Transcript Aquatic Invasive Species and Water Gardening

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University Extension
programs and materials are
open to all without regard
to race, color, national
origin, gender, gender
identity, religion, age,
height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual
orientation, marital status,
family status or veteran
status.
Linda Whitlock
Consumer Horticulture
Partnership of MSU Extension Fisheries &
Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Forestry
Department, Habitattitude,
Eleanor Burkett
Aquatic Invasive Species
and Water Gardening
It's Not About the Fish & Plants, It's
About the Behaviors!
• seeks to eliminate the transfer and survival
of any species outside of your enclosed,
artificial system
• which has the potential to cause the loss
or decline of native plants and animals.
The Message:
Keep non-native plants out of lakes
streams, wetlands or storm water
ponds
Properly dispose of aquatic plants and
animals:
Will composting work?
Bag and send to landfill
Return to store, move into aquarium,
contact local veterinarian feather
Parrot feather
Do not possess prohibited and restricted
aquatic plant species
(NREPA 451 of 1994, Section 324.41301)
Learn how invasive plants spread -
rhizome
Eleanor Burkett
by seed, rhizome, or tiny plant
fragments
Examine new plants for unwanted and
potentially invasive hitchhikers
Barbara Liukkonen
• Rinse floating plants to
remove duckweed or
fragments
Eleanor
Barbara Liukkonen
Burkett
• Pull hitchhikers from
potted plants, or
• Remove from pot, rinse
roots and re-pot to
eliminate hitchhikers
Recognize which plants and fish
are potentially invasive in our
climate zone
Brazilian
elodea
& Michele Oslund
Flowering Rush
Water chestnut
Clayton
Japanese knotweed
Recognize which plants and fish
are potentially invasive in our
climate zone
Hydrilla
Flowering Rush
Parrot’s feather
African oxygen weed
Recognize which plants and fish
are potentially invasive in our
climate zone
Giant hogweed
European frogbit
Giant salvinia
Robert Liukkonen
Keep non-native plants contained
in your water garden
Water gardens separated from
natural waters may contain
non-native species
Water gardens connected to
natural waters should not contain
non-native plants or animals
Non-native plants
Cathy Larson
can cause ecological, economic, and
recreational problems….
Non-native animals
Clayton & Michele Oslund
can crowd out native species or
disrupt the food web…
Non-native plants or animals …
• very difficult to control once
established
• degrade the environment,
diminish recreational
opportunities, impact native
species, and cost billion$
for control
• also known as “exotic
species”
• introduced intentionally or
accidentally
Invasive species may be introduced …
• Intentionally:
– improper disposal of fish
or plants from water
gardens or aquaria
– planting shorelines to
add beauty or stabilize
shore
– stocking fish or for
biological control of other
species (by natural
resource professionals)
Invasive species may be introduced …
• Unintentionally
– seeds carried by birds or blown by
wind
– flooding or stormwater runoff
Barbara Liukkonen
Barbara Liukkonen
– hitchhikers in plant purchases or
exchanges
-on boats or trailers,
in live wells or
bait buckets
Research on AIS and horticulture trade
• Conducted in 2002 at
UMN Horticulture
Department
• Assessed risks of
importing aquatic plants
• Ordered plants from
nurseries nationwide
Research showed …
• 92.5% of orders contained plant or animal
not specifically requested;
– 90% included plants
– 80% included animals (including 2 live fish!)
– 63% included algae, moss, or fungi
– 41% contained unordered seeds
• 8-10% of hitchhikers were prohibited
species in Minnesota
2004 Consumer Survey …
• 77 surveys completed from
MN, MI, other states
• By water gardeners and
shoreline property owners
• Asked about awareness &
knowledge, sources of
plants, and willingness to
pay.
Water hyacinth
Consumers reported …
• Most buy their plants locally
• 17% exchange plants
• 30% purchase animals
• 80% recognize loosestrife;
only 6% know yellow heart
• Many over winter plants and
animals outdoors
Linda Whitlock
269-383-8815
Partnership of MSU Extension Fisheries &
Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Forestry
Department, Habitattitude
Eleanor Burkett
Aquatic Invasive Species
and Water Gardening