Fanwort: a silent threat to RI freshwater bodies

Kayla Lynch
Posted 12/4/14

Many Rhode Islanders value their local lakes, ponds, and streams, but many may not know about the silent threat that has invaded these freshwater bodies and how they could be potentially …

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Fanwort: a silent threat to RI freshwater bodies

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Many Rhode Islanders value their local lakes, ponds, and streams, but many may not know about the silent threat that has invaded these freshwater bodies and how they could be potentially contributing. The threat is the aquatic plant species commonly known as fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana), which can have serious economic and environmental impacts on the surrounding community.

Fanwort was first noticed in Rhode Island in 1936 and as in most cases was introduced by the aquarium plant trade. This is an issue because once introduced to one water system fanwort can spread easily to other waterways by human, or wildlife means due to its ability to reproduce easily by fragmentation. I am urging the community to become aware of this issue and the implications of their activities that may introduce or continue the spread of the invasive species fanwort.

Outside of its native habitat of South America and the southeast coast of the US, this aquatic weed is known to be a highly aggressive and competitive plant. It tends to be one of the first plants to start growing in the spring, and then quickly grows dense mats of vegetation; in turn, shading and out competing with the native plant species. Along with other severe negative effects on water quality, hydrology, and fish population, this obviously causes a few different serious issues for the people who use and value their local fresh waters.

Fanwort can clog up channels, which disrupts aquatic life and hydraulic flow, as well as damage boat motors, fishing gear and impedes swimming. In cases of dense mats, fanwort can be fairly dangerous for human health and their pets due to the potential tangling by the thick stands and the excessive nutrient levels that becomes present. If left unmanaged a population of fanwort can become very costly, unsightly, and unhealthy for the surrounding community.

If you do have an aquarium and enjoy your fanwort plant there are proper ways of disposing of plant fragments when cleaning your tank. As for preventing further spread, boaters, fisherman, or anyone taking part in recreational activities in an invaded water system should be aware of how to proper clean boats, or gear. For both of these scenarios the best way to dispose of this invasive plant is to use a trash receptacle or disposal in a dry area far away from any water system; these plant fragments can stay viable up to 8 weeks if kept moist. In cases of invasive species early detection and rapid response is always best. Rhode Islanders can take action in the detection and prevention of invasive fanwort by becoming familiar with the phenology and common places of establishment like boat ramps or areas of low turbidity. For more information and identification resources can be found RIDEM at ww.dem.ri.

gov/programs/benviron/water/quality/surfwq/aisindex.htm.

Kayla Lynch is a member of the URI Class of 2015 where she is majoring in environmental management.

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  • starmote

    Thank you, John, for printing this article and also the article about winter moths. It's great that you've provided a place for people to learn about invasive species, even if it just increases everyone's awareness at this point. And thank you, Kayla, for this fine article.

    Tuesday, December 9, 2014 Report this