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Molly Murray
May 22, 2014
LTAC Biology
Irwin
European Frog-bit
An invasive species is an organism that causes ecological and even economic
harm to an ecosystem where it does not grow naturally. It decreases biodiversity
throughout an ecosystem and can easily be spread to other areas near the invaded
ecosystem. An invasive species is often brought from another country either to serve a
certain purpose or accidentally by boat or traveler. They are often brought purposely for
marketing reasons or experimentation. European frog-bit or Hydrocharis morsus-ranae
L. was brought to the United States to be used as a decorative water plant to be sold and
used in gardens in Canada. It was released into Canadas waters, spreading it not only
across the country but also downstream to the United States.
European frog-bit was brought from Europe to Canada in the early 1900s to be
used for decoration in many gardens across the country. The plant would often invade
the garden, causing the other plants to receive fewer nutrients and die. Some people
would rid the garden of the invasive plant by dumping the remains into Canadas natural
waters. This caused the plants to travel far across Canada and into the Great Lakes in the
United States. The plant has so far spread to Quebec, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie
and Lake Ontario. It has made some appearances in the states of New York, Vermont,
Michigan, Washington, and Illinois (Chicago).
European frog-bit is a water plant that mainly resides in calm waters, such as
ponds or swamps. It has also been known to prosper at the shore of lakes, streams, and
rivers. It is also known to reside in carbon-rich waters, which give it all of its nutrients to
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survive. The invasive plant has thick mats that grow above the surface of the
water. They prevent the growth of other water plants by absorbing sunlight and receiving
nutrients usually needed by native plants. The aquatic animals receive less sunlight
underwater when these thick mats develop also.
The European frog-bit can be identified by its three white petals and yellow
center. It can be found in many still waters and on the shores of bodies of water with
stronger currents. It also has thick, heart-shaped leaves much like a water lily. Its roots
are free-floating, so the plant is not anchored to the bottom of the body of water it resides
in. Rushing currents would push the plant too far down-stream, so it is mostly found in
calm, still waters.
European frog-bit has thick mats that absorb sunlight that would usually be
absorbed by native plants. It takes nutrients- especially calcium- from the water where it
resides, leaving fewer nutrients to be used by plants native to other areas. Since it is a
water plant, it is easily transported to other areas by shipping boats and other smaller
water vehicles, causing an even further spread of the invasive species. Its thick mats also
make travel by boat harder because it slows down the speed of travel. If the area invaded
by this species increases, it could cause even more trouble for importing and exporting
goods.
Laws have already been created in states such as Maine, New Hampshire,
Vermont, and Washington that prevent the importation of Hydrocharis morsus-ranae L.
to prevent the further spread of the invasive species. These laws specifically address the
importation of European frog-bit, and they ban any person from bringing the plant into
these states. They fulfill their duty to prevent more of the plant from appearing in large
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water supplies, and few have been newly introduced to the states recently. No new
technology or plans have been released to remove these plants yet, but authorities do
recommend checking fishing, hiking, or camping gear before leaving to go to a different
location so that the plant is not spread further. It is also recommended to remove frog-bit
by hand if in an ecosystem nearby.
To rid the invaded states of the invasive frog-bit, state governments are promoting
the planting of native water plants to decrease the land taken up by the invasive
species. Also, if the plant is found in nearby waters, it is best to dispose of it by disposal
in the garbage instead of natural waters. These waters can only increase the spread of the
plant and bring native plants closer to extinction. Draining water from boats before
entering new waters is also recommended, given the fact that frog-bit can become trapped
on a boat propeller or caught on fishing gear. This will prevent European frog-bit from
traveling farther into North America, especially Chicago.
If this invasive plant cannot be contained and stopped from repopulating across
the United States, the extinction of many native plants may begin. Frog-bit takes many
of the important resources used every day by animals and plants in our ecosystem. If the
supply of these resources decline because of a new, foreign plant, then we will see fewer
and fewer of plants from our ecosystem. There will be less biodiversity within Chicagos
ecosystem, and many of our own important resources may become limited. Other water
plants such as Water lilies or Illinois Pond Weed may become diminished due to lack of
nutrients in the waters where they reside.
Travel by boat may become harder and more complicated as European frog-bit
continues to spread in Illinois. If the invasive species can travel farther, traces may even
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be found around the Mississippi River. Since this river is very important for travel,
importing, and exporting goods, it could affect the economy and lengthen the time it
takes for goods to be transported to other states. The plant could also affect the growth of
Lake Michigan because it is known to grow near the sides of bodies of water with
stronger currents. This could harm the population of fish in Lake Michigan as well as
reduce the population of water plants either in or near the lake.
European frog-bit is a highly invasive species that could greatly affect the growth
of native plants if not controlled. Currently, there is no technology planned or invented
to control these invasive plants, but they can easily be removed by hand. They also
should not be disposed of in any natural waters, since this would cause even further
spreading of the plant. This plant damages Chicagos ecosystem, and could cause even
more problems if it cannot be contained. No plants have become extinct yet because of
European frog-bit, but lack of sunlight and nutrients can prevent proper growth and
lessen biodiversity in the Chicago area.


















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Bibliography

The University of Georgia Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health.
(2008).Invasive Plant Atlas of New England [Data file]. Retrieved from
http://www.eddmaps.org/ipane/ipanespecies/aquatics/Hydrocharis_morsus-
ranae.htm

Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife. (2013). Aquatic
Invasive Species [Datafile]. Retrieved from
http://www.in.gov/dnr/files/EUROPEAN_FROG-BIT.pdf

Sea Grant Pennsylvania. (2013). Pennsylvania AIS Field Guide [Data file]. Retrieved
from http://www.paseagrant.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/01/PASGFieldGuideAquatic-plants1.pdf

City of Chicago Council. (2007). City of Chicago Passes Aquatic Invasive Species
Legislations Ordinance to Help Protect Waterways [Report]. Retrieved from
http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doe/general/NaturalResourc
esAndWaterConservation_PDFs/InvasiveSpecies/AquaticInvasiveSpeciesPressRe
lease2007.pdf