invasive species Attack!

by: Brendan Ambrose Dawei Tang Eleanor Cota Eric Highfield Janae Hill Michael Morrison Vytas Pabedinskas

Looking at invasive species and their impact on wetland and aquatic environments

Silver flying carp

Invasive Species

Introduction“Invasive” concept: outdated? outmoded?

Emotional vs Rational Approach: is it worth the price to remove introduced species to maintain idyllic conditions

Lack of research indicating populations of native species are affected and that species diversity suffers (?????????)

What is the value of a native species? Does it represent evolutionary fitness or ecological naivity?

Inappropriate to equate introduced with invasive. Many introduced species can be useful and be managed to prevent negative impactsCommonality between species: frightening literature

Invasive Species

Asian Carp-2 species originating in China, imported into the US for Aquaculture in the 1970’s-Used to clean up aquaculture facilities, feed on algae and plankton

-Escaped and started colonizing their way up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers-Threatening to invade the Great lakes, a 7 billion dollar per year recreational fishery-Bighead carp

(Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)-Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Invasive Species

-First imported to Arkansas and Mississippi to clean up fish farms-Studies indicate that Carp constitute 96% of the fish biomass in some parts of the Mississippi river

Asian Carp

Invasive Species

-Silver carp jump from the water when startled-1.5 meter projectile fish have caused numerous injuries to humans-Preventative measures are being taken by the Army core of Engineers to prevent the spread into the great lakes, primarily an underwater “electro fence to prevent further penetration-It is possible that carp have already populated parts of lake Michigan, as carp DNA has been found in parts of the lake

Asian Carp

Invasive Species

Scientific Name: Phragmites australis

Description: Tall perennial grass with elongated leaves that are about one inch wide at their widest point and stems contain bushy purple or gold colored flowers.

Common reed

Invasive Species

THREAT: High biomass blocks light to other plants and occupies all the growing space below ground thus choking out other vegetation.

HISTORY: Non-native strains made their way to the Atlantic coast in ballast material in the late 18th or early 19th centuries.

Common reed

Invasive Species

Common reed Remediation:

Brushcutting, herbicides, mowing, and prescribed fire

Vineyard Option:Roasted Phragmites

RecipeIngredients:12 Phragmites rhizomes½ teaspoon sea saltDirections:Wash thoroughly, bake in oven at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with sea salt before serving.

Invasive Species

Crayfish• Introduction as source of food

• Generalist• High Fecundity• No predators•Spread through negligence

Invasive Species

Status of Rusty Crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) as of July 2010:

Presumed not present.

Status of Red Claw Crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)as of July 2010:

Presumed not present.

Crayfish

Invasive Species

Control techniques

Trapping

Awareness

Mandatory techniques for movement

Crayfish

Invasive Species

Feral pigsDefinition

•Feral: Once was domesticated, but now wild due to release or escape.• Sus scrofa: Old world family Suidae

Origin •Brought over by early Explorers

Distribution •44 of 50 states have populations

Invasive Species

Feral pigs•Problems

•Rooting•Destroys littoral zone vegetation -- Eutrophy•Causes erosion issues

•Wallows – Regulate body temp•Vectors for many diseases, E. coli

•Plum Creek, California Spinach•Diet

•Opportunistic feeders; EAT ANYTHING

Invasive Species

Feral pigsSolutions

•Hunting - authorized 365 days/year, 24hrs.•Regulations - Black Bass Act•Euthanasia of captured pigs•Used to feed starving families

Invasive Species

Giant ReedScientific name: Arundo

donax -Largest member of genus (8m)-Native to freshwater of eastern Asia-Hydrophyte that can use 2,000L/m, growing up to 5cm per day- Can produce 20 tons/ha above ground dry mass- A cultivated species that has travelled the world- Used for musical instruments, fiber production, fences, thatch for roofs

Invasive Species

Giant ReedBrought to southern California from the

Mediterranean in 1820s for erosion controlIn North America species only spreads through fragmentation of roots during flooding events, strictly asexual

Changes riparian to zone defined by fire and not flood events; roots easily survive fire, replacing natives

Invasive Species

Giant Reed

Arundo waspTetramesa romana

-Removal is labor intensive, and has to include roots- Rodeo ® herbicide - Biological controlspecies specific herbivory Native plants

quickly recover when A. donax is removed, indicating that it does not occupy an abandoned niche

Invasive Species

Snakehead carpFamily Channidae, within 2

genera, 28 species: - Channa (snakeheads of

Asia, Malaysia and Indonesia), and

- Parachanna (African snakeheads)

Long and cylindrical with enlarged scales on their head, hence the common name of snakehead.

Compete with native species for food at all life stages for food.

They are air-breathers and are capable of overland migration.

Invasive Species

Snakehead carpFour species are

found in California, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland and Rhode Island. Reproducing populations have been documented in Florida and Maryland.

How did they get here?• Via releases by aquarium owners;• Via the live food fish trade by individuals

releasing these fish to establish a local food source.

Invasive Species

Snakeheads (family Channidae; 2 genera (Channa and Parachanna) totaling 28 known species) are currently in the Injurious Species List of Fish and Wildlife Service.

This prohibits the importation and interstate transport of all 28 species.

Cost-benefit analysis done by the USGS research shows the damage significantly outweighs the benefits generated by markets.

Snakehead carp

Invasive Species

Zebra Mussel

Invasive Species

Zebra Mussel

Invasive Species

Zebra Mussel

Invasive Species

Conclusion

Survival of the fittest?

-No single solution or approach- Creativity is key- Humility to revisit, rethink strategies and recognize their shortcomings- Constant vigilance because no one can predict how a species will react in a new setting (geographic or temporal)

References available upon request