Invasive Species in New Hampshire by Elizabeth

The Types of Invasive Species

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-05 12:42:01 UTC

-Milfoil

-Deer

-Boxwood Blight

-Green Crabs

-Rock Bass

-Northern Pike

-Brown Trout

-Honeysuckles

-Common Buckthorn

Sources:

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-05 12:43:20 UTC

-http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/unitedstates/nh.shtml
-http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/SpeciesList.aspx?Group=&State=NH&Sortby=[Group],Genus,Species,SubSpecies&submit2=Submit
-http://des.nh.gov/media/pr/2012/20120711-exotic-aquatic-plts.htm
-http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=33
-http://des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/bb/documents/bb-1.pdf

What is MILFOIL?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:13:03 UTC

Milfoil is an invasive species aquatic plant that lives in the lakes and ponds in and around New Hampshire.

How'd It Get Here?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:16:19 UTC

It is believed that the milfoil was brought into a surrounding state by being attached to a boat that docked in a marina. That boat was then put in another lake, and it was spread from there. Milfoil can survive for long periods of time outside of water, and then come back to life as soon as put in the water again.

How's it Spread?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:22:44 UTC

Boat propellers chop up the milfoil, and then the plant is at the mercy of the wind and the currents to go where it is taken. When it falls to the bottom of the body of water, roots grow, and the milfoil colonizes very quickly. This happens until every suitable area is filled with milfoil.

How Can You Identify Milfoil?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:27:23 UTC

It's not very easy! It looks very similar to many of the native species, and is sometimes difficult for the experts! If you believe that you have milfoil in your lake and it is taking over, contact the Department of Enviromental Services, and they will come check it out.

A Picture Of Milfoil

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:29:44 UTC

Milfoil in a Lake

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:34:26 UTC

How Does It Impact New Hampshire?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:35:06 UTC

This species is not native to our state and it is very difficult to control once it becomes fully established . Milfoil spreads rapidly and displaces beneficial native plant life. It makes swimming difficult and may devalue waterfront property.

How Does it Impact the Enviroment?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:36:36 UTC

The milfoil takes over the environments of native plants, and chokes them out. This means that the milfoil takes all of the nutrients from the habitat, leaving none for the native species. The weeds spread to the surface, and cover the other plants, so that they cannot get food from the sun. This effects all of the other animals that depend on those native plants to survive. Because the native plants start to die, so the animals that eat them, and the animals that lay their eggs on them, or use them for protection are left with nothing, and so the chain is destroyed because of the milfoil.

How Does This Effect New Hampshire Though?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:44:11 UTC

New Hampshire relies heavily on tourism to its lakes for much of its revenue, and when the milfoil takes over, the waterfront properties don't look as great, and this makes people not want to vacation at the lakes. The state loses a lot of revenue because of the milfoil.

How Can I Help Fix the Milfoil Problem

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:48:30 UTC

1.Clean your boat and trailer of all aquatic vegetation before launching into a lake and before transporting to another water body.

2.Stay clear of large weed patches while operating a speedboat. This will lessen the likelihood of spreading fragments to other sections of the lake.

3.Report any suspected milfoil infestations that are found in lakes.

4.Hand pull and remove the milfoil quickly if it shows up in your waterfront.

5.Keep your neighbors and any newcomers aware of the problem.

How Can WE ALL Help Fix the Problem?

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:55:21 UTC

The government has programs set up where you need to have your boat inspected and a sticker put on before you launch it for the first time. They also have people at marinas inspecting boat. If you comply with these inspections, then you are helping to stop the problem.

In Other Words

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:59:19 UTC

Being smart about driving through large piles of weeds,and wasing your boat constantly!

How to Get Rid of the Already Existing Milfoil

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 01:59:55 UTC

-Don't use chemicals, because the water will just carry it all around the lake, and potentially harm the rest of the ecosystem.

-Don't allow boats on a certain lake for a period of time.

-Send in crews to pull the milfoil, and to put it in bags, or to vacuum it up. (Some that broken off pieces cannot get to other parts of the lake, and do the same thing to those same ecosystems, just in a different part of the lake.)

-Have stricter rules about putting boats in that lake

WE CAN ERADICATE THE PROBLEM

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 02:04:02 UTC

Elizabeth Preble

prebleatsolo — 2014-06-06 02:04:23 UTC

Period A/B

Honors Biology

Mrs. Pond

June 5, 2014