For my project I decided to research invasive species in Lake Champlain. A recent issue, invasive species have appeared in many bodies of water across the country including Lake Champlain. Unlike the usual ecosystem the invasive species often disrupts it causing lots of damage. Unfortunately, poor practices of spread control in the past have left many bodies of water contaminated. Today new practices are being used to help not only stop the spread but to try and eradicate the invasive species.
Our lake as we know it is rapidly changing every day. Lake Champlain has been found to have invasive species and much harm is being done. The lakes natural ecosystem runs in perfect harmony and helps to sustain the lake in a healthy state. Ever since the introduction of non native species into the lake the ecosystem has suffered a break in chain. Shortages of food occur with a new species to feed and many plants destroy the lake’s infrastructure.
There are many different invasive species in the lake but the more well known ones include ale wife, zebra mussel, didymo, and Eurasian milfoil. Ale wife are small sized fish related to herrings and are a large competitor in the plankton food supply. Zebra mussels are small mussel that attach themselves to natural mussels and inhibit their movement often causing them to die. Didymo is a slimy algae that blankets river and streams with a thick snot like substance. Eurasian milfoil is a weed that is easily spread and very hard to control.
These species and the many others cause a large threat to the lake that will only get worse with time. These species have been around for some time with ought us really understanding what they were. Previously very few small streams and river systems were the only ones affected but now it has quickly spread to not only Lake Champlain but other bodies such as the great lakes. Because activities around the lake have been increasing as well as new businesses have led to a rise in frequency of contamination.
This topic is important as it is an important step in the process of conservation where not only the land is conserved but also the waters. People need to realize what a real problem this actually is. It’s not something that may happen in the future but a problem that has already started. It was reported that as early as 1840 these non native species have entered the lake so the problem has had a long head start. Freshwater is an important piece of our everyday life and solely depends on our water supply we use every day. Unlike other problems in our world this one is very relevant and is something that will have a large impact on our life as well as the lives of people in the future.
I think people should care because it is something that will absolutely affect the lives of everybody that depends on fresh water and the lake itself. Though it may seem as if the lake is just sitting there doing nothing but its effect on many lives is great. Many business depend on the lake to keep them running and a destruction of the lake would lead to the destruction of many businesses. Also in today’s world a popular topic is how to conserve and protect our supply of freshwater on the planet. If we can do as much as possible to save the waters from invasive species we hopefully can preserve our water for a lot longer. As you can see, the lake effects a wide range of people and people should care about the things that have an impact on their lives as well as others.
The audiences are important to reach because as I said before, they need to know that this problem is happening know. Often, in today’s media many problems that need to be exposed are not. Many times like the invasive species problem, it is a current issue that people are still unaware of. I think upon hearing of the problem people will immediately react as hopefully they will see that it will have an effect on their life. As soon as the word can be spread about the problem, the sooner a solution will come from it.
Now what? What are we doing to get rid of these species that are destroying Lake Champlain? A big issue in the removal of invasive species is that they spread quickly and evolve quickly. You can remove some but more have already spread and grown. Though the intention is to remove the species it may be too late and a movement to containment could be more appropriate. Because we are only recently stepping up efforts to remove the species we may not know enough to stop them yet.
The newest step in the effort to control invasive species is to try and prevent their spread. National campaigns have been implement targeting two different groups. The first group is commercial large ships that travel through Lake Champlain as well as other bodies of water. When these ships ballast are filled and emptied somewhere else new non native species can be spread. Safer ballast practices have been used to prevent mixing of water. The second group is the recreational consumers that rely on the lake. Activities such as fishing, hunting, swimming, and boating can cause species to latch on and by taking your recreational activity to another lake you spread the species to a new body of water. The most popular campaign is called stop aquatic hitchhikers targeted at the recreational consumers.
In my opinion I think that what we are doing now is not adequate enough to fix the problem. Though prevention in spread is still a good practice more must be done to expose the issue to get more support. A larger effort to eradicate the species has to be made as the species will only continue to grow stronger over time. Hopefully species do not continue to spread and destroy many freshwater areas. An organization needs to stand out and really make an effort to inform the areas involved how large of a problem this actually is
In conclusion invasive species are here right now and is not some prediction made by scientists. Non native species are here to stay and everyday effect the natural ecosystem of Lake Champlain. Species like zebra mussel, ale wife, Eurasian milfoil, and didymo have shown to be difficult to get rid of and so far the lake is still in great danger. As time goes on efforts should increase and so far positive things are coming from those already involved. When my audience is reached I hope that that can understand the immediateness of the problem right in our own backyard.
As of right now the end to the problem is definitely not in site and unfortunately is side by side with the many problems affecting our planet today. We are the cause of all the problems and at this point only we can fix them. The effects on our planet can already be seen and just adds to the further deterioration of the earth. I am confident that this is an issue people can really get behind and work hard to overcome the issue. We have a lot of new information and with some effort can be used to save our planet.
audience piece 1:
Bibliography
1. "Lake Champlain Basin Program: Aquatic Nuisance Species in Lake Champlain." Lake Champlain Basin Program: Home. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lcbp.org/nuissum.htm>.
2. "Environmental Contaminants Program Home Page, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Home. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/Issues/InvasiveSpecies.cfm>.
3. "Exotic Species | Biological Indicators of Watershed Health | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/bioiweb1/aquatic/exotic.html>.
4. "Zebra Mussel FAQs." Southeast Ecological Science Center. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Nonindigenous_Species/Zebra_mussel_FAQs/zebra_mussel_faqs.html>.
5. Http://www.dynamicdrive.com/style/, Dynamic Drive:. ANS Task Force. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.anstaskforce.gov/default.php>.
6. Mooney, Harold A. Invasive Alien Species: a New Synthesis. Washington, DC: Island, 2005. Print.
7. Johnson, Charles W. The Nature of Vermont: Introduction and Guide to a New England Environment. Hanover, NH: University of New England, 1980. Print.
8. Miller, G. Tyler, and Scott Spoolman. Living in the Environment. [Belmont, CA]: Brooks/Cole Pub, 2012. Print.
9. "LCC: Invasive Species in Lake Champlain." LCC: The Lake Champlain Committee - Working for a Healthy, Accessible Lake Champlain. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lakechamplaincommittee.org/lcc-at-work/invasive-species-in-lake/>.
10. Lake Champlain Land Trust, Conservation Since 1978. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.lclt.org/index.php?option=com_content>.
MLA
Audience communication
1. Posters around town informing people of the different types of invasive species and some facts made to look like a wanted poster.
2. Go to the echo center or other lake related place to talk to people and inform them of the problem of invasive species in lake champlain
