Transcript Introduction to Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Introduction to Aquatic
Invasive Species (AIS)
Aquatic Invasive Plants
• "exotic", "alien", and "nonnative" means the species does not naturally
occur here, and has been brought here either accidentally or intentionally
• "native" plants occur naturally and are fully integrated into the ecosystem
• Not all alien plants are harmful, but those that are can disrupt the natural
ecosystem, out-compete native plants and take over large areas. These
plants are considered "invasive" and "nuisance" species.
• Invasive aquatic plants can get out of control because there is nothing in
the ecosystem naturally to keep the population in check.
• When invasive plants take over and form dense mats, they change the
habitat and make it unsuitable for fish, birds and other aquatic organisms.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Curly-leaf pondweed
• First was found in MN in 1910
• Probably was accidentally introduced when
common carp were intentionally brought to
MN
• In spring, it can form dense mats that may
interfere with boating and other recreation
on lakes
• Can cause ecological problems because it
can displace native aquatic plants
• In midsummer, it usually dies back,
resulting in rafts of dying plants piling up
on shoreline
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Little Pelican, near river inlet
Curly-leaf pondweed
• Found all over MN
• Introduced to lakes by fragments
on boats, motors and boat trailers
• Usually first found at public boat
accesses and river inlets in chains
of lakes
• Of all invasive plants, this is the
one with the highest probability
in the area
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Serrated leaf edge
Reddish stem
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Flowering rush
• Competes with native shoreland
vegetation
• Eurasian plant that was sold
commercially for use in garden
pools
• Now illegal to buy, sell or possess
the plant
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Flowering rush
• Introduced to Deadshot Bay of
Detroit Lake in the mid-1970’s
• Spread to Detroit, Muskrat,
Sallie, Melissa, and Mill Pond
• The type in the area does not
produce seeds, it spreads by
root fragments
• Pelican River Watershed District
is spraying for rush to control it
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Flowering rush
Flowering rush at the Detroit Lakes City Beach
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Eurasian watermilfoil
• Nuisance invasive plant in the Twin
Cities Metro Area
• Spread by plant fragments carried on
boats, motors and boat trailers
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Eurasian milfoil
Northern milfoil
12-21 leaflet pairs
per leaf
5-10 leaflet pairs
per leaf
Eurasian watermilfoil
Nearest lakes with infestations
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Oscar Lake, Douglas Co
Leech Lake, Cass Co
Bay Lake, Crow Wing
Kimball Lake, Crow Wing
Lower Mission Lake, Crow Wing
Ossawinnamakee Lake, Crow Wing
Ruth Lake , Crow Wing
Upper Mission, Crow Wing
Lake Alexander, Morrison Co
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Plants that look similar
Eurasian watermilfoil
(12 to 21 pairs of leaflets)
Northern watermilfoil
(5 to 10 pairs of leaflets)
Coontail (Hornwort)
(forked leaves in a circle)
Bladdarwort
(branched, flimsy leaves)
Zebra mussels
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D-shaped shell
Brown stripes
¼ - 1 ½ inches long
Females produce up
to a million eggs per
year
• Byssal threads attach
to hard objects
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Zebra mussels
Impacts
• Cut feet on beaches
• Clog irrigation pipes
• Clog boat motors
• Harm fisheries
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Zebra mussels
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Knocking on our door…
Quagga mussels
Viral hemorrhagic
septicemia (VHS)
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
Spiny waterflea
Asian carp
6
DNR Role
• The DNR is the state entity in charge of invasive species;
however, they have over 10,000 lakes to keep track of and
their state budget varies year to year depending on state
funding
• There is an Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist at the DNR
Fergus Falls Office
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
What can you do?
PREVENT INVASIVE SPECIES IN YOUR LAKE!
• Once invasive species have established, it's pretty near impossible to
get rid of them.
• They can be controlled with chemicals, but never eliminated.
• Chemical control can be expensive ($400-480/acre).
• The Lake Minnetonka Association is spending well over $100,000 on
control of Eurasian watermilfoil yearly.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
What can you do?
• Inspect your boat, trailer, and boating equipment for plant fragments
• Drain water from the motor, livewell, bilge, and transom wells while on
land before leaving any waterbody.
• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. Never release live bait into a
waterbody, or release aquatic animals from one waterbody into
another.
• Wash then dry your boat, tackle, downriggers, trailer, and other
boating equipment to kill harmful species that were not visible at the
boat launch.
• Learn what these organisms look like
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County
What can Lake Associations do?
• Enroll in DNR Invasive Species Watercraft Inspection Program
• Designate an “Invasive Species Watch” committee for your lake
association
• Bring plant samples into your local DNR office for confirmation of
identifications
• Produce educational brochures and put them at your boat accesses
• Check with Fergus Falls fisheries office about past fisheries surveys
on your lake. They note aquatic plants in those records.
AIS · Aquatic Invasive Species Education for Otter Tail County