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Aquatic Invasive Species and Water Gardening

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Linda WhitlockConsumer Horticulture

Partnership of MSU Extension Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Forestry Department, Habitattitude,

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 - by seed, rhizome, or tiny plant fragments

rhizome

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Examine new plants for unwanted and potentially invasive hitchhikers

• Rinse floating plants to remove duckweed or fragments

• Pull hitchhikers from potted plants, or

• Remove from pot, rinse roots and re-pot to eliminate hitch-hikers

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Recognize which plants and fish are potentially invasive in our

climate zone

Flowering Rush

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Water chestnut

Japanese knotweed

Brazilian elodea

Recognize which plants and fish are potentially invasive in our

climate zone

Flowering Rush

Hydrilla

Parrot’s feather

African oxygen weed

Recognize which plants and fish are potentially invasive in our

climate zone

European frogbit

Giant hogweed

Giant salvinia

Keep non-native plants contained in your water garden

Water gardens connected to natural waters should not contain

non-native plants or animals

Water gardens separated from natural waters may contain

non-native species

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Non-native plants can cause ecological, economic, and

recreational problems….

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Non-native animals can crowd out native species or

disrupt the food web…

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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

– hitchhikers in plant purchases or exchanges

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-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

Aquatic Invasive Species and Water Gardening

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Partnership of MSU Extension Fisheries & Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Forestry

Department, Habitattitude