A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo has made a startling discovery – the first-ever sighting of the invasive aquatic plant, Hydrilla verticillate, in Canada. This aggressive species poses a grave threat to the country’s fragile wetland ecosystems, and action must be taken to combat its spread.
The Invasion Begins
While holed up in a remote part of the Hillman Marsh Conservation Area in Leamington, Ontario, Waterloo Wetland Laboratory head Dr. Rebecca Rooney and her team discovered something unexpected – North America’s most invasive aquatic plant known as Hydrilla verticillate.
Hydrilla Aquatica, Water Thyme: An Aggressive And Adaptable Plant · The plant is an aggressive grower and can rapidly invade entire wetland ecosystem environments and its balance of other plants, and animals that depend on that environment. This highly competitive species spreads quickly across fragmented stems and tubers, and its rapid growth makes it a fierce adversary of conservation.
The Cascading Consequences
Once considered little more than a botanical curiosity, the arrival of Hydrilla in Canada could threaten waterways and recreational activities throughout the country. Invasive plants can rapidly create enough density to clog water intakes, tangle boat motors and interfere with swimming and paddling.
The effect on the ecosystem here at home is even scarier. If the hydrilla can become dominant, it can displace native plant species which reduces biodiversity and modifies the food web that ultimately supports a wide array of aquatic life. The impact of this disruption is so extensive that it can range from fish numbers dropping to die off of the most important breeding habitats for birds and other creatures, the wetland habitat.
The find at Hillman Marsh is of particular worry because the remote location would appear to be good news for eradication efforts. But the researchers at the University of Waterloo know that time is of the essence. Without long-term and multiple-scale control efforts, hydrilla moves from a local issue to an established invasion that requires intensive ongoing costs of containment.
Conclusion
Hydrilla in Canada’s water reminds us of the need for environmental stewardship Although the team at the University of Waterloo is feverishly working on methods to eliminate it, the public can do its part to prevent any future spread by not planting or introducing this invasive species. If we all follow the Clean, Drain, Dry method and continue to report any sightings, then collectively, we can work towards protecting some of our beautiful wetlands and waterways in Canada. We are just starting to fight the war against Hydrilla, but together these in collaboration we can try our best to protect natural habitats that play a vital role in the life of our societies.
