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News Release:
CAC Researchers Develop Invasive Aquatic Plants Management Tool

Three serious invasive aquatic plants - Brazilian waterweed (Egeria densa), Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and parrotfeather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) - have recently been found in Indiana. Each of these has the potential to drastically alter native ecosystems and reduce lake recreation opportunities. Although each is being aggressively managed by the DNR, the prospect of more species arriving prompted a diverse group of stakeholders to form the Invasive Aquatic Plant Working Group. This group has met regularly over the last two years and includes representatives from the aquarium and watergarden trades, policy-makers and scientist from the Indiana DNR, scientists from The Nature Conservancy, and outreach specialists from Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. Researchers from the Center for Aquatic Conservation have worked with the group to develop a trait-based risk assessment tool so that species in trade, or species proposed for trade, can be screened for their potential to become invasive. Development of the tool has been led by post-doc Reuben Keller, undergraduate Jacqueline Chase and graduate student Ashley Baldridge. It will soon be complete and available for the Indiana DNR to use at it establishes a more pro-active policy for preventing invasions.