Hydrilla!!!

August 8th was a big day for the crew! Erick and I were surveying some lakes in southeastern Ohio, in Wayne National Forest, and we had some extra time. We decided to drive along the Ohio river on our way up to a urban hub to find a hotel. There were several boat ramps along the route, so we decided to do some rake tosses along the way. So far, we had not found one plant at all the ramps of the Ohio river in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, so it was very surprising when we found an Ohio river ramp in New Matamoras that contained aquatic plants.

Now these were not just the normal run-of-the-mill plants we have been finding in most lakes in the area, but we stumbled across a patch of the infamous hydrilla. The main purpose of this summer study was to identify an early detection method for invasive aquatic plants, but we were really surveying the areas where the alien Hydrilla has yet to be discovered, to see the extent of its spread.

A little about Hydrilla:

-Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an introduced alien species from India and Korea.

-Can grow exponentially from small fregaments, buds or tubors; tubors can last up to four years making management programs very expensive and extensive.

-Can grow in any typre of freshwater, in as little as 4 inches of water, and can grow as long as 25 ft.

-Has branching stems with segments of whorling leaves of 4-8, creating thick mats that can strangle out any native species, get caught in boating and fishing gear.

-Hydrilla can grow up to an inch a day, and in Florida, where it has filled entire lakes, it prevents all recreational use of the water and prevents fish from growing to maximum size. Florida alone has spent millions every year in herbicides and mechanical harvesters to remove hydrilla from waterways.

How did Hydrilla get here?

Hydrilla came over in the aquarium trade in the 1950's. Having been dumped down drains, gutters, storm drains, and into waterways directly, Hydrilla spread from the southern portions of the nation into the country via canals and overground transport such as recreational boating.

You can see from the USDA map to the right, the states where Hydrilla has been found. Since the discovery by our crew, Ohio will soon be added to the map as a positive location of Hydrilla.

(picture source http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=HYDRI)

Me holding up ONE rake full of hydrilla that we threw into the Ohio river in New Matamoras. You can see how massive this plant can get, imagine if this bundle was stuck on your boat prop or fishing line.

Hydrilla on the rake, close up.

(Photo Top: You can see the tops of the hydrilla emerging from the surface of the water as you look downstream of the Ohio River)

For more information regarding Hydrilla:

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/183

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/hydrilla/hydrilla_hp.htm

Wildflowers of the Midwest, Part Two!!

Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota) This pretty, airy relative of the carrot can be found along most roads and within any prairie or quiet field in the Midwest. Although you can cook and eat the taproot, do not get this plant confused with poison hemlock, which can be extremely poisonous.

Tall ironweed (Veronica gigantea) named after the English botanist William Vernon, these flowers can reach heights of up to seven feet. You can find these purple beauties from Florida to Michigan and as far west as Kansas.

Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta) can be found almost anywhere in the Midwest as long as there is ample sunshine. The bright, yellow ray flowers perk up the green landscapes. This native prairie biennial forms bright three inch heads on tall stalks in their second year. This variety has been used in ornamental gardens throughout the entire Continent.

My boss Erick and his bouquet of pink indian lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera). He looks happy holding this elegant flower, but inside he is sad because this is the national flower of India and Vietnam and should not be anywhere near the lakes of Ohio. Flowers such as this can be nice to look at, but they can be extremely invasive (the lake we found this specimen was completely covered on one side by this one species). The best defense against invasives such as this is not allowing ornamental residential pond plants to be released into natural waterways. There should be more education to the public to prevent the spread of plants like this.

This precious gem, cleverly called Jewelweed, or spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis) is one of my favorite little flowers I have seen out here in the Midwest. I found this particular one along a shady gravel road in eastern Ohio. This annual attracts hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, and it's sap has been used to treat symptoms of poison ivy and nettles (in which it is usually found growing alongside).

Protocol Testing!

If you are familiar with science at all, you know that methods and protocols can be a huge source of headachs during any experiment. To validate the invasive aquatic species survey through Notre Dame this summer, we had to preform a grueling 'protocol testing and callibration' period in North west Indiana. During the protocol testing period, we went to specific lakes and preformed several different protocols in order to compare the results to find the best method. The overall purpose of this summer survey is to identify an effective, early detection system for manaegment agencies to combat the invasion of harmful,alien aquatic species. Such a system is only valuable if it can be recreated, easily and fairly inexpensively. Snorkel surveys might not be the best option for an agency to locate invasive species, especially if they can retrieve the same information by throwing a rake from shore or by boat. So far, there have been many instances where we have dove a lake and found invasive species that we didn't find by throwing a rake. But, if you know anything about science, you have to statistically identify significant differences in data and results in order to make official - and the most inclusive - decisions. The wrong decision might allow a cheaper procedure now, but could lead to a more expensive monetary procedure later if the method wasn't accurate and allowed a possible invasive to flourish and take over.

(Images TOP left: Alex preforming Notre Dame rake toss method. TOP right: The 'sophisticated' equipement used to record species and track the divers movements and path through a lake. LEFT: Myriophyllum spicatum, Eurasian Milfoil, one of the most invasive species we have seen all summer. This species can monoculturize a lake and create dense, tall mats under water that can shade out native species and get caught in fishing gear and boat propellers.)

For comparison and analysis, over the last week, the crew preformed:

- our normal procedure (diver and kayaker for half an hour collecting plants around the boat ramps).

- repeated the normal procedure with each crew member diving (to determine variability differences between the divers)

- an Illinois rake toss method (six tosses total from the ramp at various angles).

- Notre Dame rake toss protocol (rake toss along the shore line every 10 meters for 50 total meters).

-and Department of Natural Resource boat rake toss protocol (throwing a rake from a motorized boat at 25 random spots surrounding the general boat ramp area).

In general there were differences from each method, and while diving may be more expensive and involve more man power and specialty, from my perspective as a diver, we can visually see invasive in the water and report them more accurately and effectively then any of the rake methods can. But we will have to wait and see what the scientific analysis will say.

(Images TOP right: Lake Backwater -Webster. Erick in the motor boat about to preform the DNR boat rake toss protocol, this method was very time consuming. TOP left: Mike kayaking for Alex in a grove of yellow water lilies.

Below left: Native musk-grass (Chara spp.) and its little red reproductive structures. And it really does smell musky. Right: INVASIVE curly-leaf pond weed (Potomogeton crispus) can be very stiff and scattered throughout a lake making it hard to locate by rake tossing and sometimes hard to find when diving. This can be a big nuisance for boaters if it gets too out-of-control. )

Flowers of the Midwest regions, part 1

Everywhere I go I take pictures of flowers. Just like in California, most of the pretty roadside blooms are exotic and mostly invasive plants. Although I recently completed a course in plant family recognition, most the flowering plants native to the mid west region possess very different characteristics then most California native. Most the area where we survey, and where I have taken these pictures, is wildlife refuges, wetlands, hunting areas, reservoir, ponds, drainage and flood control areas, state and national forests, and city park lakes. The winters are cold, with snow and ice, and the summers are wet and humid.

Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus). This plant can grow completely submerged or emergent along the side of waterways. This european introduction has now naturalized across most the US and Canada.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Related to Endive, this European asteraceae is all over the midwest, blooming July - September.

*Invasive* Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) This heavy invasive is on our 'List' and when possibly we have to remove any that we see. Wind dispersed seeds can survive on land or in the water and can reproduce rapidly. Although purple and pretty, it can crowd out native aquatic plants that are valuable to waterfowl.

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) This plant has a special relationship with butterflies throughout a range from Nova Scotia down to Florida. This plant can be found along lake shores to highway shoulders. Named after the Greek God of medicine, Asklepios, it can be used to treat a variety of ailments.

White Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata) This flower native to the north midwest region has typical water 'lily pads' that float on the surface of the water creating a peaceful and poetic feel. These are found in most ponds and lakes without a great deal of activity and they bloom from June through August.

This is the bloom of the Yellow water Lily (Nuphar lutea) a floating emergent also found in ponds and lakes with limited activities in most the midwest regions. The yellow flower is smaller then a white water lily, and can emerge from the water on a stalk up to a foot. Insects like to hide in the petal pockets and unsuspectingly fertilize the neighboring flowers as they migrate from bloom to bloom.

If you have the best job...where DO you go on vacation?? Key West of course!

I just got back from my forth of July break. I was very lucky to be able to catch a flight down to Florida to see my boyfriend (of four years!!) and take a little trip down to the keys before the oil (damn you BP) gets to them. It was such a great trip. We started down highway 1 on Friday afternoon and were able to get into Key West right around 3 pm, in time to check into our beautiful room at the Curry House Bed and Breakfast and take a walk downtown for some fresh seafood! Yumm...the grouper and mahi mahi were particularly good this weekend. Saturday we rented a scooter, and went swimming and snorkeling at Zachary Taylor Fort State Park, toured the Island, and went out for drinks and yummy (guess !) seafood again (fish tacos, YUM!). Sunday (Happy Birthday Merica!) we went snorkeling at Looe Key, the only Barrier reef in North America. It was so beautiful; we saw sharks, parrot fish, lobsters and tons of other fishies.

It really is sad to see such beautifully crafted natural phenomenon such as a coral reef so close to eminent danger. The newest reports are saying that according to projected models based on previous years' currents and wind patterns, there is a 80-85% chance that oil from the Gulf can sweep around to the keys (and Looe key) by August. Even if you don't care about the environment, the people who live in the keys (not just seasonal travelers) but the permanent residents surround their entire livelihood on the beauty of the keys. Snorkel and dive shops, scooter and car rentals, seafood dealers, distributors, and restaurants, fishing charters, sailboat and yacht clubs and excursions, and beaches, bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels, weddings and caterers all require the ocean and it's estuaries to be clear, plentiful and healthy in order to attract tourists and adventurers. There is no telling how the oil will effect the economy and ecosystem in the Florida Keys. I know I am very lucky to have experienced the keys and their beauty more then once in my lifetime. I plan to go again someday.

We can see and experience nature in the raw by simply boarding a boat and jumping into the water or loading a backpack and climbing a mountain. But it would be impossible to witness these views if we did not have access to carbon based fuels; we would not be able to fly and drive to such valuable destinations like the Florida Keys (people used to get there via one track train!) in reasonable time to make it back to our jobs and family. However, the conundrum goes, we would not be aware of these sensitive and marvelous worlds if we did not possess the ability to travel and have easy access to these places. So while oil threatens what we love, we need oil to fuel our lives, as a commodity and a necessity. We have developed a need to be mobile, all the while Nature maintains their right to breath and live. Where do we go from here?

Asian Carp and more!

Well, the crew finished up our week in Southern Illinois. We surveyed about 70 ramps, including Crab Orchard Resevoir, Little Grassy, Devil's Kitchen, Lake of Egypt, Mermit Late, Carlyle and Rend Reservoirs. (among others)

Overall Southern IL is very pretty, but dry and hot. The lakes are either very clear, pretty and plant-rich flooded cypress swamps or they are murky, shallow reservoirs with little plants life. Although the lakes may be murky and not much fun to dive, they are mostly located in beautiful parks, with lots of trees and benches and picnic tables. This part of the country means business when they create areas for recreation.

Photos:

Above Left: Crew members Alex R. (diver) and Mike M. (kayaker), Crab Orchard Lake

Above Right: My team, Erick E. (diver) and myself, Angela (kayaker), Devil's Kitchen

June 27th, Sunday: While my boss and I were surveying Horseshoe Lake in the southwest regions of the Shawnee National Forest, we came across some fishermen 'fishing' archery style. (Below right) It's actually pretty amazing to see people able to spot a fish, and shoot it right in the middle of the head with a crossbow and arrow from a bridge 20 feet up. At the dam of horseshoe lake, one guy managed to shoot a huge 20 lbs. bighead carp. (Left) Erick got in the photo with the unfortunate fish to provide a sense of scale for the scientists back home.

The Lodge Lab of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN is currently in the middle of elaborate water testing and analyzing on a project involving the invasive Asian carp. 'Asian carp' is an umbrella term for three specific types of carp ; bighead, silver, and grass. Silver carp are particularly troublesome to aquatic recreationalist because when they are disturbed by a passing boat or other electromechanical sound, they can propel themselves up, out of the water. at a maximim of 20 feet, in no particular direction. Imagine starting your boat in the middle of the lake so you can take your friend around on the water ski or innertube, and a 20 lb fish (much like the one to the right with the arrow in the head) comes flying out of the water and smacks you in the head, or worse! gets it's gross fishie slime all over.

Well right now these fish, found in most the tributaries of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are trying to infiltrate the Great Lakes. Do you know how much space, food and recreation goes on in the Great Lakes?! Need I say more. It would be bad news for everyone.

The Lodge Lab at ND is using a process called eDNA (environmental DNA) where they can gather and filter water from any lake or tributary and run it through electrophoresis and compare it to DNA positives of Asian Carp. Since fish can excrete DNA through they scales, urine and feces, a presence of fish DNA in a particular water sample can indicate the presence of that fish in that waterway.

It's amazing what science can tell us...but for now, I am happy preforming science the old fashioned way...swimming and looking for the presence or absence of plants!!!! Go Team!!

Here is an article about the Asian Carp

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/us/24carp.html?_r=1

And here is more info about Lodge Lab and the eDNA method

http://biology.suite101.com/article.cfm/dna_analysis_and_invasive_aquatic_species

South Illinois ; land of heat, humidity, old cemeteries and water snakes!

(Image Left: Kinkaid Lake, Jackson Co. IL)

I haven't posted in a while, but quiet a bit has been happening here in Southern Illinois. Our office base is in Carbondale, home of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Salukis. We have been busy surveying lakes, both diving and rake tossing. The climate so far has been in stark contrast to the thundering and rumbling rain of Indiana and Michigan. Everyday the sun has been high in the sky and the temperatures have ranged from the low to high 90's (both ambient and surface water). Imagine pulling up to a crystal clear lake, its hot and sweaty outside and you jump out of the van to run to the cool refreshing water - but it's the same dang temperature in the lake as it is outside! Imagine wearing a wet suit and snorkeling at the surface of the lake water. Let's just say that both the kayaker and the diver suffer - AND sweat!

(Kinkaid Lake, north launch) You don't have to be in the gulf to get sludge and grime on the surface of the water. This launch was located in a stagnant cove in the finger of the main lake . It seemed to be utilized fairly often, I don't know why the gunk collected here, and what it was made of either.)

(Horseshoe Lake, Alexander Co. IL) This is an oxbow lake of the ancient Mississippi River. The western edge of the lake was full of bald cypress trees (picture left) and most boat ramp areas where covered by a layer of Azolla, watermeal, and duckweed (picture right). Although we couldn't dive this treacherous lake, the views of the water among the cypress trees with the green living carpet was wonderful. I have not experiences many beautiful sights that compare with water dwelling cypresses and sheets of itsy bitsy plants. I wish to return to this lake in a kayak or canoe and just paddle for hours.

When my boss and I are not swimming, kayaking or scoping out places to throw a rake, we take in the historical sights. Sometimes we read plaques describing civil war battles or historical figures' triumphs, and sometimes we stop and look at old, deteriorating buildings or old cemeteries. I love walking among the manicured grasses, reading the names and dates of people that lived and died in the little towns that we drive through in a matter of minutes. Near, Murphysboro, one family's plot was so decrepit that four members no longer had headstones but four, unmarked rocks. But usually, the granite and sandstone slabs are all that remain in the cemetery next to their kin. It must be soothing somehow to the locals, whose relatives dwell in these plots. What is is like to visit the gravestone of a relative who lived and died in the early 1800's. Perhaps a great-great-great aunt, who only lived a matter of years, or days. They are remembered, even if their name, the numbers marking their lives...or their stone disappears all together.

So yes, the picture on the right (me kissing the fish) was before I dove the lake (below left) in which I found a huge water snake. The underwater environment was murky, with submerged logs and branches, and very few plants. I went towards the shore on my way up from a dive about 6 feet down, and saw this banded and blotchy long body slithering past me from an opening in a log on the right to a pile of branches on the left. It was enough to get me to swim the other way!!
I did freak out, and I did high-tail it outta there! and I did let the jitters get the best of me, but it was my first water snake experience, so I give myself a little slack. I researched what I saw and I think it was a Northern Watersnake, a non-poisonous variety, but apparently, according to Department of Natural Resources Illinois, they like to nip a bit. All in all, it has been a great few days, and we will probably be here until Thursday this week.

I'd take earthquakes any day!

This whole Midwest severe storm and tornado system had me all frazzled and sitting on the edge of my seat. Maybe I should start from the beginning...

It was a beautiful Tuesday in Monroe County, and I had just finished diving beautiful Lemon Lake northeast of Bloomington, IN. The sun was shining, it was warm and there was a slight breeze and we were on our way back into town. All of a sudden, as the sky got slightly dark, a loud, wailing siren about a 100 ft on the left of the road started sounding off. “What is that?” I asked, sitting up, my face showing alarm. My boss answered, with excitement in his eyes and thrill in his voice, “That means we are in a tornado warning! There is going to be a bad storm – let’s go find it!”

Severe thunder storms and tornado conditions are an almost weekly occurrence out in the area of the Midwest where I work, severe thunder storms are common and possible tornado conditions. We were currently in the blunt end of such a storm, and I was not happy realizing that we were stuck in traffic, still several miles from the safety of our hotel.

My boss was trying to explain to me that the cloud formations rapidly engulfing the sky had the utmost potential to create a tornado. The radio ESA seconded him by repeating that the most dangerous zone of the storm was in the northwest of Bloomington to Ellitsville - right where our hotel was!

My co-workers excitement made me second guess my scaredy-cat instinct. Should I have been more excited for some reason? Was I supposed to be happy about this? I remember being little at my aunt’s house in St. Charles, IL and being mesmerized by the lightening and the giant clouds, but I was little, I didn't know any better and if it had got really bad, I could jet down into the basement with my family and I would be safe. Well, here I was on a state road in a flimsy, Ford van sitting in a long line of anxious rush hour traffic definitely NOT being excited about witnessing my first possible tornado.

Obviously, I made it out alive, and although the experience terrified me, I know I have to survive a summer full of these kind of things. I am going to have to embrace the Midwest storms, and maybe someday in August I might look into the sky and see dark blue and grey and actually be excited to see a funnel formation. But until then, if you asked me to choose between Midwest tornadoes or earthquakes in good ol' California - I'd take earthquakes any day!

Another hard day at the office

A day in life: This is quite possibly the best job I have ever had. I wake at 8 AM, dress and get ready. Breakfast is prepared for me by the other crew members and we eat together as we watch news and plan the day. We then drive an average of an hour to one of three or four lake sites. At each sampling site I can choose to either Dive or Kayak.

The dive: consists of zig zagging back and forth along the shoreline and dead zone (where plants no longer grow) along the lake near the boat ramp. We are timed to swim only 30 minutes in the water to gather plants. My goal under the water is to gather every different plant I see, and if I can't ID something- I grab it anyways. The survey we are preforming is designed to identify where the invasive plant populations are occurring, but it is also good to see how many natives are in any particular lake, specifically to get a general idea of the abundance and diversity of that lake's plant biomass.

The Kayak: Being a kayaker is very important. Besides enjoying the sunshine, the water, and working on my arms, when I kayak for another diver I have to make sure they don't get run over by a boat. I also have to be their eyes above the surface. If there is an area that has curious-looking floating plants, or submerged terrestrials, I have to inform the diver so they know to hit that area and gather plants. I also have to preform several measurments. Using a succi disc (it looks like a black and white cookie on a rope) I record the depth of the lake and the general clarity. I take a water temp, a water sample (used for pH and conductivity), note the wind and cloud cover presence. The kayaker also keeps a GPS unit on board in which they track the divers track and their time so we know that they only collected for the allotted time and how much area they covered.

We usually end the day around 4 or 5 and we spend some time playing Frisbee, entering our data, shaking our heads at oil spill news, BBQing, test our water samples, and planning out the rest of the work week. I am very happy in this job so far, and I hope the rest of the summer goes as well.

(Top of page: Me diving in Spring Valley Lake, IN. Middle page: Our trusty steed, the Spitfire kayak, SV Lake IN. Bottom Left: My fins flailing as I go down for a dive. Bottom Right: Me while I kayak for Erick in Lincoln Lake (this lake was GORGEOUS! notice the lotus pads on the surface)