NNIS present

Non-native Invasive Species (NIS) Program: 

Non-native Invasive Species (NIS) Program Stockton Fish and Wildlife Office Purple loosestrife (Manitoba Purple Loosestrife Project) Chinese mitten crab (photo by Lee Mecum, CDFG)

What Are Invasive Species?: 

What Are Invasive Species? Aggressive organisms that have been transported into new areas, where they did not evolve. Invaders may have “ecological release” from natural population controls Plants: terrestrial and aquatic Animals: fish, crabs, snails, etc. Microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, etc.

Why are we concerned?: 

Why are we concerned? Economic cost to U.S. Damage to infrastructure Loss of resources 2nd leading cause of native species’ extinction Increasing rate of invasions Human health risk Cholera, Asian lung fluke

Take home messages: 

Take home messages 1) Prevention is key! 2) Best chance to stop a new invasion is early detection and control Be alert to “new” or increasingly abundant plants or animals 3) Share your observations & concerns naturalsciences.sdsu.edu/

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Pathways of Introduction Aquaria Aquaculture Ballast Intentional Fish Stocking Live-bait Live Sea-food Landscaping Stowaways Landing gear Recreational boats Shipping crates Weed with seed

Bay-Delta Non-Native Invasives: 

Bay-Delta Non-Native Invasives Outcompete natives Limit food for native wildlife Threaten rare and endangered species Clog waterways Impact commercial and recreational use Decreases DO Some poisonous plants Impact on soil organisms? Altered hydrology Lake Victoria, WI (Water-hyacinth.com)

Egeria densa, Brazilian Waterweed : 

Egeria densa, Brazilian Waterweed Submerged roots and leaves Floating stems up to 3ft. Leaves are born in whorls White flowers above the water in summer Forms dense stands Native to Brazil

Elodea canadensis, Canadian Waterweed : 

Elodea canadensis, Canadian Waterweed Roots and leaves are submerged Small leaves curl downward Flowers are green-purple Distinguished from Hydrilla and Egeria by sparse foliage and flower color Out competes natives Native to NE North America Canadian waterweed: photograph by Kathy Hamel, WA State DOE.

Hydrilla verticillata, Hydrilla: 

Hydrilla verticillata, Hydrilla Roots are submerged Shoots grow to water surface and then branch Leaves are born in whorls Distinguished from Elodea and Egeria by less dense foliage and white flowers Native to Asia Forms dense mats

Lepidium latifolium, Perennial Pepperweed : 

Lepidium latifolium, Perennial Pepperweed Multi-stemmed herb Stems and leaves gray-green Upright clusters of white flowers Outcompete native plants Decreases waterfowl habitat Also invasive on dry land Native to Eurasia Broadleaved pepperweed: copyright © 2001 CDFA. Credit Dell O. Clark, CDFA, Integrated Pest Control Branch.

Myriophyllum spicatum, Eurasian Watermilfoil : 

Myriophyllum spicatum, Eurasian Watermilfoil Roots and leaves are submerged Leaves are small, thin and olive green-reddish Flowers are tiny and white with red tinge Flower borne above water Forms dense mats Native to Eurasia, N. Africa

Myriophyllum aquaticum, Parrots Feather : 

Myriophyllum aquaticum, Parrots Feather Roots are submerged, but stems protrude from water Un-branched stems can grow to 6 ft. long Leaves are yellow-green and feather like Flowers are tiny and borne in spikes on leaf axils Forms dense monotypic stands Mechanical removal may facilitate spread Native to Java, Aust., S. Am.

Arundo donax, Giant Reed : 

Arundo donax, Giant Reed A grass-like plant that forms dense clumps Clumps reach 30 ft. tall and 9 ft. wide Green-purple flowers are borne in large spikes Outcompetes riparian veg., but offers little shade or food Seeds are not thought to be viable Controlled mechanically, and cutting combined with chemical application Native to India

Lythrum salicaria, Purple Loosestrife : 

Lythrum salicaria, Purple Loosestrife Stiff upright branching woody plant, forms clumps Leaves are paired and alternate at right angles from last pair Flowers are red or red-purple and borne in spikes This plant grows aggressively on shores and displaces waterfowl habitat Controlled mechanically (before seed set), chemicals, limited success with biological agents Native to Europe and Asia tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/lythsali.html

Purple Loosestrife Infestation: 

Purple Loosestrife Infestation tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/lythsali.html

Ludwigia spp. Ludwigia, Water Primrose : 

Ludwigia spp. Ludwigia, Water Primrose L. uruguayensis = L. hexapetala = L. grandiflora Horizontally spreading herb Shoots grow to 2 ft. long Leaves are elliptic, 2.5 in. long Flowers are yellow, 2 in. across Forms dense monotypic stands May be poisonous Nativity is debated www.plantyfolia.com/fiches61/page12.html

Sesbania punicea, Scarlet Wisteria, Rattlebox: 

Sesbania punicea, Scarlet Wisteria, Rattlebox Grows as a large shrub or small tree Leaves are 8-12 in. long Flowers are red-purple, small and borne in 4 in. long clusters Seed pods resemble those of large pea pods Can quickly spread in nutrient poor environments Native to S. America Provided by TNC, Wildland Invasive Species Team

Tamarix spp., Tamarisk or Saltcedar : 

Tamarix spp., Tamarisk or Saltcedar Grows as a large shrub or tree Leaves are small scales crowded on stems and gray-green to red-brown Flowers are pink, tiny and packed in clusters (late summer/fall) Outcompetes native plants Leaves and stems secrete salt that harm nearby plants Aggressively competes for water; drought tolerant Native to Africa, Europe, Asia tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/tamaramo.html bc4weeds.tamu.edu/saltcedar.html

Eichhornia crassipes, Water Hyacinth : 

Eichhornia crassipes, Water Hyacinth Usually floats freely, except when flowering Leaves are rounded and medium green Flowers are pale blue to violet with yellow spots on petals Flowers are borne in 6 in. long upright spikes Explosive growth can cover entire rivers or lakes Native to S. America Still widely sold in California

Iris pseudacorus, Yellow Flag Iris : 

Iris pseudacorus, Yellow Flag Iris Forms dense clumps Strap-like, ribbed leaves that arise from the plant’s base Flowers are bright yellow Flower petals are ruffled and have brown or violet markings Spreads rapidly by seeds or underground stems Poisonous to grazing animals Controlled mechanically or by painting cut stems with chemicals Native to a wide range from Europe to Africa to Siberia

Corbicula fluminea, Asian clam: 

Corbicula fluminea, Asian clam Freshwater Grows to 1 in. long Light brown color Concentric curved ridges Fine serration on anterior and posterior Ballast water likely introduction High densities Has altered Delta food web Native to China, Korea, SE Russia Jacksonville Shell Club

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Potamocorbula amurensis, Asian clam in SF Bay Corbicula fluminea, freshwater Asian clam Jacksonville Shell Club

Eriocheir sinensis, Chinese Mitten Crab : 

Eriocheir sinensis, Chinese Mitten Crab Dense ”mittens” on claws 4 Anterior spikes (often confused with Harris mud crab) Adults are usually 2-3 inches carapace width Catadromous life cycle Intentional introduction or via ballast water Damage to fish salvage, recreational fishing, threats to levee stability Potential host for Asian lung fluke Control methods need research

Dreissena polymorpha, Zebra Mussel : 

Dreissena polymorpha, Zebra Mussel 1- 2 inches long Asymmetrical triangular shape Concentric rings and stripes or NO STRIPES Native to Europe; invaded the Great Lakes Not currently present in CA Filtering ability out competes native mussels Damage boat engines; foul hulls Clogs power plant, public water intake and pipes = costs millions of dollars annually Controlled with chemicals, hot water, UV and predation by water fowl

Take Home Messages: 

Take Home Messages 1) Prevention is key! 2) Best chance to stop a new invasion is early detection and control Be alert to “new” or increasingly abundant plants or animals 3) Share your observations & concerns 1-888-321-8913

Questions?: 

Questions? Thank you! Erin Williams NIS Program Coordinator (209) 946-6400 x321 erin_williams@fws.gov Roger Buttermore CALFED NIS Watershed Coordinator (209) 946-6400 x337 roger_buttermore@fws.gov David Bergendorf FWS ANS Assistant (209) 946-6400 x342 david_bergendorf@fws.gov