{"id":7857,"date":"2016-03-01T11:31:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-01T16:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/?page_id=7857"},"modified":"2024-08-15T16:20:50","modified_gmt":"2024-08-15T20:20:50","slug":"naturalists-notebook-focus-on-hydrilla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/coastwatch\/naturalists-notebook-focus-on-hydrilla\/","title":{"rendered":"NATURALIST’S NOTEBOOK: Focus on Hydrilla<\/I>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
Nichole Riddle is a communications intern with North Carolina Sea Grant. She is a senior at North Carolina State University.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spring flowers aren’t the only thing arriving with warmer weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In many water systems throughout the state, the invasive Hydrilla verticillata<\/em> waits for its chance to break to the surface once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hydrilla<\/em> awareness also has increased in recent years, as have efforts to control and manage it. Last year, partners from state and local agencies met to discuss the plant in areas around the Albemarle Sound. Some members formed a Technical Advisory Group to develop science-based recommendations to address Hydrilla<\/em> management in the watershed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe data sharing and discussions happening in the advisory group allow new ways of thinking about Hydrilla<\/em> movement in this complex ecosystem,\u201d says Gloria Putnam<\/a>, North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s coastal resources and communities specialist. \u201cEvents like salinity spikes and algal blooms could help limit the spread of this plant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This effort illustrates the increased collaboration among state and local government agencies, universities, and community partners to combat Hydrilla<\/em> in the state. The group brings together local on-the-ground professionals with experts in invasive species and ecosystem management. (See box on page 28 for a list of participating agencies.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The resulting recommendations reflect the importance of an integrated data collection, research and treatment strategy in successfully controlling the spread of Hydrilla<\/em>, Putnam explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The advisory group recommends that annual Hydrilla<\/em> surveys in the region be continued for at least the next five years, but with a new focus. Instead of just confirming the presence of Hydrilla<\/em>, new surveys also will determine the extent of infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The surveys depend on citizen scientists to assist with data collection. The volunteers often have a vested interest: Hydrilla<\/em> grows quickly and profusely, limiting activities, such as boating, paddling and swimming, and even altering habitats in larger bodies of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The advisory group suggested volunteer training start earlier each year so the participants have more time to conduct the surveys while Hydrilla<\/em> growth is at its peak. Additionally, the advisors are developing a standardized reporting format for surveys that could be used by all participating agencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the recommendations were based on results of survey work done in the Albemarle Sound and nearby rivers. A map of Hydrilla<\/em> sightings from the 2014 and 2015 surveys is available online and will be updated annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese maps provide yearly snapshots of the extent of Hydrilla<\/em> in the Albemarle Sound watershed,\u201d Putnam explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sea Grant\u2019s Hydrilla<\/em> webpage now provides detailed instructions on how to report new sightings to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services<\/a> through the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System: Southeast Early Detection Network<\/a>, or EDDMapS. Go to ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/hydrilla<\/a> and select Report Suspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The page also offers tips for identifying Hydrilla<\/em> \u2014 including a printable brochure and contact information for county-level N.C. Cooperative Extension offices \u2014 and lists best practices when taking plant photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Albemarle Sound watershed is so vast. We need other people who are out on the water to get engaged with our work and report new sightings. These new directions will step them through the process. In addition to Hydrilla<\/em>, they also can report other invasive plants through the EDDMapS tool,\u201d Putnam adds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about <\/em>Hydrilla, see the results of survey work and report your own sightings, visit ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/hydrilla<\/a>. For questions, email Gloria Putnam at gloria_putnam@ncsu.edu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This article was published in the Spring 2016<\/a> issue of <\/em>Coastwatch.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n