Author: clalan

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Removing invasive shrimp could help Lake Tahoe endure climate chaos

Spillman, B. (2019). Removing invasive shrimp could help Lake Tahoe endure climate chaos. [online] Rgj.com. Available at: https://www.rgj.com/story/life/outdoors/2019/08/02/lake-tahoe-shrimp-global-warming/1890476001/ [Accessed 2 Aug. 2019].

 

As the annual State of the Lake report highlighted, attempts to remove an invasive shrimp species may improve the water clarity of Lake Tahoe and offset warming factors caused by humans. Introduced in the 1960s, Mysis shrimp is an invasive species to the lake that feeds on native zooplankton. This native species helps control and maintain algae and suspended particles within the lake. Experimental removal of the shrimp around the Emerald Bay region proved to result in significant improvement in water clarity. As a result, researchers are seeking a lake wide removal of the species.

This report on the impact of an invasive species on a local environment demonstrates the chain reaction nature of interfering with ecological communities, especially by introducing a non-native species. Furthermore, by highlighting a potential solution to this issue, the report emphasizes that climate change is not yet irreversible. Environmental scientists and researchers are developing practices to restore ecosystems and offset climate change factors. However, if  local communities do not take action to protect their surrounding environment, damage may become irreversible. As such, I believe that the California State government should use grants and funding to encourage local governments to protect California’s natural beauty and landscapes.

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How humans accidentally roll out the welcome mat for unwelcome species

NETT, S. (2019). How humans accidentally roll out the welcome mat for unwelcome species. Retrieved 13 August 2019, from https://www.pressdemocrat.com/lifestyle/9878904-181/how-non-native-species-are-disrupting

 

Many non-native species have been introduced to the United States, especially the Northwest Coast around the 18th century as a result of Spanish colonization. While some species, like the honey bee, have benefitted the ecosystem and humans alike, other species have driven out native plants and animals and threatened their existence. These species, known as invasive species, outcompete native species and can cause adverse effects to the ecosystem. For instance, the eucalyptus tree, introduced for lumber and as a windbreak, can increase the risk of wildfires. In 1991, the Oakland firestorm broke out, fueled by the oil in eucalyptus groves, destroying 2,800 homes and killing 25 people. The majority of invasive species have been introduced by humans and has cost California around $3 billion this year alone.

Preventing invasive species is an ongoing and complicated process. Although it is unlikely, if not impossible, to remove many of the invasive species that have dominated Californian wildlife for centuries, it is still important to mitigate their effects. This article highlights how complex, yet vital, monitoring shipments and agricultural travel is to the future of California’s native species. I believe more focus should be put into preventing new invasive species, like the fire ant, from entering and threatening California’s ecosystem. It benefits both humans and nature to promote native population growth and prevent invasive species.

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Officials work to eradicate invasive species from California’s Central Valley

Heryford, W. (2019). Officials work to eradicate invasive species from California’s Central Valley [Video]. Los Banos, Merced: KCRA.

 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has been capturing hundreds of invasive nutria, a native rodent of South America, in order to eradicate the population. The presence of Nutria affects waterways, agriculture, and flooding controls. The department’s program has been centered around Merced county, where the population and its impacts are the largest. Democratic Representative Josh Harder recently visited the department’s ‘ground zero’ headquarters to learn about the program. Harder is seeking increased funding for the program, as the consequences of the invasive species are burdening private farmers, and therefore affecting the entire Californian population and agricultural industry.

The news clip highlights how beneficial limiting and controlling invasive species is to all people. Since the explosion of the Nutria population affects the agricultural industry, it also negatively affects the entirety of the population, even beyond California. As Harder states, the issue of invasive species is a bipartisan issue that benefits everyone to tackle and solve. From farmers, to landowners, to average Californian consumers, the spread of nutria is detrimental to the daily lives of all Californians.

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Monster tumbleweed: Invasive new species is here to stay

Monster tumbleweed: Invasive new species is here to stay. (2019). Retrieved 23 August 2019, from https://phys.org/news/2019-08-monster-tumbleweed-invasive-species.html

The tumbleweed species Salsola ryanii was once predicted to go extinct, but is now rapidly expanding its territory. This gigantic tumbleweed is a hybrid species with two sets of chromosomes from each parent plant, known as polyploidy. As a result, the hybrid tumbleweed are healthier and more resilient than parent species. Tumbleweeds, especially those of significant size, cause property damage, traffic problems, and impact agricultural industry. As climate change progresses, the Salsola ryanii tumbleweed is gaining more territory and has become invasive in a total of 48 states. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have identified an immediate need to inhibit tumbleweed growth in California.

As an invasive species, the Salsola ryanii tumbleweed has caused many issues, both environmental and civil. The tumbleweed is both pushing out native species by outcompeting rivaling plants, as well as contributing to soil erosion. Since many tumbleweed plants root on private properties, like ranches and agricultural properties, land owners should be made aware of how tumbleweeds may affect their own property and the environment as a whole.

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How red eared invaders are hurting California’s native turtles

How red-eared invaders are hurting California’s native turtles. (2019). Retrieved 24 August 2019, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190822165026.htm

Since the summer of 2011, UC Davis undergraduates have been slowly removing invasive red-eared turtles from the campus arboretum in order to examine its impact on the native western pond turtles. Red-eared turtles are commonly kept domestically as pets, and as a consequence are often released into the wild by displeased owners. After being released, red-eared turtles flock to local ponds to compete with native turtle species. The western pond turtle, whose population is already threatened by urbanization and developed agriculture, loses territory and resources to the invasive red-eared species. Once the invasive species is removed, Davis students observed that the native species quickly becomes fatter and expands its population.

This experiment performed by Davis researchers and undergraduates clearly displays the drastic impact of invasive species. The domesticated red-eared species is a menace to Californian ponds. Therefore, more regulations should be placed on the sale of red-eared turtles as pets. I would even go as far as to say that they should be banned as pets within California. Although they initially appear friendly and easy to care for, red-eared turtles quickly become snappy and frustrating with age. As a result, many owners abandon their pet turtles. Since they impact the environment and prove to not be suitable pets, red-eared turtles should not be sold in pet stores nor bred in California.

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