New Experiences and Education with Aquatic Invasive Species By Jason

Figure 1: Curly Leaf Pondweed

My name is Jason Tutkowski and I am proud to say that this summer I am a water resources/aquatic invasive species intern at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, WI.  In the past I have mainly worked with terrestrial invasive species such as teasel, sweet clover, and buckthorn, so I am very pleased to have the entire summer to learn about aquatic invasive species (AIS).  Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to an area and have a propensity to spread and degrade the natural environment and human economy/health.  Heavy-hitters in the lakes and streams of the Northwoods include curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian water milfoil, purple loosestrife, banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, and rusty crayfish.  My main focus this summer will be on Harris Lake and Hiawatha Lake in the Winchester area.  I will be working independently as well as with the Winchester Town Lakes Committee and volunteers to locate, document, and provide educational outreach for prominent invasive species such as curly leaf pondweed (Figure 1), Eurasian water milfoil, and purple loosestrife. 

Figure 2: Rice Creek (looking south from County Hwy K)

My search for AIS began on a recent kayaking trip to Rice Creek (Figure 2) with Maggie and Brad – two other water interns at the Discovery Center – as well as our supervisor Anne Kretschmann.  It was during that trip that I had my first look at curly leaf pondweed in the wild.  We threw our plant rake into the water and pulled up a big clump of the stuff.  The leaves of curly leaf pondweed look like thin lasagna noodles which are crisp to the touch and have serrated margins.  Those spiky edges are a key feature which differentiates it from clasping leaf pondweed, its native lookalike. 

Figure 3: Curly Leaf Pondweed Turion

So, why exactly is it a problem?  Well, it’s one of the first aquatic plants to grow in the spring and spreads rapidly through turions- specialized overwintering buds produced by aquatic plants (Figure 3), so it out-competes native plants.  It can also grow horizontally along the surface of the water which blocks light for other aquatic species and makes boating and fishing more difficult.  Then when it dies in mid-summer the decomposing plants sap dissolved oxygen from the water and also increase phosphorus causing algal blooms.  All of those deleterious effects are why it is so important to prevent the spread of curly leaf pondweed!  One of the best things people can do is to inspect and wash their boats and equipment before moving between lakes and streams.  Check out http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/ for more information on invasive species.