The starry stonewort, a type of invasive algae, has been found in Lake Koronis and Mud Lake in Minnesota. The presence of this non-native macro algae is producing “dense mats” that can “choke out” other flora in the water, reports Perfect Science.
THE THREAT OF INVASIVE SPECIES TO BIODIVERSITY
According to the Virginia-based National Wildlife Federation, invasive species – those that are alien to the ecosystem and likely to spread – pose a large threat to the biodiversity that currently exists in the United States.
“Non-native plants and animals … threaten native wildlife and ecosystems and are causing ecological havoc in many of our most sensitive habitats, pushing many of our native plants and animals to the brink of extinction.”
The introduction of these foreign species can also affect resident taxpayers, who must pay for the consequential damage inflicted on the environment. According to the government, the monetary total could equal as much as $74 billion to $120 billion annually.
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE SPREAD OF THE STARRY STONEWORT
As a preventive measure, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection provides a list of plants that are currently infesting the waters. By doing so, the environmental regulatory agency hopes to encourage locals to report the presence of any disruptive species.
The starry stonewort, in particular, is native to Europe and western Asia. It was first discovered in the St. Lawrence River in 1978, but since then, it has been found in Wisconsin, Michigan and northern Indiana. Its continued spread is threatening to the ecosystem because it pushes out native vegetation species and absorbs resources needed by native species of plants.
According to Celeb Café, the Starry stonewort is usually spread by boats. As such, the government is urging residents to clean the sides of their water crafts before moving and using them in different bodies of water. At the moment, there is no course of action to fight against the plant and its spread. Officials, however, hope to be able to keep the invasive species confined to the two lakes.
