Sagar Lake


1995 to cover 18 major rivers in 10 states of thecountry. Pollution control board can be performedvarious monitoring programmes for pollutionabatement and weed eradication from local -regionallevel. Tourism department can be involved in weedmanagement programmes of area of aesthetic andrecreational value from local-regional level.

References

Biswas, K. and Calder, C.C. (1954). Handbook ofcommon water and Marsh Plants in India and Burma.Health Bull, 24 pp.

Mehra, A., Farago, M. E. and Banerjee, D. K.(1999). The water hyacinth: an environmental friendor pest? A review. Resource, Environment andBiotechnology, 2: 255–281.

Teherruzan, Q. and Kushani, D. P. (1989).Evaluation of some aquatic macrophytes cultivatedin enriched water as possible source of protein andbiogas. Hydrobiological Bulletin, 23: 207-212.

Tiwari, S., Dixit, S. and Verma, N. (2007). AnEffective Means of Biofiltration of Heavy MetalContaminated Water Bodies Using Aquatic WeedEichhornia crassipes. Environmental Monitoring andAssessment, 129: 253–256.

Vijayan, V.S., Prasad, S.N., Vijayan, L. andMuralidharan, S. (2004). Inland wetlands of India –conservation priorities. Salim Ali Centre forOrnithology and Natural History, Coimbatore.

Wetlands in the 21st Century: Altered Landscapes& Changing Climates, 31 January - 1 February2008, Oconomowoc, WisconsinOrganized by: Wisconsin Wetlands AssociationContact: http://www.wisconsinwetlands.org/2008conference.htm

EPA 2008 Wetlands and Watersheds Conference7-11 April 2008, Kansas City, MissouriOrganized by: United Environment ProtectionAgency, USAContact: http://08wetlandswatershed.com/

Coastal Environment 2008 Conference, 19 - 21May 2008, The New Forest, United KingdomOrganized by: Wessex Institute of TechnologyContact: http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2008/coast08/

Capitalizing on Wetlands InternationalConference 2008, 26-30 May 2008, Washington D.C.Organized by: The Society of Wetland ScientistsContact: http://www.sws.org/2008_meeting/

Third International Conference BALWOIS 2008,27-31 May 2008, Ohrid – Republic of MacedoniaOrganized by: Balkan Institute for Water and EnvironmentContact: http://balwois.viabloga.com/

The 8th International Wetlands Conference, 20-25 July 2008, Cuiaba, BrazilOrganized by: International Association For EcologyContact: http://www.cppantanal.org.br/intecol/

Coast to Coast Conference 2008 ,18-22 August2008, Darwin, AustraliaOrganized by: Australian Coastal SocietyContact: http://www.coast2coast.org.au/

International Conference on Climate Change andGlobal Warming (CCGW 2008), 12-14 September2008, Heidelberg, GermanyOrganized by: World Academy of Science,Engineering and TechnologyContact: http://www.waset.org/ccgw08/cfp.html

Wetlands 2008: Wetlands and Global ClimateChange, 16-18 September 2008, Portland, OregonOrganized by: Association of State Wetland ManagersContact: http://www.aswm.org/

The 11th International Conference on WetlandSystems For Water Pollution Control 2008 - India,1-7 November 2008, Vikram University, IndoreOrganized by: International Water AssociationContact: http://www.wetland2008.org/SaveWater/

Recent Publications

Upcoming Events

Bhattacharyya A., Sharma, J., Shah, S. K. andChaudhary, V. (2007). Climatic changes during thelast 1800 yrs BP from Paradise Lake, Sela Pass,Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast Himalaya. CurrentScience, 93(7): 983-987.

Gogoi, R. (2007). Conserving Deeper Beel RamsarSite. Current Science, 93(4): 445-446.

Reddy, C. S., Pattanaik Chiranjibi and Murthy,M. S. R. (2007). Assessment and monitoring of man-groves of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa,India using remote sensing and GIS. Current Science,92(10): 1409-1415.

Pattanaik Chiranjibi and Reddy, C. S. (2007).Need for conservation of wetland ecosystems: A casestudy of Ansupa Lake (Orissa, India) using remotesensing based data. National Academy ScienceLetters, 30(5&6): 161-164.

World Wetlands Day - 2nd February

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____________________________________________________________________________________________Editorial Team

S. Narendra Prasad, ENVIS Co-ordinator,Lalitha Vijayan, Senior Principal Scientist

P. A. Azeez, Director Incharge

ENVIS TeamChiranjibi Pattanaik, Senior Program Officer

Madhu Routhu, Web Assistant

Sponsored by: ENVIS, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Goverment of India, New Delhi.

Published byEnvironmental Information System (ENVIS) Centre,Salim Ali Centre for Onithology & Natural History (SACON)

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