A lake infested with Trapa Natans
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Forget Military Invasions, Watch Out For Those Plants!
Invasive species in Massachusetts have been a large issue for years. One example of these species is the Trapa Natans, or Water Chestnut. It made its way out of New York and now can be found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and recently it has been found in Quebec, Canada. Although Water Chestnut may look beautiful as its leaves float on the surface of freshwater ponds and lakes, it can cause entire aquatic ecosystems to die out due to the impenetrable mat of foliage that is created. This species of rooted plant's stems can reach up to 15 feet! With fast reproduction and spreading, many groups are trying to eradicate the species, although no fast and effective ways of dealing with the species have arisen without damaging the wild life that lives in area.
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Is there anything that you can do to prevent it, thins plant sounds like the ivy we have back at home. If you remove every last root then it grows back, it's a very resilient weed.
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ReplyDeleteVery interesting article, I can't believe these plants can be causing so much damage! It says they are from Asia, but I am wondering how they got here? I am glad we are taking measure of protection though.
Great summary, maybe people could introduce an animal that eats that plant to try and get it back under control. Though that may just create another problem and add a new invasive species.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a cool plant but not cool for the peop,e who live under or around it. How did the plant first get to where it is now? The article said that it lowers oxygen levels causing fish and other species to die that live under it. This is bad and needs to be fixed but is there away to harness the plant for the bad things that it does, such as lowering oxygen levels can be a solution to a different problem.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like the Water Chestnut is spreading at a scary rate. You said that it "looks beautiful as its leaves float on the surface of fresh water ponds and lakes" so I wonder if people are informed of how destructive these plants really are, and don't just see what's on the surface (literally). It also says that only trained and certified people can help in the eradication of them. Since only specific persons can do this, it slows the rate of their obliteration and let's these plants continue to thrive. Water Chestnuts are a silent killer, and an understandable problem. Getting rid of this species completely is only possible by killing some of the wildlife, so do you think a compromise would have to be made in order to provide a healthy future for the ponds and rivers?
ReplyDeleteInvasive species are really problematic, as they can destroy the ecosystem and food webs around them. The water chestnut seems particularly problematic and difficult to get rid of due to the "likelihood of unintentional spread," and the fact that "water chestnut seeds may lay dormant for up to 12 years." Would it be possible to use some mechanism to rip out the plants in great quantities, or maybe introduce, as people suggested above, an animal that both eats the plants and doesn't drastically alter the ecosystem around it?
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely an issue that needs to be fixed, but first, I have a few questions. In your paragraph, you said that try there is "fast reproduction and spreading" in a bunch of places in the North East. Is this being spread by people? Pollen? Animals? Also, you mentioned the roots being up to 15 feet long, so could we possibly put nets at the bottom of the lakes and occasionally take them back up, ripping the roots out? I also like the idea of an animal to eat the plants, however there is a possibility that they harm the ecosystem more than they help it.
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