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Hydrilla invasion and interactions
with Vallisneria
Katia Engelhardt
Appalachian Lab
University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
In collaboration with former students Todd Chadwell and Lauren McChesney
and the Maryland National Estuarine Research Reserve
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Rooted submersed perennial monocot that is .
From appalachianohioweeds.org
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native to tropical Asia
www.discoverlife.org
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Canopy-forming forms thick mats at water surface
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Lives in mostly freshwater habitats
Cayuga Inlet Cornell Cooperative Extension
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Grows to depths > 7m in clear water
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Highly polymorphic; dioecious or monoecious
biotypes
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Asexual reproduction when plant
fragments, tubers, roots and turions develop into
new plants
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Sexual reproduction in late summer. Seeds have a
50% chance of establishing.
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Invasive
Grows under lower light conditions than any
other species (needs only 1% of sunlight).
No coevolved natural enemies to keep it in
check.
Has several dispersal strategies:
fragments, turions, tubers, seeds.
Grows rapidly
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Listed as a
noxious weed
= any plant designated by a federal, state or
county government as injurious to public
health, agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or
property.
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Hydrilla invasion at
Otter Point Creek, MD
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Summer 2002 vegetation density
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Hydrilla impacts on ecosystem
Slows down currents and buffers wave energy.
Enhances water clarity
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Tends to enhance production of small fishes.
Can increase dissolved oxygen concentration
but reduces oxygen circulation and can result
in fish kills.
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Can be a nuisance because it can block
boating channels and limit water sports.
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May enhance habitat for native submersed
species, but may also displace species.
Lauren McChesney MS thesis
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In the
field, plastic
plants
physically
captured
Hydrilla.
Propagule
pressure
increased the
chances of
establishment.
Chadwell and Engelhardt 2008, J. Ecology
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Does restoration of a Vallisneria slow
down the invasion of Hydrilla?
In
greenhouse, Vall
isneria
decreased
Hydrilla
establishment
through nutrient
draw-down in
closed
mesocosms.
Chadwell and Engelhardt 2008, J. Ecology
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Lauren McChesney MS thesis
Vallisneria versus Hydrilla
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Lauren McChesney MS thesis
Vallisneria versus Hydrilla
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Vallisneria has the ability to curb the
establishment and growth of
Hydrilla.
Hydrilla can facilitate the
establishment of Vallisneria.
But, Hydrilla will also compete with
Vallisneria and other native plants.
In summary
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Management strategies
Aggressive public education
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Management strategies
Bring back competitors:
enhance water quality
reintroduce Vallisneria and other native plant
species.
Photo credit: Robert Burnett
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Management strategies
Aggressive herbicide policy:
Hard to implement in tidal rivers where water level
changes constantly.
Can be toxic to other organisms.
Can lead to resistance.
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Management strategies
Mechanical removal:
Mechanical cutting produces fragments that can
disperse and make the problem even worse.
Effective in isolated areas where fragments can be
controlled.
Minnetonka Lake Weed Harvesting Service
From plants.ifas.ufl.edu
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Management strategies
Biocontrol: Problem with introducing another
non-native to control a non-native. Big
problem if the biocontrol agent gets out of
control and impacts other parts of the
ecosystem.
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Eradication
Rare and not well documented
Need to start as soon as the invasion is
detected
Recommend a Hydrilla management task force