Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Aquatic invasive species have detrimental effects on the ecosystems of the Northeastern United States and Canada. Characterizing the patterns of invasion for aquatic invasive species can be important for making local management decisions to control them. We focused onNajas minor(Brittle Waternymph),Hydrilla verticillata(Hydrilla), andNitellopsis obtusa(Starry Stonewort). To characterize their patterns of invasion, we first compiled occurrence records ofN. minor,H. verticillata, andN. obtusafrom the online databases GBIF, iDigBio, and iMapInvasives. We then used QGIS to estimate the ranges (in lake surface area), at different intervals of time, for each species since their arrival in North America. Finally, we calculated the spread rates and performed a linear regression analysis to compare them using the R Programming Environment. Our preliminary results showed that all three species have spread at the same rate. In addition, the range ofH. verticillatais approximately 71.8 km2, while the ranges ofN. minorandN. obtusaare roughly 20x and 60x that ofH. verticillata, respectively.H. verticillatahas been identified as a local problem by several municipalities and has had large removal efforts, potentially contributing to its smaller range, despite having the same spread rate as the other species. Rates of spread and ranges can inform patterns of invasion, which can be used to predict locations at risk of invasion and allow lake managers to implement prevention policies. Spread rates at areas of co-occurrence could be useful in future studies of invasional meltdown.
Recommended Citation
LaDue, Morgan, "020-Investigating Spread Rates of Aquatic Invasive Plant Species in North America" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 7.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/7
020-Investigating Spread Rates of Aquatic Invasive Plant Species in North America
Aquatic invasive species have detrimental effects on the ecosystems of the Northeastern United States and Canada. Characterizing the patterns of invasion for aquatic invasive species can be important for making local management decisions to control them. We focused onNajas minor(Brittle Waternymph),Hydrilla verticillata(Hydrilla), andNitellopsis obtusa(Starry Stonewort). To characterize their patterns of invasion, we first compiled occurrence records ofN. minor,H. verticillata, andN. obtusafrom the online databases GBIF, iDigBio, and iMapInvasives. We then used QGIS to estimate the ranges (in lake surface area), at different intervals of time, for each species since their arrival in North America. Finally, we calculated the spread rates and performed a linear regression analysis to compare them using the R Programming Environment. Our preliminary results showed that all three species have spread at the same rate. In addition, the range ofH. verticillatais approximately 71.8 km2, while the ranges ofN. minorandN. obtusaare roughly 20x and 60x that ofH. verticillata, respectively.H. verticillatahas been identified as a local problem by several municipalities and has had large removal efforts, potentially contributing to its smaller range, despite having the same spread rate as the other species. Rates of spread and ranges can inform patterns of invasion, which can be used to predict locations at risk of invasion and allow lake managers to implement prevention policies. Spread rates at areas of co-occurrence could be useful in future studies of invasional meltdown.