Aquatic Nuisance (Exotic) Species* |
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When aquatic nuisance invasions result from human activity, we can call this "biological pollution". There are many sources of biological pollution. Oceangoing ships that exchange their ballast water in Great Lakes ports have caused serious damage to the ecosystem.
A growing number of our lakes and streams suffer invasive infestations when boaters fail to clean their equipment as they move from lake to lake. There are many suspected pathways for biological pollution, including aquarium dumping, aquaculture escapes and bait bucket transfers.
Boaters and anglers should be especially careful to help prevent the spread of nuisance species by these pathways.
Invasive exotics often out-compete native species for space and food.
Population explosions and crashes cause immediate and tangible
ecological and economic difficulties around lakes, and the long-term
loss of biodiversity (loss of the abundance and variety of plants and
animals present in an environment) casts a shadow on the future.
During the zebra mussel's first decade in North America, municipal and industrial water users spent an average of $10 million per year controlling zebra mussels. Preventing biological pollution is now recognized as one of the great challenges facing not only the ecology of the Great Lakes Basin but its economic and social structure as well.
The National Invasive Species Act and Michigan's Aquatic Nuisance Species State Management Plan were adopted in 1996 in response to the problems caused by invasive exotic species.
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Scientists have identified 139 exotic species introduced in the Great Lakes Basin between 1800 and 1993, but most aquatic invaders never come into the public spotlight.
In the years between the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) and the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasions, many exotic newcomers arrived, but few have done as much as these two pests to raise public awareness and understanding of aquatic nuisance species.
Some introduced species that are considered particularly threatening to Michigan's inland waters are Eurasian milfoil - shown above (Myriophyllum spicatum), purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), Eurasian ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuusI, round and tubenosed gobies (Neogobius spp.) and two water fleas (Bythotrephes cedarstroemi and Cercopagis pengoi).
* Taken from 'Integrated Pest Management for Nuisance Exotics in Michigan Inland Lakes', MSU Extension Water Quality Series: WQ-56, Michigan State University.
| Links: |
Michigan Sea Grant Aquatic Nuisances Species Web Site Michigan Sea Grant Purple Pages: |
Surface Water Quality/Watershed Management. |
Aquatic Nuisance Species |
Wildlife FAQ
Woodlot Management |
Nuisance Animal Management |
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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. |
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Last updated: October 16, 2009 Updated by: K. White
