Ecological and economic impacts of invasive species in the Finger Lakes

1. Ecological and economic impacts of invasive species in the Finger Lakes Kirby Rootes-Murdy Hobart College ‘08

2. Outline Introduction Objectives Methods Literature Research Social/ Anthropological Research (Survey) Results from Literature Research Ecological Impacts Economic Impacts Results & Analysis of Survey

3. Introduction Non-indigenous Species Introduced Transplant Exotic Invasive Non-indigenous Anthropocentric definition/ term

4. Introduction cont’d.

5. Introduction cont’d. Example- Water chestnut Ecological impact- Large cover area- decreasing light penetration to native plants Causes decrease in oxygen in the water- affecting fish populations Economic impact- affects recreational use (boating, swimming, fishing) “The expense of controlling this plant is large, with numbers reaching well into the millions of dollars for both states and federal agencies” ( NY-invasive plant council of New York State)

6. Objectives Determine the origin, ecological impacts, and economic impacts of three invasive species Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio), Zebra Mussels (Dreissena Polymorpha), Eurasian Milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) Determine Social perspectives in the Finger Lakes Region on Invasive Species Better understanding of people’s view = Better policy and legislation

7. Methods Literature perspective Origin Arrival in the Finger Lakes- date, location How they arrived- which industries, trade, interests are linked to origin How are they affecting the ecosystems they have been introduced into

8. Methods Anthropocentric/ Social Perspective Surveys (150) and interviews (50) target goal for data collection Questions being posed… How are Invasive species perceived in the Finger Lakes? Do they feel that it will affect personally? Will they affect them economically? Socially? Should they dealt with and in what way? Who should be responsible for them?

9. History of Invasive Species Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio) Originated in Eurasia- Black Sea, Caspian Sea Arrived in North America in the 19th Century Conflicting dates 1830, 1877 1877- U.S. Fisheries Commission cited them their first report Reason for introduction?

10. Turning point… General public lost taste in the carp Beginning of history as a nuisance 1950 onward Today classified as invasive Question- how long does it take to become an invasive, and after point does a species become naturalized?

11. Ecological Impacts Common Carp - Can cause increase in water turbidity - Increase in water turbidity can = a decrease in aquatic plant life as well as other species - Omnivorous species

12. History of Invasive Species Zebra Mussels (Dreissena Polymorpha) Originated from Eurasia, Black Sea, Caspian Sea Spread to Europe as early as the late 18th century Spread via ballast water First detected in the Great Lakes in 1988 Canal systems and transporting of water crafts First detected in Seneca Lake in 1992 Classified as an invasive species

13. Ecological Impacts Zebra Mussels -Biofouling - Omnivorous (sort of)- phytoplankton & microzooplankton - As a result of filtering, increase in water clarity- Is this bad? - Sharp mussel shells can cover beaches and shallow tide regions - Affecting the recreational use of the water body by humans

14. History of Invasive Species Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) - Originated in the Caspain and Black Seas - Debates over when it was established as well as introdcued; introduced early 1900’s (Reed 1977), establsihed 1940’s (Couch and Nelson 1985), 1952 (Mills et al, 1994) in the Chesapeake (Maryland/Virginia) -It is believed to have been introduced to U.S. intentionally, for ponds? -Currently classified as an invasive species - Reports of decline in its biomass in numerous ecosystems

15. Ecological Impact Eurasian Watermilfoil - Dense canopies = other vegetation get little or no light -Canopies- multifaceted -Dense populations of Eurasian Watermilfoil can create issues for boaters, fishing, and swimming for people

16. Economic Impacts General Not specific to the Finger Lakes “Invading non-indigenous species in the United States cause major environmental damages and losses adding up to more than $138 billion per year” (Pimentel, et. al,1999)

17. Preliminary Survey Results Distributed survey to two classes a science course, and religion course Total number of surveys collected 34 Small sample size accounts for skewed data Analysis done of a few questions

18. Survey Questions for Analysis Question 1- Which definition best defines the term non-indigenous species? Question 5- Which definition best defines the term invasive species? Question 6- Identification of species as either Indigenous, Non-Indigenous, Invasive, I don’t know (possibility of more then one classification) Question 9- In an economic sense, how much will invasive species cost you annually? Question 11- Who should be mainly responsible for dealing with invasive species? (multiple responses possible)

19. Graphs of Survey Results

20. Graphs of Survey Results

21. Graphs of Survey Results

22. Graphs of Survey Results

23. Graphs of Survey Results

24. Preliminary Results cont’d. Comparison of two groups- Science course & Humanities (Religion) course 95% of the students in the Humanities course correctly defined non-indigenous- 80% for students of Science course Of both classes, no students saw invasive species as affecting humans Of both classes, 23.5% felt that all categories (a-e) should be held responsible in dealing with invasive species

25. Analysis of Survey Results Small Sample size Confusion over some questions Fact sheet - Non-indigenous, relative to location Things to rework Future goals for project

26. Next Step Dresden Power Plant Marina (Boaters, Fishermen) Lake Front Residents Larger Sample Size

27. Acknowledgements Bin Zhu Prof. Ann Wibiralske Sarah Meyers Marion Balyszak Prof. John Halfman Prof. Michael Dobkowski and Prof. Richard Salter

28. Works Cited USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database. 2005. (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/) Reed, C. F. 1977. History and distribution of Eurasian watermilfoil in United States and Canada. Phytologia 36: 417-436. Couch, R., and E. Nelson. 1985. Myriophyllum spicatum in North America. Pp. 8-18 in L.W.J. Anderson (ed.). First International Symposium Watermilfoil and Related Haloragaceae Species. 23-24 July 1985, Vancouver, B.C. Aquatic Plant Management Society, Vicksburg, MS. Evans, E. 2003. ‘Economic Dimensions of Invasive Species’. Choices Magazine. (http://www.choicesmagazine.org/2003-2/2003-2-02.htm) Pimentel, D., L. Lach, R. Zunniga, D. Morrison. 1999. Environmental And Economic Costs Associated With Non-Indigenous Speciea In The United States. (http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Jan99/species_costs.html)

29. Works Cited (pictures) USGS Graph (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/graphs/State.asp?state=NY) Waterchestnut picture 2 (www.communitygarden.org.au) Waterchestnut picture 1 (www.umext.maine.edu) Carp picture 1 (www.seagrant.wisc.edu) Carp picture 2 (www.assabetriver.org) Zebra Mussel picture 1 (www.protectyourwaters.net) Zebra Mussel picture 2 (epod.usra.edu) Eurasian Watermilfoil picture 1 (www.nps.gov) Eurasian Watermilfoil picture 2 (www.echovermont.org)