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Volunteer
Training Link to Bathymetric Maps of Some RI Ponds Cyanobacteria (Algal Blooms) Additional Resources
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Learning about Aquatic Invasive Species Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are plants and animals that have been introduced into new ecosystems, resulting in harm to the habitat or species there, as well as human use of those resources. Invading species often displace beneficial native species, and reduce overall biodiversity. Recognizing new invasions early can allow for prompt control efforts, and perhaps even eradication, protecting the environment and reducing costs. A number of aquatic invasive species (both plants and animals) are already found in Rhode Island's waters, and preventing their spread to additional waterbodies requires us all to be aware and vigilent. Aquatic plants, often called "weeds" when they grow at densities that interfere with swimming, fishing and crowd out native species, are an important part of our lake and river ecosystems. Plants not only provide food for many animals, but also hide young fish and take up excess nutrients preventing algal blooms. Unfortunately non-native plants that are introduced into our waterbodies do not typically have their natural predators to help keep a natural balance, often resulting in nuisance conditions. Click here to view a slide presentation on "Identification and Management of Aquatic Invasive Species" Boaters, sailors, anglers, paddlers …every time you leave a launch: INSPECT boat, trailers and equipment and REMOVE plants, animals, and mud.
Eating invasives - New "management" technique Click here to learn more Online sources for more information: RI Department of Environmental Management - Aquatic Invasive Species http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/aisindex.htm RI Department of Environmental Management Factsheets:
RI Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site - Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve http://www.rimeis.org/ RI Coastal Resources Management Council Invasive Species http://www.crmc.ri.gov/invasives.html New York Invasives Channel on You Tube: Each month, a featured presentation is posted (and archived) http://www.youtube.com/NYinvasives National Aquatic Invasive Species Database (now part of the New York Invasive Species Clearinghouse): http://nyis.info/ai/default.aspx A Guide to Selected Invasive Non-native Aquatic Species
in Massachusetts: Eutrophication and Aquatic Plant Management in Massachusetts: Center for Aquatic Invasive Plants (Universtiy of Florida, IFAS): http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ A Field Guide to Invasive Plants of Aquatic and Wetlands Habitats for Michigan: http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/education/AquaticsFieldGuide.pdf A guide to aquatic plants identification & management (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources): http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/shorelandmgmt/apg/index.html Guide To Aquatic and Wetland Plants of West Virginia: http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/wildlife/803.pdf Aquatic Plants, Algae & Lakes (Department of Ecology, Washington State): http://www.ecy.wa.gov/Programs/wq/links/plants.html Pesticides and Aquatic Animals: A Guide to Reducing Impacts on Aquatic Systems: http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/waterquality/420-013/420-013.html A Field Guide To Aquatic Invaders (Minnesota Sea Grant Program): http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/ais/fieldguide Identifying and Managing Aquatic Plants in Ponds (video
series): Aquatic Plants and Algae Publications (Penn State Cooperative
Extension): National Invasives Species Information Center - USDA: Narragansett Bay Estuary Program Bay Science - Marine Invasive
Species: Invasive Species of Long Island Sound: http://www.seagrant.uconn.edu/whatwedo/ais/listour.php Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, an intergovernmental organization dedicated to preventing and controlling aquatic nuisance species. This site has links to educational resources as well as to an "Experts" database: http://www.anstaskforce.gov/default.php Additional Resources for Information on Aquatic Invasive Species (pdf): http://www.uri.edu/ce/wq/ww/Plants/Resources-Plants.pdf Links to resources that show you how to safely dine on invasive species: |
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