Aquatic Invasive Species Invasive Species Public Awareness Campaign

Aquatic Invasive Species

Invasive Species Public 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 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 Impacts Invasive 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 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: Plants Giant Salvinia Elephant ears Hydrilla Common water hyacinth Alligator weed

Aquatic Invasive Species: Animals Asian clam Giant Ram’s-horn snail Zebra mussels Plecostomus Nutria

Invasive Species A Closer look

Invasive Species Campaign Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) the first species to be addressed

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? • Highly destructive • Can double in size in one week • Best opportunity to reduce and control

Hello Salvinia ~ Goodbye Lakes Six month unchecked growth rate of Giant Salvinia beginning with ¼ acre All Texas Lakes (3. 2 million acres) Toledo Bend (181, 600 ac) Lake Texoma (74, 686 ac) Lake Amistad (64, 900 ac) Lake Austin (1, 599 ac)

The Lesson

How 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.

Resources Texas 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 Website www. texasinvasives. org Partnership with Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Features: – Invasives 101 – Eco-Alerts by region – Report new sightings online

Thank You!