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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program’s
Invasive Plant Patrol
V L M PWho Are We?
• Oldest, and one of the largest, citizen lake monitoring programs in U.S.
• 1000 certified volunteers monitoring over 500 lakes
• Largest collector of lake data in Maine
OUR MISSION:to train, certify and provide
technical support to volunteers who gather
scientific information about the health of Maine lakes
MAINE LAKES ARE BEING INVADED!!
Invasive Aquatic Plants listed by Maine law as immanent threats to Maine waters – 5 are HERE!
Eurasian water‐milfoilVariable water‐milfoilWater chestnutYellow floating heartCurly leaf pondweed
Brazilian elodea Fanwort Hydrilla European frogbit European naiad Parrot feather
Variable Water-milfoil
Most Abundant Invasive Aquatic Plant in Maine
Hydrilla
Pickerel Pond, Limerick, YORK CO
Damariscotta Lake, Jefferson, LINCOLN CO
Eurasian Water-milfoil
Pleasant Hill Pond, Scarborough CUMBERLAND CO
Salmon Lake, BelgradeKENNEBEC COUNTY
Curly Leaf Pondweed
West Pond, Parsonsfield
Legion Pond, Kittery
YORK CO
European Naiad
Legion Pond, Kittery, YORK CO
OTHER INVADERS
ON MAINE’SRADAR
Rusty Crayfish
Northern Pike
Invasive FaunaKNOWN to Occur in Maine
Chinese Mystery Snail
CMS are born live
Invasive FaunaNOT Known to Occur in Maine
Asian Clam Chinese Mitten Crab Spiny Water Flea
Zebra & QuaggaMussels
Invasive Flora
Purple Loosestrife Common Reed
Glossostigma
Not Here
Invasive AlgaeStarry
Stonewort
Didymo (Rock Snot)
IMPACTS
IAP Grow and Spread Rapidly
1988
Source: USGS
1993
Zebra Mussel Infestations
2005
2010
Can Take Over Large Portions of the Waterbody
This map was created to show how much of the lake is “littoral,” capable of supporting invasive aquatic plants.
• Destruction of fish habitat
• Contribute to water quality decline
• Severely impact biodiversity
• A primary cause of freshwater species extinctions
Destructive Impacts on Aquatic Ecosystems
Studies have repeatedly shown that invasive plant infestations negatively impact economic activity
associated with lakes and ponds
E c o n o m i c I m p a c t s
Depress Tourism & Recreational Activity
640,000 Maine residents recreate on Maine lakes every year
Visitors to Maine lakes spend $2.3 billion annually, generating and sustaining:
• $3.5 billion total economic activity in Maine
• $1.8 billion in annual income for Maine residents
• 50,000 jobs
From 1997 study by Kevin Boyle & Steve Kahl; figures updated in 2005 by T. Allen, Center for Tourism Research and Analysis, update commissioned by
Maine Congress of Lakes Association
. . . which impacts the tax base
Depress Property Values
Control Costs
Infestations Can Result in Complex Social Issues
Funding Challenges
50% of the people of Maine get their drinking water from surface water
sources
Potential Health Impacts
Access Issues: Should Infested Water Bodies be Quarantined?
Should Access Be Restricted to Protect Uninfested Waterbodies?
HOW DO AQUATIC INVADERS SPREAD??
All it takes is a tiny fragment or seed!
Wildlife Vectors
Primary Vector
Home Aquaria and
Water Gardens
Float planes
Divers
Anglers
Duck Hunters
Other Vectors
Meet Dick Butterfield
The Importance of Early Detection !
This is what Dick saw . . .
Looking below the native plants on the surface, this is what Dick found . . . hydrilla, one of the worlds most notorious aquatic invaders.
Dick’s find set off a coordinated rapid response
Subsequent invasive plants screening surveys on Damariscotta Lake revealed that Dick’s find was the
“pioneer” population.
Lesson #1
Early detection saves lakes & lake communities from ecological and economic disaster!
Lesson #2Invasive plants are not always where we expect
them. The more comprehensive our
surveys, the better our chances for early
detection.
The small lagoon where Dick found the hydrilla is remote from any public boat landing.
We are making a difference!!
VLMP has trained thousands of Invasive
Plant Patrollers across the State of Maine
But our work is clearly not done . . .
THE CHALLENGE
Maine is home to 6000 lakes and ponds & Thousands of miles of stream habitat
The more trained eyes on the water the better!WE NEED YOUR HELP!
VLMP Offers Free IPP Training
For the upcoming IPP workshop schedule, please visit the VLMP website
www. MaineVLMP.org
We hope to see you at A Workshop!
•
Do you know what’s growing in your favorite waterbody???