Aquatic Invasive Animals in the Adirondack Region

Transcription

1 Aquatic Invasive Animals in the Adirondack Region Spiny waterflea Erin Vennie-Vollrath Aquatic Invasive Species Project Coordinator Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program & Mark Malchoff Lake Champlain Sea Grant Asian clam

2 Presentation Outline Invasive species overview Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) overview Aquatic invasive species in the Adirondacks Aquatic invasive animals to be on the lookout for How you can help Zebra mussels Time to look at specimens and ask questions!

3 Today s Objectives Provide an overview of the invasive species problem Introduce APIPP Train you on how to identify aquatic invasive animals of concern APIPP participates in Saranac Lake s 2012 Winter Carnival Parade

4 What s the difference? Native Species Species indigenous to a region at the time of European settlement Non-native Species (Exotic, Introduced, Alien) Accidental or purposeful introduction of a species outside of its historic range Invasive Species (Noxious) Non-native species that rapidly reproduces and displaces native species causing harm Nuisance Species (Weed) Species that interferes with human activities

5 Why should we care about invasive species?

6 Invasive species are the second leading cause of the loss of biodiversity worldwide, falling short only to habitat destruction ECOSYSTEM SIMPLIFICATION Native Species Displacement - Competition and suppression Disrupt Food Chains Loss of Biodiversity Ecological impacts are diverse and frightening Knotweed crowding out native spreading dogbane

7 Impacts continued ECOSYSTEM PROCESS ALTERATIONS Impacted Drainage Altered Nutrient Cycles Loss in Community Structure and Function SPECIES LOSS Common buckthorn infestation Major cause or contributing factor in the decline of 42% of the US species federally listed as threatened or endangered Hybridize with natives, change local gene pool Bring in pathogens

8 Economic impacts are costly Invasive species cost the U.S. an estimated $137 billion every year! Water Chestnut Infestation, Lake Champlain Reduced water quality Reduced productivity of fisheries Milfoil Infestation, Upper Saranac Lake Impaired recreational activities; access, boating, birding, fishing, hunting Reduced property values Negative impact on tourism

9 ADK Economic Impacts $4.27 million being spent on invasive species in the Adirondacks Estimated cost of 8 Invasive Species: 4 aquatic and 4 terrestrial Estimated Annual Loss of $48-53 million Total Estimated Property Value Loss of $ million

10 How are invasive species introduced and spread? Pathways Ballast Nurseries / Ornamentals Aquaria / Water Gardens / Pet Trade Illegal stocking Bait School releases Roadways Vehicles / watercraft Canals Clothing / Gear / Equipment Fill, mulch material Disturbance Firewood Wildlife Wind / Waterways Roadway Corridors Ornamentals Disturbed Areas Watercraft Ballast Water Discharge Aquarium Release

11 New Pathways Global Trade Global Climate Change Internet Sales

12 Management Techniques Plants, Fish, Invertebrates, Mammals, Pathogens Physical Handpulling, cutting, digging, mowing, matting Barriers Chemical Pesticide, herbicide Biological Cultural Prescribed grazing and prescribed burning Regulations, Quarantines Education Reclamation/revegetation Do Nothing

13 Early Detection and Rapid Response Single Threat, Eradication Simple

14 Wait and Do Nothing Massive Infestation, Eradication Unlikely

15 Acres Infested Control Costs Eradication feasible Eradication unlikely, intense effort required Invasive Plant Increase Over Time and Control Potential Local control and management only Eradication simple Public awareness typically begins Introduction Detection Plant absent Scattered locations Numerous locations At or near biological potential Time

16 Prevention, Early Detection, and Rapid Response are the Keys to Successful Eradication!

17 What is the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program?

18 Mission: To protect the Adirondack region from the negative impacts of invasive species Goals: 1. Prevent new introductions 2. Rapidly detect and eradicate new infestations 3. Manage existing priority infestations to mitigate impacts Activities: Coordination, Prevention, Education & Outreach, Survey & Mapping, Control & Management, Monitoring, Research, Planning, Policies, Funding Partnerships: 3 staff, 1 seasonal 4 principal partners (+4 new ones) 30+ cooperating organizations 100s of volunteers Funding: Environmental Protection Fund (5 yrs)

19 Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) Coordinates Two Projects Terrestrial Invasive Species Project Aquatic Invasive Species Project Purple loosestrife Eurasian watermilfoil

20 Regional Partners Adirondack Lakes Alliance Adirondack Mountain Club Au Sable River Association Boquet River Association Clinton and Essex County Master Gardeners Cornell Cooperative Extension Darrin Fresh Water Institute Federal Highways Administration Franklin County Network of Shoreline Associations Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District Lake Champlain Basin Program Lake Champlain Sea Grant Lake George Association Lake George Land Conservancy Paul Smiths College Watershed Stewards Program Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks Student Conservation Association SUNY Plattsburgh Adirondack Volunteers! Adirondack Council Adirondack North Country Association CAP-21 Department of Agriculture and Markets Garden Club of America Lake George Park Commission St. Regis Mohawk Tribe SUNY ESF Wanakena Town of Inlet Town of Webb, DPW Trout Unlimited Upper Saranac Lake Foundation HCSWCD staff assist yellow iris controls

21 APIPP Activities Training Surveys and Mapping Early Detection and Monitoring Rapid Response and Management Education and Outreach Coordination and Information Exchange

22 Which aquatic invasive species are in the Adirondacks?

23 Aquatic Invasive Plants in the Adirondacks Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllm spicatum Variable-leaf watermilfoil Myriophyllum heterophyllum Curly-leaf pondweed Potamogeton crispus Yellow floating heart Nymphoides peltata Fanwort Water chestnut European frog-bit Brittle naiad Cabomba caroliniana Trapa natans Hydrocharus morsus-ranae Najas minor

24 Aquatic Invasive Animals in the Adirondacks Spiny waterflea Bythotrephes longimanus Zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha Asian clam Corbicula fluminea Banded mystery snail Viviparus georgianus Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus Chinese mystery snail Cipangopaludina chinensis

25 Lakes Monitored & AIS Distribution Total Number of Lakes Invaded: 97 Total Number of Volunteers: 680+ Total Number of Lakes Uninvaded: 235 Opportunity Exists!!! Legend No Invasives Observed Invaded Unsurveyed Lakes

26 Opportunity Exists Number of Invaded Lakes and Uninvaded Lakes in the Adirondack Region Cumulative # of Uninvaded Lakes Cumulative # of Invaded Lakes The number of invasive-free lakes surveyed by APIPP volunteers and partners is more than two-and-a-half times that of invaded lakes

27 AIS Spread Prevention Signage Stations (boat wash) Lake George Adirondack Park-wide Pilot Program Stations (disposal) Stewards (boat launch) Surveys Paid Volunteer Policies (laws) Local: 7 Towns, 1 Village, 1 County **NEW reg at DEC Launches** ***NEW statewide legislation***

28 Education and Outreach

29 Website, Blog & Listserve

30 Prevention, Early Detection & Rapid Response Adirondack Watershed Steward Program Regional Response Teams

31 Adirondack Park-wide AIS Spread Prevention Pilot Program Photo by AWI-PSC Photo by LGA Photo by LGA

32 How Can You Help? Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species! Be Informed Learn to Identify Detect Early Monitoring is easy just look when out recreating on the water! Report Infestations

33 Photo: Emily Debolt Asian Clam Monitoring Timing: Summer, sunny and calm day Locations: sandy, shallow, near shore sites Collection: 2-6 feet deep water Sieve through ~3 in. of sediment Gently shake sieve under water Examine what s left Repeat every 5m (~16 ) Transport suspicious clams to APIPP s office

34 Spiny Waterflea Monitoring Timing: 3 dates between June and Sept (at monthly intervals). Calm day. Only monitor 1 lake Location: 3 sites on lake 1. Deep hole 2. Site of boat traffic (launches or marinas) 3. Lake s outlet Photo: Emily Debolt

35 Reporting Infestations If you think you see any of these invaders: Mollusks: Place in water in a small container, then contact Erin Vennie-Vollrath by at evennie-vollrath@tnc.org or phone at (518) x119 to make arrangements for delivering the specimen. OR take a good digital photo of the specimen with some sort of scale (ruler, penny, etc.), record date and exact location of sighting, and to Erin Vennie-Vollrath at evennie-vollrath@tnc.org. Fish, Crayfish and Crabs: Take a good digital photo of the specimen with scale, record date and exact location of capture, and to Erin Vennie-Vollrath at evennievollrath@tnc.org. If possible, freeze large specimens after photography, then when convenient transfer to ethanol or rubbing alcohol. Contact Erin Vennie-Vollrath by at evennie-vollrath@tnc.org or phone at (518) x119 to make arrangements for delivering the specimen. Spiny and fishhook waterfleas: Place in ethanol or rubbing alcohol then contact Erin Vennie-Vollrath by at evennie-vollrath@tnc.org or phone at (518) x119 to make arrangements for delivering the specimen.

36 Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention

37 Event Message Board Aquatic Invasive Animal Identification Training August 4 th, Warrensburg Backcountry Monitors Training for Adirondack Forest Pests August 29 th, Lake George Backcountry Water Monitors Training August 30 th, Adirondack Loj

38 Contacts Brendan Quirion, Coordinator (518) x118 Erin Vennie-Vollrath, Aquatics (518) x119 Zack Simek, Terrestrial (518) x131 Jane Raffaldi, Invasives Educator (518) x120 Other resources: Mark Malchoff, LCSG, ,