invasive species attack! by: brendan ambrose dawei tang eleanor cota eric highfield janae hill...
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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Introduction“Invasive” concept: outdated?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