An invasive species management team is working to document and reduce the spread of red swamp crayfish and stilt grass, both of which threaten the local ecosystem, in southeast Michigan.
GiLLS CISMA — also known as the Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston and Shiawassee Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area — is supported by the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program.
According to Molly Wozniak, the group’s invasive species coordinator, red swamp crayfish degrade water quality, are active burrowers and eat aquatic plant life, which leads to soil erosion. They’re also very aggressive and can kill native species.
Species like the crayfish are often introduced through contaminated bait, or when live crayfish are purchased as pets or food and then released. They are naturally found in the southern United States, and have been confirmed in Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Van Buren and Wayne Counties, according to Michigan Invasive Species.
Japanese stilt grass has also been found in Livingston County. The plant was first introduced to the U.S. when it was used as packing material, with small seeds that are quickly and easily distributed. According to the Department of Agriculture, stilt grass is now considered one of the most damaging invasive species.
The plant can overtake native species, serve as kindling for forest fires, and can’t be eaten by local wildlife.
Wozniak said the plant has only been found near Pinckney, but can very easily spread. She encourages anyone enjoying the outdoors to clean their gear properly by hosing off bikes and brushing off hiking boots, ideally on-site, leaving seeds behind.
“It’s important to preserve what we have, “Wozniak told The Daily. “Not just the wildlife and the ecosystem, but also for us in the long term.”
— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Experts are tracking two invasive species in Livingston County
Reporting by Tess Ware, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tess Ware, Livingston Daily | USA TODAY Network
