|
• Snow Closings
|
|
| Wed, Feb. 10 - - Mobile - RSS | |
| YOUR TOWN: Caroline | Culpeper | King George | Fredericksburg | Orange | Spotsylvania | Stafford | Westmoreland | |
|
|
Invasive weed brings benefits
Invasive weed gets foothold in Rappahannock River, but that's not necessarily bad
Date published: 9/24/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN An invasive weed related to hydrilla has gained a foothold in the Rappahannock River above Fredericksburg. "I was out last week and I was stunned at how rapidly it has covered large portions of the river," said John Tippett, executive director of Friends of the Rappahannock. "The [river] has changed dramatically in just one season." He's talking about Brazilian elodea, a close relative of the hydrilla that has clogged waterways from Potomac Creek in Stafford County to Washington. Once the plant gets established, it forms mats that can change the ecology of the river. But it's not all bad--it's a nursery and hiding place for fish and other aquatic creatures, and it encourages growth of native grasses. "I'm conflicted about it," said Tippett, who first noticed some patches last year. On one hand, weeds like hydrilla and Brazilian elodea tend to take over. But they also capture sediment, improving water clarity and quality. "I am seeing several times more native wild celery between Motts [Run] and [FOR headquarters] than I ever have," Tippett said. "It will be fascinating to see what happens over time." Tippett said that benefit has also been noted on the Potomac River. He is familiar with hydrilla. "I used to run the harvester on the Potomac in the late 1980s," he said. Barges equipped with paddle wheels and cutters are used like lawn mowers to clip the hydrilla in areas that become too clogged for boat traffic. Tippett also worked in a lab studying organisms that live within hydrilla beds. One day last week at a spot along River Road in Spotsylvania County, he pointed out patches of native wild celery and sago pondweed among the green swaths of Brazilian elodea. Tippett took some samples in for identification at FOR. Virginia Cooperative Extension also examined samples and confirmed the identification. Hydrilla and Brazilian elodea "are so similar that the only way to tell the difference is with a magnifying glass," Tippett said. Since there has been no comprehensive sampling on the Rappahannock, "We don't know yet if all of it is elodea, or if there may be hydrilla there, too."
Date published: 9/24/2009
will be interesting to watch
(posted by
KF4DFB
, Sep. 24, 2009 2:02 pm)
Awhile back I had a 'fern' hitch hike on some coral for my sal[*#@!]er aquarium. Once it took hold in the tank, it rapidly spread and dominates that tank now.
It will be interesting to see what happens with the river. If it turns bad, it would be a full time job keeping it in check.
|
 |
|||
|
|||
