(AP) An Asian carp was found for the first time beyond electric barriers meant to keep the voracious invasive species out of the Great Lakes, state and federal officials said Wednesday, prompting renewed calls for swift action to block their advance.
Commercial fishermen landed the 3-foot-long, 20-pound bighead carp in Lake Calumet on Chicago's South Side, about six miles from Lake Michigan, according to the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee.
Officials said they need more information to determine the significance of the find.
"The threat to the Great Lakes depends on how many have access to the lakes, which depends on how many are in the Chicago waterway right now," said John Rogner, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
But environmental groups said the discovery leaves no doubt that other Asian carp have breached barriers designed to prevent them from migrating from the Mississippi River system to the Great Lakes and proves the government needs to act faster.
"If the capture of this live fish doesn't confirm the urgency of this problem, nothing will," said Andy Buchsbaum, director of the National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes office.
Scientists and fishermen fear that if the carp become established in the lakes, they could starve out popular sport species and ruin the region's $7 billion fishing industry. Asian Carp can grow to 4 feet and 100 pounds and eat up to 40 percent of their body weight daily.
Rogner, from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, estimated that the male carp was about 3 to 4 years old. It was caught live but has since been killed and will be sent to the University of Illinois to determine if it was artificially raised or naturally bred.
The fish was sexually mature, but Lake Calumet's conditions aren't conducive to reproduction because the water is too still, Rogner said. Even so, the lake is the ideal living environment for the fish because it's quiet and near a river system, he added.
"It fits the model to a T," he said. "They may be concentrated in that area."
Officials said they'll use electrofishing and netting to remove any Asian carp from the lake.
They have been migrating up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers toward the Great Lakes for decades.
There are no natural connections between the lakes and the Mississippi basin. More than a century ago, engineers linked them with a network of canals and existing rivers to reverse the flow of the Chicago River and keep waste from flowing into Lake Michigan, which Chicago uses for drinking water.
Two electric barriers, which emit pulses to scare the carp away or give a jolt if they proceed, are a last line of defense. The Army corps plans to complete another one this year.
"Is it disturbing? Extraordinarily. Is it surprising? No," Joel Brammeier, president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, said of the carp's discovery beyond the barriers.
He said the capture highlights the need to permanently sever the link between the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes. The Army Corps is studying alternatives, but says the analysis will take years.
"Invaders will stop at nothing short of bricks and mortar, and time is running short to get that protection in place," Brammeier said.
In Michigan, officials renewed their demand to shut down two shipping locks on the Chicago waterways that could provide a path to Lake Michigan. The U.S. Supreme Court has twice rejected the state's request to order the locks closed, but state Attorney General Mike Cox said he was considering more legal action.
"Responsibility for this potential economic and ecological disaster rests solely with President Obama," Cox said. "He must take action immediately by ordering the locks closed and producing an emergency plan to stop Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan."
A Chicago-based industry coalition called Unlock Our Jobs said the discovery of a single carp did not justify closing the locks. Doing so would damage the region's economy and kill jobs without guaranteeing that carp would be unable to reach the lakes, spokesman Mark Biel said.
"A few isolated incidents of Asian carp in this small section of the Illinois Waterway does not mean existing barriers have failed," said Biel, also executive director of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois. "Additional regulatory controls and river barriers should be explored before permanent lock closure is even considered."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100624/ap_on_bi_ge/us_asian_carp_great_lakes
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Decline of freshwater species - a loss of natural capital
The decline of biodiversity represents a loss of natural capital for future generations. Freshwater ecosystems are particularly affected, as they harbour disproportionately high levels of biodiversity. But knowledge of the development and decline of diversity in freshwaters remains patchy. So far, measures to protect genetic diversity in rivers and lakes have failed to halt the downward trend. What is widely underestimated, according to Eawag scientists, is the extent to which reduced habitat diversity also prevents species formation, thus accelerating the spiral of decline.
At this year's Eawag Info Day - held on Tuesday, 22 June - the latest findings of research on freshwater biodiversity are being presented to more than 200 scientists, water professionals, administration officials and policymakers. The 'proceedings' of this event (initially published in German as Eawag News no. 69) are available at the website below.
A mere 0.3% of the Earth's surface is covered by lakes, rivers and wetlands. Even in Switzerland - Europe's 'water tower' - the proportion is barely 4%. But these habitats harbour a huge variety of species: 40% of the world's 30,000 recognised fish species and over 100,000 invertebrates are found in freshwaters. This diversity is at risk. Not just relative to the surface area but also in absolute terms, extinction rates are considerably higher for freshwater than for terrestrial and marine species. In Switzerland, for example, 17 of just over 100 known fish species are extinct. More than 60% of all aquatic plants are believed to be threatened. Present-day extinction rates are comparable to those seen during the greatest mass extinction events in the Earth's history. Eawag research has now shown that, in addition, ever-fewer new species are being formed. Evolutionary ecologist Ole Seehausen calls this doubly negative trend a 'catastrophic biodiversity debt.'
Seehausen and his group have demonstrated that changes in the same processes which led to the development of existing species are often responsible for a decrease in the formation of new species - e.g. when environmental changes reduce the size or diversity of habitats. Genetic adaptations to ecologically distinct niches are then no longer required, young species merge into a single hybrid form, and the emergence of new species ceases. In the case of the 32 different whitefish species described in Swiss lakes, at least a third have disappeared over the past 50 years. 'There's not much time left to save the rest,' says Seehausen, who advocates greater cooperation between research and applied conservation.
The group led by aquatic ecologist Piet Spaak showed that - contrary to the assumptions of traditional conservation science - evolutionary processes can often produce marked changes and adaptations in species within a few generations. In this study, 50?year?old resting stages of water fleas (Daphnia) were retrieved from Greifensee sediment cores, and viable eggs were then hatched in the laboratory. Compared with more recent specimens, these water fleas were significantly more resistant to the elevated lead concentrations which prevailed in the 1960s. Another remarkable finding emerged from Seehausen's studies of trout: The five types of trout described in Switzerland - originating from ice age refugia - are evidently adapted to different ecological conditions and can still coexist, without merging, in near-natural rivers. In highly degraded rivers, by contrast, they are displaced by the Rhine trout, which has been widely released. Seehausen notes: 'There are virtually no coordinated programmes to conserve trout diversity.'
Species loss is attributable not only to the fact that habitats have disappeared or become monotonous, but also to a lack of connectivity. Artificial barriers impede the passage of fish. On the lower reaches of the Toess river in Canton Zurich, for example, Eawag biologists counted 23 fish species below a 6?m?high weir, but only 12 above this barrier. On the Sitter (Cantons St Gallen/Appenzell Outer Rhodes/Appenzell Inner Rhodes), 46 of 54 tributaries were found to be inaccessible for the bullhead, a small fish species of the upper reaches. Conversely, the number of fish species in the Lichtensteiner Binnenkanal rose from 6 to 16 within only 4 years after a steep drop where the artificial channel entered the alpine Rhine was reshaped to make it passable for fish.
'On account of its abundant water resources, its topography and its role as a hinge between different biogeographical regions, Switzerland has a particular responsibility for freshwaters and their biodiversity,' says Eawag researcher Mark Gessner, who is also a member of the Swiss Biodiversity Forum. He compares biodiversity to a broad investment portfolio, offering 'insurance for the future.' He argues that high levels of species richness and genetic diversity provide greater stability in the face of environmental changes, which in turn ensures the provision of ecosystem services for human populations. These include, for example, fish catches, but also clean water, flood protection or attractive recreational spaces. Gessner therefore calls on researchers to focus increasingly not only on the extent and causes of declining biodiversity, but also on its consequences. Isolated local measures need to be replaced by an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to water resource management. This requires the kind of rethink in the water management sector which has already begun in the area of flood protection. Here, the Eawag biologist is supported by Evelyne Marendaz Guignet, head of the Species Management division at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). In her paper, Marendaz said it was clear that, despite all the conservation efforts made to date, it would not be possible to reverse the downward trend with existing instruments and resources. She highlighted the current lack of targets and priorities, and the need for better coordination of enforcement - e.g. between agriculture and water protection policy. The FOEN is therefore developing a Biodiversity Strategy, which is to be presented to the Federal Council later this year.
http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/10062230-decline-freshwater-species-loss-natural-capital.html
At this year's Eawag Info Day - held on Tuesday, 22 June - the latest findings of research on freshwater biodiversity are being presented to more than 200 scientists, water professionals, administration officials and policymakers. The 'proceedings' of this event (initially published in German as Eawag News no. 69) are available at the website below.
A mere 0.3% of the Earth's surface is covered by lakes, rivers and wetlands. Even in Switzerland - Europe's 'water tower' - the proportion is barely 4%. But these habitats harbour a huge variety of species: 40% of the world's 30,000 recognised fish species and over 100,000 invertebrates are found in freshwaters. This diversity is at risk. Not just relative to the surface area but also in absolute terms, extinction rates are considerably higher for freshwater than for terrestrial and marine species. In Switzerland, for example, 17 of just over 100 known fish species are extinct. More than 60% of all aquatic plants are believed to be threatened. Present-day extinction rates are comparable to those seen during the greatest mass extinction events in the Earth's history. Eawag research has now shown that, in addition, ever-fewer new species are being formed. Evolutionary ecologist Ole Seehausen calls this doubly negative trend a 'catastrophic biodiversity debt.'
Seehausen and his group have demonstrated that changes in the same processes which led to the development of existing species are often responsible for a decrease in the formation of new species - e.g. when environmental changes reduce the size or diversity of habitats. Genetic adaptations to ecologically distinct niches are then no longer required, young species merge into a single hybrid form, and the emergence of new species ceases. In the case of the 32 different whitefish species described in Swiss lakes, at least a third have disappeared over the past 50 years. 'There's not much time left to save the rest,' says Seehausen, who advocates greater cooperation between research and applied conservation.
The group led by aquatic ecologist Piet Spaak showed that - contrary to the assumptions of traditional conservation science - evolutionary processes can often produce marked changes and adaptations in species within a few generations. In this study, 50?year?old resting stages of water fleas (Daphnia) were retrieved from Greifensee sediment cores, and viable eggs were then hatched in the laboratory. Compared with more recent specimens, these water fleas were significantly more resistant to the elevated lead concentrations which prevailed in the 1960s. Another remarkable finding emerged from Seehausen's studies of trout: The five types of trout described in Switzerland - originating from ice age refugia - are evidently adapted to different ecological conditions and can still coexist, without merging, in near-natural rivers. In highly degraded rivers, by contrast, they are displaced by the Rhine trout, which has been widely released. Seehausen notes: 'There are virtually no coordinated programmes to conserve trout diversity.'
Species loss is attributable not only to the fact that habitats have disappeared or become monotonous, but also to a lack of connectivity. Artificial barriers impede the passage of fish. On the lower reaches of the Toess river in Canton Zurich, for example, Eawag biologists counted 23 fish species below a 6?m?high weir, but only 12 above this barrier. On the Sitter (Cantons St Gallen/Appenzell Outer Rhodes/Appenzell Inner Rhodes), 46 of 54 tributaries were found to be inaccessible for the bullhead, a small fish species of the upper reaches. Conversely, the number of fish species in the Lichtensteiner Binnenkanal rose from 6 to 16 within only 4 years after a steep drop where the artificial channel entered the alpine Rhine was reshaped to make it passable for fish.
'On account of its abundant water resources, its topography and its role as a hinge between different biogeographical regions, Switzerland has a particular responsibility for freshwaters and their biodiversity,' says Eawag researcher Mark Gessner, who is also a member of the Swiss Biodiversity Forum. He compares biodiversity to a broad investment portfolio, offering 'insurance for the future.' He argues that high levels of species richness and genetic diversity provide greater stability in the face of environmental changes, which in turn ensures the provision of ecosystem services for human populations. These include, for example, fish catches, but also clean water, flood protection or attractive recreational spaces. Gessner therefore calls on researchers to focus increasingly not only on the extent and causes of declining biodiversity, but also on its consequences. Isolated local measures need to be replaced by an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to water resource management. This requires the kind of rethink in the water management sector which has already begun in the area of flood protection. Here, the Eawag biologist is supported by Evelyne Marendaz Guignet, head of the Species Management division at the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN). In her paper, Marendaz said it was clear that, despite all the conservation efforts made to date, it would not be possible to reverse the downward trend with existing instruments and resources. She highlighted the current lack of targets and priorities, and the need for better coordination of enforcement - e.g. between agriculture and water protection policy. The FOEN is therefore developing a Biodiversity Strategy, which is to be presented to the Federal Council later this year.
http://www.sciencecentric.com/news/10062230-decline-freshwater-species-loss-natural-capital.html
Saturday, June 5, 2010
MSU researches freshwater relationships
MSU researchers studying freshwater bodies such as the Great Lakes are studying the relationship lakes have with the surrounding streams and ecosystems.
Creating the term landscape limnology — a new way to study fresh water — three MSU professors in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said they hope their study can help protect and conserve the nation’s water.
Given a grant in 2005, the department was allowed to collect data from 25,000 lakes across New Hampshire, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan. Throughout the five years after the project began, the researchers have made drastic advancements, said Mary Bremigan an associate professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“We are working to develop better monitoring techniques for all lakes,” Bremigan said. “We’re setting reasonable goals and standards for freshwater bodies.”
Landscape limnology studies fresh water by not only examining the water but also its surroundings. Considering all aspects of how freshwater systems work together, the study explores the links between lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and the interactions between natural and human landscapes.
The goal of the project is to improve the broad understanding of the diversity of freshwater resources, and to give freshwater managers science-based tools to manage and protect bodies of water, Bremigan said.
By mastering the use of new technologies, such as geographical information systems, or GIS, aerial photos, data from satellites and information concerning the effects of land usage, researchers blend the information with data collected from the water systems.
By examining the surroundings of the bodies of water, more accurate data can be reached as to exactly how the water systems can be managed, said Patricia Soranno, an associate professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“If a lake in Michigan and Wisconsin were both exposed to 200 pounds of phosphorus, would both lakes experience a similar reaction?” Soranno said. “Now we know that they might react differently. Location matters. We know that water systems should be managed by regions.”
Combining the efforts of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality and the Michigan Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council, the project was a collaboration between state agencies and the university.
“This is one of the few effective collaborative research projects going on,” said Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife assistant professor. “There are social scientists and other co-authors involved, we recognized everyone and we work well together.”
Managed under one form of regulations, lake managers provide the same procedures to all lakes, although the research shows that freshwater bodies should be controlled under a more specialized method.
“It’s more complicated than looking at a shoreline,” Soranna said. “We want to look at the land around the region, it’s a far-scale aspect.”
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/06/msu_researches_freshwater_relationships
Creating the term landscape limnology — a new way to study fresh water — three MSU professors in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife said they hope their study can help protect and conserve the nation’s water.
Given a grant in 2005, the department was allowed to collect data from 25,000 lakes across New Hampshire, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan. Throughout the five years after the project began, the researchers have made drastic advancements, said Mary Bremigan an associate professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“We are working to develop better monitoring techniques for all lakes,” Bremigan said. “We’re setting reasonable goals and standards for freshwater bodies.”
Landscape limnology studies fresh water by not only examining the water but also its surroundings. Considering all aspects of how freshwater systems work together, the study explores the links between lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and the interactions between natural and human landscapes.
The goal of the project is to improve the broad understanding of the diversity of freshwater resources, and to give freshwater managers science-based tools to manage and protect bodies of water, Bremigan said.
By mastering the use of new technologies, such as geographical information systems, or GIS, aerial photos, data from satellites and information concerning the effects of land usage, researchers blend the information with data collected from the water systems.
By examining the surroundings of the bodies of water, more accurate data can be reached as to exactly how the water systems can be managed, said Patricia Soranno, an associate professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife.
“If a lake in Michigan and Wisconsin were both exposed to 200 pounds of phosphorus, would both lakes experience a similar reaction?” Soranno said. “Now we know that they might react differently. Location matters. We know that water systems should be managed by regions.”
Combining the efforts of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, the Michigan Department of Environmental Equality and the Michigan Water Resources Conservation Advisory Council, the project was a collaboration between state agencies and the university.
“This is one of the few effective collaborative research projects going on,” said Kendra Spence Cheruvelil, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife assistant professor. “There are social scientists and other co-authors involved, we recognized everyone and we work well together.”
Managed under one form of regulations, lake managers provide the same procedures to all lakes, although the research shows that freshwater bodies should be controlled under a more specialized method.
“It’s more complicated than looking at a shoreline,” Soranna said. “We want to look at the land around the region, it’s a far-scale aspect.”
http://www.statenews.com/index.php/article/2010/06/msu_researches_freshwater_relationships
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