AIS Science Forum

Corbicula fluminea (Asian

clam)
Didymosphenia
geminata
(rock snot)

Pacifastacus leniusculus Potamogenton

(signal crayfish ) crispus
(curly-leaf
pondweed)
Four Important
Relationships
Defining Risk-The AIS Matrix

Agency Affiliation:

User Data-41

5
Rating Scale- Rate w
AIS Presently
 Calcium Based Rick Assessment-
ZM & QM
• Whittier et al 2008: Main hypothesis is low
calcium waters resist invasion
• Provide guidance for the allocation of
management resources
• Very Low Risk (12mg/l), Low Risk (12-
20mg/l), Moderate Risk (20-28mg/l),
High Risk (28 mg/l)
• Majority of ZM in HR, exceptions in Highly
Variable areas, Low Risk occurrences
near calcium rich waters
• Flaw-little QMA calcium-based
data invasion risk assessment for zebra and quagga mussels (Dre
 1995-2006
Prior 1995
Low Alkalinity ME
High Alkalinity

NY
VT NH

MA

CT
RI

NJ
Eight states with low-alkalinity areas
Low Alkalinity: 6-9 mg/l (pale yellow ),
where calcium concentrations were expected
High Alkalinity: 10mg/l to be
& higher too low to support ZM. Blue dots indicate
ZM
occurrences in inland lakes, prior to 1995.
Red dots indicate new ZM populations.

A calcium-based invasion risk assessment for zebra and quagga mussels (Dre
 Cohen DFG 2008 Report
• Provide guidance for the allocation of management
resources
• Calcium threshold: minimum calcium needed to support a
population
• Embryonic or larval life stages may be more vulnerable to
certain environmental stresses than are adults
• For population expansion, habitat must be suitable for
survival and growth, gonad development,
gametogenesis, spawning, fertilization, embryonic and
larval development, and settlement
• Calcium at 25 mg/l is high priority, 15 to 24 mg/l is medium
priority, 12-15 mg/l is low priority, less than 12 mg/l are
rated as not vulnerable.
• Most WQ data based on near surface samples
• Very little data on QM
Potential Distribution of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) and Quagga M
 Invasive species:
concerns and issues
within lake waterways of
the Lower Truckee River

Dr . Sudeep Chandra & Dr . Lars

University of Nevada ,
Anderson USDA - ARS Exotic and
Reno Invasive Weed Research
Reno , NV Davis , CA
A gricultural
Research
Service
 Outline
Invasive species: definition, process,
transport, and costs

Known invasive species in lakes of the

Lower Truckee River watershed, their
potential impact and possibility of
management

Species of concern but not yet

established, their potential impact and
possibility of management

Influences of boats on dispersal to the

Lake Tahoe region, efficacy of
inspections and boat washing
 Invasive species
• a species that has been moved by
human activities to an area where it
was historically absent and where it
did not evolve
• aka…nonnative or alien species
• Results in significant ecological and/ or
economic damages
• cross natural barriers (oceans,
mountains) due to increased
development and modernization of
transportation systems
 Becoming invasive is a process
Transported

Transport
Stage

Death or Released
Captivity
Establishment
Stage

Fail to Established
Establish
Spread
Stage

Remain Spread ( Vectors & Pathways )

Local
Impact
Stage
Impact
human
values low high
 Preventing horticultural introductions of invasive plants:
potential efficacy of voluntary initiatives
Jennifer W. Burt Æ Adrianna A. Muir Æ Jonah Piovia-Scott Æ Kari E. Veblen Æ
Andy L. Chang Æ Judah D. Grossman Æ Heidi W. Weiskel 2007 Biol. Invasions
Zebra mussel- infestation, clogging, &
cuts!

Lubner, Wisconsin Sea Grant

Hydrilla infestation leads to clogging
of waterways and boat motors ,
habitat modification changes ecology
including fishing
Egeria densa , Eichhornia crassipes ,
Myriophyllum spicatum , M . aquaticum ,
Potamogeton crispus
in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta
 Majorvectors contributing to
unintentional spread of
invasive species
• Boats (recreational, commercial)


• Fishing equipment (waders, boots, lures, bait)



• Waterway connections (rivers, canals)



• Waterfowl


• Aquarium or ornamental use

•
• Construction, repair and maintenance
operations
 R e cre a tio n a lb o a tin g
• A main vector of interlake (and
intralake) spread of aquatic species
– Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington,
Northeast, etc.


Photo Alberta Transportation Dept.

www.trans.gov.ab.ca
 Nonnative species: a costly
problem!
 “The approximately 50,000
nonindigenous species in the U.S.
cause major environmental
damage and losses totaling
approximately $137 billion per
year.”
 -Pimental et al. Bioscience
(2000)
Aquatic Invasive Plants (US): $2-4

billion
 O u tlin e
Invasive species: definition, process,
transport, and costs

Known invasive species in lakes of the

Lower Truckee River watershed, their
potential impact and possibility of
management

Species of concern but not yet

established, their potential impact and
possibility of management

Influences of boats on dispersal to the

Lake Tahoe region, efficacy of
inspections and boat washing
2010- Survey results
Known invasive species- potential
impacts & management
possibility
Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea)
Impact- stimulates algae
productionmay influence native
invertebrate biodiversity,
facilitate the invasion by other
species by providing structure
(e.g. quagga & zebra mussels), clogs
intake pipes, aesthetic

Elimination- No
Known invasive species- potential
impacts & management
possibility?
Signal crayfish (Pacifasticus
leniusculus)
Impact- stimulates algae
production, facilitates invasive
warm water fishes, controls native
invertebrate biodiversity, competes
with amphibians for food and preys
on their eggs.

Elimination- No
Control- Yes
Known invasive species- potential
impacts & management
possibility?
Eurasian watermilfoil
(Myriophyllum spicatum)
Impact- clogs boat motors, reduces
native fish habitat & increases
habitat for nonnative, warmwater
fishes, releases nutrients possibly
increasing algae growth, aesthetic
(pumps P from sedimnts to water
column)
Elimination- ?
Manageable- Yes
Known invasive species- potential
impacts & management
possibility?
Curlyleaf pondweed
(Potamogeton
crispus)
Impact- clogs boat motors, reduces
native fish and native plant
habitat & increases habitat for
nonnative, warmwater fishes,
releases nutrients possibly
increasing algae growth, aesthetic
Eradication- Possibly (if early
stages)
Curlyleaf pondweed-
Typical Dense
Canopy
 Outline
Invasive species: definition, process,
transport, and costs

Known invasive species in lakes of the

Lower Truckee River watershed, their
potential impact and possibility of
management

Species of concern but not yet

established, their potential impact and
possibility of management

Influences of boats on dispersal to the

Lake Tahoe region, efficacy of
inspections and boat washing
 New Zealand mudsnail potential
establishment

Rapid expansion of mudsnail invasions in the U.S.

(Kolosovich and Chandra, Aquatic Invasions, in review)

 Will quagga mussel survive in our
“low” calcium waters?
• March/ April 2008- Discussion whether or not quagga could
establish in the region
• Previously published literature suggests low risk based on
calcium levels
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•


–
•
(Whittier et al 2008)
 Will quagga mussel survive in
our “low” calcium waters?
• Lake Tahoe AIS working group and the TRPA adopted
a “need to know” approach since once established
quagga can not be controlled
• Data gaps included calcium information gaps along
the nearshore where introductions are likely to
occur
• 1990’s- zebra establishment at Lake George- similar
calcium levels as Tahoe but currently managed
• October 2008- Quagga detection at Lake Granby,
calcium levels similar to Lake Tahoe


•
•
•
•
•
 A pilot study was conducted
in 2009
Quagga potential survival, growth, and establishment questions:


• Based on previous calcium based, risk models what areas of

Lake Tahoe may exhibit survival?
• What areas in the local region may exhibit survival based on
previous calcium based risk models?
• What is the adult survival and growth potential of quagga in
Lake Tahoe water?
• What is the reproductive potential after living in in Lake Tahoe
water?
• What potential water quality impacts may occur due to quagga
establishment?
•
Asian clam and quagga interactions


• Will Asian clam beds infesting Lake Tahoe facilitate the

establishment of quagga?
•
•
•
•
•
 Based on previous calcium
based, risk models what areas of
Lake Tahoe may exhibit survival?
 Lake Tahoe calcium levels are low with the
greatest levels in the Tahoe Keys

• Previous calcium
based models
suggest low to low
risk for Lake Tahoe
•
•
•
•
–
•
•
•
•
•
 Based on previous calcium
based, risk models what areas in
the local region may exhibit
survival?
Eastern slope ecosystems exhibit the highest
calcium levels
• Previous calcium based
models suggest
moderate to high risk
for Lahontan
Reservoir, Walker
River, & Walker Lake
• While these lakes do not
have quagga, boats
arrive to Lake Tahoe
from these lakes
•
•
•
•
–
•
•
•
•
•
What is the survival and growth
of adult quagga in Lake Tahoe
water?
86% survival over 52 days with positive growth
over the project period

1 :1
m a in te n a n ce
lin e fo r
co m p a riso n
 What is the reproductive
potential after living in lower
calcium waters?
What potential water quality
impacts may occur due to
quagga establishment?
Quagga substantially decrease algal biomass in
a short period of time
Will Asian clam beds infesting
Lake Tahoe facilitate the
establishment of quagga?
Some clam beds are elevated in calcium and
provide hard substrate habitat for growth

41
Quagga mixed with clams appear not to be
doing well… Experimental issue of not
enough food

42
 Conflicting information or cautionary
management practices?
•
• Previous calcium based models suggest low to low risk survival in
Lake Tahoe water
• Our results suggest
– 86% survival over 52 days
– Positive growth
– Potential for reproduction or at least holding onto developed
gametes in low calcium waters
• Previous models need to be developed further for conservation
purposes for systems in the Western US since ecosystems (e.g.
Colorado) with similar Ca concentration are have veligers
• Risk of adult survival is likely in waters of Lake Tahoe (5-15 ppm
calcium with sediment beds of Asian clams at 20+ ppm)
• Argument for cautionary management practices and the urgent
need to prevent infected boats from arriving at Lake Tahoe
• Starting in Sept 2011, UNR-DRI funded to conduct a life cycle risk
assessment and survival study from adults to veligers under low
and elevated calcium levels
•
 Examples of Invasive Aquatic
Plant that Threaten the Truckee
Watershed
 Primary Target Invasive Species
Estimates for US Aquatic Weed Impacts: $1 to 2 billion per year.

Est. Annual Management Costs or Losses-California

üEgeria densa: $4 million per year (Management)
üMyriophyllum spicatum: $500,000.
üHydrilla verticillata: $2 million per year (Calif. Eradication)
(ca. $30 million in Florida, La, TX, IN)
üEichhornia crassipes: $4.5 million per year (Management)
üYellow starthistle: $60 million (Management)
üAlgae in rice (alt.to Cu): est. $100,000. (Management)
üCaulerpa taxifolia: $7 million total (Seaweed Eradication-Success!)
üUndaria pinnatifida $50K (Seaweed- hand removal now)
üLudwigia hexapetela $????? (Flood Control, Mosquito control /West
Nile virus)
üNEW: Limnobium laevigatum (S. American sponge plant) ($50k/year now)
 USDA- ARS
Exotic and Invasive Weed Research-
Riparian Weed Management Research Projects
ØRiparian vegetation (Ludwigia spp. Arundo donax): phenology/
ecological roles, biological control, herbicide control)
ØSubmersed and floating aquatic weed in canals, lakes, and the
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Egeria densa H. verticillata,
M. spicatum, M. aquaticum, P. crispus, E. crassipes,
L. laevigatum)
ØModeling plant growth (e.g. Arundo donax)
ØAssessing potential for new types of herbicides (lakes, canals)
ØBiological control of E. densa (explorations in S. America)
ØInvasive weed survey as part of restoration in the San Joaquin River
ØInvasive marine vegetation (Undaria pinnatifida, Caulerpa taxifolia)
ØMicrobial functions in the Rhizosphere (root-zone interactions)
Typical Habitat Requirements for Submersed Aquatic Plants
•Substrate stability: But only extremely high flows
limit plants; Periodic scouring can suppress biomass
•Substrate type: Only solid, rock, large cobble bottom
(and sufficient scouring) will eliminate establishment
>Most types of sand, silt, clay will support some
growth; maximum biomass typically found on silt, clay
and with <5% organic matter
•Water velocity: Can stimulate elongation and increase
biomass of many rooted submersed plants.
•Light: Require only 25 to 75 µmols PAR
(Noon Summer sun is ca. 2,000µmols above surface)
•Nutrients: Primarily from substrates, some from water
 General Types of Aquatic Plant Growth Forms:
Emergent Plants Floating Plants

Foliage in Air

Roots
in Water

Submersed Plants

Foliage- in Water
Roots in the
Sediment
Fig.1 Aquatic Plant Resource Requirementsfor Establishment, Growth and Dispersal

Management Actions Can act on any of these “drivers” to shift population abundance

(1)High Light Levels

(2)Atmospheric Drivers are
Carbon Dioxide
shown in blue
boxes. Click on
the boxes for
Floating Plants
Emergent Plants more details and
references.

(9)Water
Quality
(10)Nutrients
in Water (3)Sediment
Submersed Plants
Characteristics
(4)Nutrient in
(8)Local sediments
Flow (5)Anchoring
Conditions

(6)Low Light Levels

(7)Dissolved
Carbon (DIC)
Sources
Light and Plant Growth
 Interactions Between SAV, FAV and EAV Affecting Establishment and Growth

Red (dashed)=Negative effect (causes reduced growth

Green (solid)=Positive effect (more growth)
Double Arrows= Competitive Interactions Light: shading whole
plants

Long-term
accretion of
Floating Plants organic matter
Emergent Plants

Light:Shading
seedlings,
vegetative Sediment-
propagules borne
nutrients

Light: water-
shading borne
whole nutrients Light:shading
plants whole plants
Submersed Plants

Reduced velocity,
increased Substrate Accretion of
Stability organic matter
Can Carbon and Nutrients Limit Aquatic Vascular Plants?
•Probably NOT nutrients in most “urban settings”:
>Tissue levels 1 to 4 % N are typical
>P is cycled rapidly and is seasonally
replenished; sediments provide a major
reserve of nutrients
•Carbon could limit submersed plants- but
Photosynthetic plasticity can compensate for changes
in species of carbon that dominate
•What then limits establishment and growth?
>Substrate stability/type, water velocity and
inter-species competition for space and light
are primary drivers
Sources of Carbon and Nutrients for Aquatic Vascular Plants
ØFloating Plants: Dissolved N, P, K, micronutrients in water;
Atm. CO2 (increasing !)
Water hyacinth, S. Amer. Spongeplant
and NATIVE PLANTS
ØEmergent Plants: Sediment NPK, micronutrients, Atm.
CO2 (Now increasing)
Arundo donax, Phragmites, Lythrum salicaria (Purple loosestrife),
Ludwigia species
and NATIVE PLANTS
ØSubmersed (rooted) Plants:(Physiological plasticity)
80-95+% SedimentNP(K), micronutrients 10-20% Dissolved N, P,
K, micronutrients in water
Dissolved CO2, HCO3(increasing) (C-3, C-4, CAM-like PS)
E. densa, P. crispus, M. spicatum
and NATIVE PLANTS
 Distribution of Major Aquatic Weeds

Trapa natans, Hydrocharis

Lepidium latifolia, Spartina morsus-ranae, Lythrum
alterniflora,Codium sp., salicaria, Phragmites spp.
Lythrum salicoria

Eichhornia crassipes, Salvinia. Cabomba carolaniana,

molesta, Limnobium spongia,
Hydrocotyle,HCabomba caroliniana, Panicum repens,
Hygrophila polysperma,
Ipomea aquatica, Arundo donax, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia
Phragmites spp.Spartina alterniflora molesta, Eichhornia
(hybrids), Caulerpa taxifolia, crassipes,Colocasia
Undaria pinnatifida, esculeta, Ipomoea
aquatica, Landoltia
punctata, Caulerpa spp,
Maleleuca quinquenervia,
Schinus terrebenthifolius,
Solanum viarum.
Eurasian watermilfoil flowering-Lake
Tahoe (Tallac Lagoon)
 Colony of Curlyleaf Pondweed-
South Shore, Lake Tahoe (Sept. 2006)
Curlyleaf Lake Tahoe- Sprouting
turions
pondweed
( Potamogeton
crispus )

Turion: vegetative
propagule- produced in
spring; disperses in
summer/fall…sprouts in
fall-winter.
 Fleur du lac- Nov. 2009

Myriophyllum spicatum

Elodea canadensis
Eurasian watermilfoil
 Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Egeria/ Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa)

Waterprimrose willows
Hydrilla verticillata M. spicatum, P.crispus

Egeria densa Salvinia molesta

Hydrilla Tuber (formed on shoots that grown down
into the sediment from 2 in. to 24 in deep!)
Tubers can stay viable for 7 to 10 year. One plant can
produce 2,0000 tubers in one season.
Egeria densa near Franks Tract- 2005
Egeria densa
 Didymosphenia geminata
(“Didymo”/”Rock Snot”)

(Light microscopy: Lars Anderson; SEM: Sarah

Kiemle)
 South American Spongeplant
(Limnobium laevigatum)

Flower: Many seeds are

Underside of leaves showing produced; seedling
spongy air-filled tissues float and disperse
(aerenchyma) easily
 Northeast
NOT IN
USA
USA
Only
YET (?)

Trapa natans Lagarosiphon major

Current Trapa natans Populations

When?
 Movement of Aquatic Plants
Through the Horticultural Trade
•In s. New England 76% of non-native
aquatic plants are escapes from
cultivation (Les and Mehrhoff, 1999)

• In NZ 75% of aquatic invasive plants

are of horticultural origin (Champion and
Clayton, 2000)
•
• The 1st monoecious hydrilla in CA was
traced to a contaminated lily shipment
 Findings of Maki and Galatowitsch, 2003

• 92% - Fed. Noxious Weeds acquired

• 93% - plant/animal not requested
• 18% - misidentified plants
• 43% - unordered seeds
• Plants received but not ordered: purple
loosestrife, hydrilla, giant salvinia, curly-leaf PW
• aquatic inverts found in 30 of 40 plant orders;
fish found in two orders
 Many other invasive species
are moving towards the region
Common name Impact Manageable

Spiny waterflea Competes with no

Rusty crayfish fishes fornative
Preys on food No but it depends on
Round goby ecology andwith
Competed changes lake size
fish no
algal production
for food in
and changes
the nearshore
nutrient dynamics
 Outline
Invasive species: definition, process,
transport, and costs

Known invasive species in lakes of the

Lower Truckee River watershed, their
potential impact and possibility of
management

Species of concern but not yet

established, their potential impact and
possibility of management

Influences of boats on dispersal to the

Lake Tahoe region, efficacy of
inspections and boat washing
 Lake Tahoe region will
be infected by boats
arriving from other
regions
• In turn it may infect
lakes within our region

M.E. Wittmann, UC Santa Barbara dissertation

M.E. Wittmann, UC Santa Barbara dissertation
 How to minimize the spread &
introduction?
• M in im ize in fe ctio n p o te n tia l ( a ka
in tro d u ctio n s)
– Agricultural checkpoints on major highways
(California , Baja, etc.)
– Boat washing stations at select entry points
into the
 watershed and/ or stations at boat ramps
 (New England Lakes, Minnesota , Wisconsin,
Washington)







Photo ME Wittmann, UC Santa Barbara

Boat inspection
is a reliable
methods for
identifying plant
and other
invasives
Boat washing is an
effective removal
method
 Components of Integrated
Rapid Response Triad
Invasive Plant
Identification
Biology and Ecology

Resource:
Funds
Personnel
Equipment

Knowledge of Experience and knowledge

infested site: to:
Invasion pathways, Habitats, Implement
Uses, Nontarget effects, containment, control or
Laws, Stakeholders eradication

after Anderson 2005

 Matrix Data
• Before and after scores, are they different?
• Compare AIS-which scores highest?
• Did the scores go up or down for specific AIS?
• Are the scores for waterbodies significantly different?
• Did the scores go up or down for specific
waterbodies?
•
Neogobius melanostomus
(round goby)
 Future Meeting Schedule
Truckee Ranger District Office
June 23 10 AM Begin to review management
alternatives and budgets, Matrix
July 21 10 AM Identify
analysis the preferred management
alternative(s)and link to a funding plan.
August 18 10 AM Continue the strategic
Start the strategic planning
planning process
process
and develop a funding strategy
September 15 10 AM Implement the strategic plan and
coordinate with fundraising
 Thank you for attending the
TRAISPP Science Forum and for
filling out the AIS Matrix
Mt. Tallac, Desolation Wilderness