Recently I have fielded a number of emails and calls from folks wanting to know what is that “red stuff” all over the surface of Ringneck Marsh on Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Well, there is a lot more of it under the water and it is really bad for the marsh’s environment.
Eurasian watermilfoil has been spreading across Ringneck Marsh for years. It’s a non-native, aggressive aquatic plant originally from Europe, Asia and North Africa. It’s a perennial plant that flowers twice a year, usually in mid June and late July. It can grow in 20 feet of water but typically only grows in the three- to nine-foot range. It creates canopy-like structures as it grows toward the water’s surface and is primarily established through vegetative fragmentation; that means a fragment can break off, settle in the sediment, grow roots and establish a new plant. The plant dies back in the fall, but the root system can survive the winter and begin growing again in the spring.
Eurasian watermilfoil been known to crowd out native plants and create dense mats that interfere with recreational activity. This dense growth can also have a negative impact on fisheries by creating micro habitats for juvenile fish and obstructing space for larger fish, ultimately disrupting normal feeding patterns. Due to its inability to provide the same micro habitat for invertebrates created by native aquatic plant species, densely populated areas of this invasive plant create an ecosystem with fewer food sources for the surrounding fish. Its growth can also create low-oxygen zones by blocking out sun penetration to native aquatic vegetation, preventing them from photosynthesizing.
In short, it is bad for native aquatic plant species, fish and recreational uses of the marsh.
Ringneck Marsh is basically covered with the invasive species this year, and as far as I know nothing is being done about it — meaning it may ruin public fishing in the marsh in the future. I’m afraid the situation is only going to get worse in the next few years.
The plant spreading by fragmentation makes it hard to control by mechanical means such as cutting or pulling. Biological control is another possibility. Currently a native insect, the weevil, is being researched but weevils also attack the “good” aquatic plants. Sterile grass carp is another possible option but recent studies have shown that they eat the “good stuff” before hitting the Eurasian watermilfoil. Still another possible means of control involves two systemic herbicides (2,4-D and triclopyr) and two contact herbicides (endothall and diquat). However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service folks are not allowed to use herbicides, which seems foolish to me when there is a serious problem like this and anyone can go to the hardware store and buy all the Roundup they want and use it. We also seem to wait until these non-native species get a solid foothold before we try to do something.
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Here is another problem that has just started and will worsen as the month continues: Turtles are crossing roads as they seek out places to lay their eggs (they even like gravelly road shoulders). The state Department of Conservation puts out a warning every year to motorists to take care not to hit them — and also take care when stopping to pick one up and carry it to whatever side of the road it’s headed to. This is OK except in places like Route 77 through the Alabama Swamps, which is dangerous to drive period (all kinds of passing in no-passing zones, and speeding), nevermind stopping your vehicle to grab a turtle. The best thing for drivers and the turtles is, slow down while driving that road during the month of June, and keep your eyes peeled to avoid hitting them.
Snapping turtles are a whole different situation. These creatures are dangerous — capable of breaking human fingers, and very aggressive. There are no teeth, just sharp and powerful jaws that are hard to get your fingers out of. Their necks are much longer than folks realize and they can reach quite a ways over their backs and sides to grab you. They’re lightning fast when doing this, too. The DEC advises that you can use a shovel or a car floor mat to move them. Most of us don’t carry a shovel in our vehicle. I’d like to see them demonstrate that!
Snapping turtles are not my favorite wildlife, as they have reached up from the marsh bottom with those long necks and pulled down baby ducks, geese and swans. My advice is not to mess with them, period, especially if you are not used to handling them.