{"id":31094,"date":"2013-07-15T10:00:53","date_gmt":"2013-07-15T17:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-clm-blog.pantheonsite.io\/?p=31094"},"modified":"2013-07-15T10:00:53","modified_gmt":"2013-07-15T17:00:53","slug":"elodea-canadensis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.clminternship.org\/?p=31094","title":{"rendered":"Elodea canadensis"},"content":{"rendered":"

My work out here in Alaska has been unforgettable to say the least! I just returned from a week long pack rafting trip on Tebay Lakes. The\u00a03 lakes are only accessible by floatplane, which we got to fly in on…we were surveying the lake for an aquatic invasive Elodea canadensis<\/em> (Canadian Waterweed). It is suspected that this weed is transported by float planes, and we were surveying this particular lake because it gets a lot of float plane traffic from Cordova (a place where there is known infestations of Elodea in its lakes). The first documented encounter with this invasive aquatic plant took place in 2010 in Fairbanks and this is the first aquatic freshwater invasive plant species that has been confirmed in Alaska. Here is a section of an article\u00a0I\u00a0helped to write\u00a0that was published in the local newspaper:<\/p>\n

”\u00a0As with most invasive plant species, Elodea<\/em> was brought over for decoration. Its bright green leaves, hearty stem, and long roots make it an attractive specimen for aquariums. U.S. Forest Service ecologist, Trish Wurtz said, \u201cIt\u2019s almost guaranteed,\u201d that someone dumped it into the Chena slough from an aquarium sometime in the past 10 years. Wurtz observed, \u201cA bunch of red clay balls\u201d (commonly found in aquaria) in the silt underneath a bridge in the slough.<\/p>\n

Elodea<\/em> reproduces asexually from plant parts. In the fall, leafy stalks detach from a parent plant, float away, root, and start new plants. The smallest fragment of Elodea<\/em> can survive the frozen waters of Alaskan winters, wait patiently until it thaws, and float downstream until it finds a suitable place for it to grow.\u00a0 Elodea<\/em> prefers slow moving water with thick sediment. Once it has settled into a spot, Elodea<\/em> grows rapidly where it accumulates into a tangled mass.<\/p>\n

What does this mean for Alaskans? Like many invasive species, Elodea<\/em> knows no boundaries. Once established in an area, it can quickly take over. Elodea<\/em> can easily cling to rudders and floats, as well as boat propellers, only to be deposited at the next water body. Elodea<\/em> can reduce water flow and water quality, out-compete native aquatic plants, lower property values, make waters unusable for recreation and degrade fish spawning habitats. On a grander scale, Elodea<\/em> can make a huge impact on two large Alaskan industries: sport fishing and commercial salmon harvesting.\u00a0 According to estimates by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Elodea<\/em> could make a dent of $350,000 loss per year for both these industries combined.”<\/p>\n

After surveying the lakes, we found no Elodea<\/em> but took samples of a few aquatic plants to get identified.\u00a0\u00a0Alaska has really proven itself to be a rugged place, as I got to experience bush-whacking up creeks, cooking fresh trout over the fire and camping all along the way, bringing only what I needed and could\u00a0fit in my two dry bags that were strapped onto my pack raft… Incredible experience…annnnd THIS is my job!<\/p>\n

Until next time,<\/p>\n

Morgan, Exotic Plant Management Team, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park<\/p>\n\n\t\t