Members can see more Boards, Topics, Picture Galleries, Videos, Games and more. Register NOW...
Recent Pictures (List All)

Rating: (None)
Views: 34
Comments (0)

Rating: (None)
Views: 37
Comments (0)

Rating: (None)
Views: 35
Comments (4)

Rating: (None)
Views: 25
Comments (0)
*

Author Topic: Closing in on aquatic weed control  (Read 5901 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Qld Fisheries, Editor

  • Guest
Closing in on aquatic weed control
« on: March 11, 2011, 04:00:43 PM »
Closing in on aquatic weed control
           


Biosecurity Queensland has three of the world's worst aquatic weeds in its sights with the completion of a crucial study into their control.
           
Water lettuce, water hyacinth and salvinia are considered to be some of the most invasive and difficult to control floating aquatic plants.

Biosecurity Queensland weed scientist Dr Tobias Bickel said these weeds quickly spread within waterways, smothering natural ecosystems and interfering with both agricultural and recreational use.

"They are notorious for not only outcompeting native vegetation, but for actually damaging the environment," Dr Bickel said.

"They significantly affect water quality by reducing oxygen levels, which can be deadly for many native aquatic animals.

"Add this to the fact that water hyacinth makes the water more acidic and increases loss of precious freshwater resources through transpiration.

"Aquatic animals are not the only ones that suffer, with these weeds providing the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can be a threat to human health."

The study not only compared the weeds to determine which was the worst ecologically, but also looked at the success of various herbicides used to control them.

"We tested a range of herbicides to see how effective they were in controlling these weeds throughout different seasons," Dr Bickel said.

"While water lettuce was readily controlled and water hyacinth responded well to one of the herbicides, salvinia was harder to deal with.

"We found that the herbicide most successful on salvinia is currently not registered for its control, although we understand that this will change in the not too distant future."

Dr Bickel said timing also played a large part in the efficient control of these weeds as they reacted at different rates according to season.

"Herbicidal control works better in warmer conditions when the weeds are actively growing," he said.

"Ironically, killing aquatic weeds too fast can cause problems as well.

"The dead and dying weeds create a mat on the water and start to decay. This adds even more nutrients to the water and reduces oxygen levels.

"The study will certainly assist in developing effective aquatic weed management strategies and is an important step in the fight against these weeds."

For more information on aquatic weeds contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 or visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au

Follow us on twitter @BiosecurityQld and on Facebook: Biosecurity Queensland.
           

http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/30_20172.htm
           



Offline Member

  • Fish Restocker
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 55
  • -Receive: 177
  • Posts: 286
  • Liked: 35
  • Karma: 183
  • Gender: Male
  • Fishin more a religion than a pastime!
  • View Gallery
  • Favourite Fishing Spot is: Barratta Ck, Burdekin North Queensland
Re: Closing in on aquatic weed control
« Reply #1 on: March 12, 2011, 04:29:29 PM »
One of the most effective strategies for dealing with aquatic weeds particularly floating ones,  is to jump on the gains provided by large flood spates like we've just experienced throughout Qld - mopping up small residual infestation in weed refugia uses less chemical than tackling entrenched infestations head on and prevents the accumulation of biomass/ and organic matter that underpins nutrient levels supporting infestations and which crashes dissolved oxygen levels when spayed and left to sink/decay !

I hope NRM organisations and biosecurity agencies throughout the State are currently out there doing just that...? :)

Offline Member

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 148
  • Posts: 383
  • Liked: 14
  • Karma: 154
  • Gender: Male
  • View Gallery
Re: Closing in on aquatic weed control
« Reply #2 on: March 12, 2011, 07:42:37 PM »
From the top flexibility in funding, from ground level the foresight to see the opportunities and from the regionals pulling it together. A bit of work there.

Offline Member

  • Sweetwater Fishing Australia
  • Administrator
  • Legend Member
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 2751
  • -Receive: 1294
  • Posts: 3628
  • Liked: 88
  • Karma: 1340
  • Gender: Male
  • Sweetwater Fishing Australia
  • View Gallery
  • Favourite Fishing Spot is: Connors River
Re: Closing in on aquatic weed control
« Reply #3 on: March 12, 2011, 09:44:55 PM »
A fanstastic opportunity to erradicate many weeds is here. In my local area, the Brisbane River runs right in front of here. It was totally blocked not so long back in rafts over a kilometer long. I'd hate to see it get back to that state.....  :walkplank

Offline Member

  • Fish Restocker
  • Legend Member
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 52
  • -Receive: 309
  • Posts: 1344
  • Liked: 34
  • Karma: 328
  • Gender: Male
  • Sweetwater Fishing Fanatic
  • View Gallery
  • Favourite Fishing Spot is: Baroon Pocket Dam
Re: Closing in on aquatic weed control
« Reply #4 on: March 13, 2011, 06:04:53 AM »
I thought they had a bug to chew up the salvinia?

I've not seen any salvinia at all in North Pine since the big floods, be good to be rid of it for a while. Hope they are out there spraying the residual!

Offline Member

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 148
  • Posts: 383
  • Liked: 14
  • Karma: 154
  • Gender: Male
  • View Gallery
Re: Closing in on aquatic weed control
« Reply #5 on: March 13, 2011, 03:30:21 PM »
http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Biosecurity_EnvironmentalPests/IPA-Salvinia-PP12.pdf


Salvinia weevil, not as effective in some places as it is in others. The double edged sword with flood events is that they can spread weeds into uninfested areas as well as reduce their presence 

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
10 Replies
7519 Views
Last post September 30, 2011, 09:29:04 PM
by Member
20 Replies
12610 Views
Last post January 11, 2012, 03:50:03 PM
by Member
2 Replies
3323 Views
Last post April 29, 2012, 03:17:32 PM
by Member
0 Replies
2457 Views
Last post August 13, 2012, 04:03:39 PM
by NSW Fisheries News Feed. Editor
0 Replies
2109 Views
Last post July 06, 2015, 11:28:58 PM
by Member

Upcoming Events, Fishing Competitions, Shows, Expos etc.....


Upcoming Events