An FYI from AIS Coordinator Stephanie Boismenue.....

From: Steph Boismenue <sboismenue@co.oneida.wi.us>
Date: August 31, 2016 at 4:13:12 PM CDT
Subject: AIS News- Starry Stonewort on the Move in WI

Hello,

Unfortunately, the AIS Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) has been discovered in the Sturgeon Bay Channel in Door County (see attached article). This threating AIS is fairly new to Wisconsin. It’s first confirmed discovery in Wisconsin was 2014 when it was identified in Little Muskego Lake, Waukesha County, during an aquatic plant survey. Last year it was confirmed in additional lakes in southeastern Wisconsin. It’s native to western Asia and Europe and was likely introduced to the Great Lakes via ballast water.

Quick Facts about Starry Stonewort:  This AIS may seem small, but the ecological threats are mighty!  It hitches a ride on boats, trailers, and anchors holding sediment. Once introduced, it causes significant ecological threat to our lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, and ponds by forming dense mats that reduce fish spawning habitats, hinders fish and animal movement, outcompetes and reduces diversity of native vegetation, and fragments entangle propellers and damage motors….ouch! It can grow in water depths up to 9 meters (30 feet). 

Similar Species:   Starry stonewort is often confused with Nitella and Chara.  Star-shaped bulbils are a unique feature to Starry Stonewort.

Help Stop this Aquatic Hitchhiker:

·         Practice clean boating and set a good example at boat launches – “Inspect, Remove, Drain & Never Move” to help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!

·         Become a CBCW volunteer and staff a landing to educate boaters and help them clean their equipment.

·         Become trained on the identification of invasive species and help be on the lookout for new populations

·         Share this information with your family, neighbors and lake groups.

Educational Information and Links:

·         Attachments: Starry Stonewort Quick Guide provided by Golden Sands RC&D/CLMN and Starry Stonewort FAQ provided by the DNR

·         Identification: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/fact/starrystonewort.html

·         Photos of Starry Stonewort:  http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/photos/index.asp?mode=detail&spec=218

Steph

Stephanie Boismenue

Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

Oneida County Land & Water Conservation Department

Oneida County Courthouse, 2nd floor

PO Box 400

Rhinelander, WI 54501

Phone:  715-369-7835    
Fax:  715-369-6268
sboismenue@co.oneida.wi.us

www.oneidacountyais.com 

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