Hydrophyte Volume 20 Issue 4 - August 2016

The South Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society

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Volume 20 Issue 4

Training Module Inside

Highlights Proper Use of Herbicides Duck Nest Box Avian Botulism Live vs. Dead Algae Fisheries Management and Sustainability

www.sfapms.org

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President’s Message

Board Members - 2016 Officers 2016

Hello SFAPMS Members and Advertisers – I can’t believe my term as President is almost over. Where did the time go?

Welcome to Dharmen Setaram as an incoming Board member to our SFAPMS team.

Wow, what a hot summer – the weather and topics like Zika and Algae Blooms!

In closing, I would like to thank everyone for your support and for entrusting me as your President.

It has been a pleasure serving you!

Norma

Norma Cassinari, President

(334) 741-9393

Linda Wolonick, Secretary/

(954) 370-0041

Treasurer Craig Smith, Immediate Past

(561) 301-8326

President Board Members 2016 Rose Bechard-Butman

(954) 382-9766

James Boggs

(352) 521-3538

Andy Fuhrman

(954) 382-9766

Lyn Gettys, PhD

(954) 577-6331

Scott Jackson

(561) 402-0682

Dharmen Setaram

(407) 670-4094

Michael Shaner

(813) 267-5650

Mark Weinrub

(954) 972-8126

Steven Weinsier

(954) 382-9766

The Francis E. “Chil” Rossbach Scholarship Fund

Funds from the scholarship are used to help defray costs for students taking classes related to the study of aquatic environmental sciences or related areas. The scholarship is open to anyone,

WEBSITES PRINT MARKETING Jodi Miller jodi@interactivedesignandmedia.com www.interactivedesignandmedia.com 561.843.1376

and all are encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted throughout the year and the scholarship awarded when a suitable candidate is found. Money raised by the Society during the year partially goes to fund this scholarship, the intent of which is to promote the study of aquatics.

For an application, please go to www.sfapms.org.

Cover Photo: Holly Sutter | Allstate Resource Management Inc.

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Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides No continuing education credits are available for this training module, it is purely for training purposes.

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

www.sfapms.org

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Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

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www.sfapms.org

Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

www.sfapms.org

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Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

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www.sfapms.org

Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

www.sfapms.org

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Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

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www.sfapms.org

Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

www.sfapms.org

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Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

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www.sfapms.org

Training Module - Proper Use of Herbicides

* The use of commercial names is to provide information about products; it does not represent an endorsement of these products.

Credit: Stephen Montgomery | Senior Biologist | Allstate Resource Management Inc.

www.sfapms.org

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2016 Calendar of Events South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Society - 38th Annual Conference Myrtle Beach, SC October 5-7, 2016 www.scamps.org Florida Aquatic Plant Management Society 40th Annual Conference Daytona Beach, FL October 17-20, 2016 www.fapms.org SFAPMS General Meeting Holy Cross Hospital Thursday October 27, 2016 www.sfapms.org North American Lake Management Society 36th Annual Symposium Banff, Canada November 1-4, 2016 www.nalms.org SFAPMS, Board of Directors Meeting Location: TBA November 17, 2016 www.sfapms.org

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Duck Nest Box A Duck Nest Box was built and installed along the Linear Park Trail and Walkway at the Plantation Preserve Golf Course in the City of Plantation Cavity nesting ducks such as wood ducks and common mergansers build nests in abandoned natural tree cavities usually caused by fire, lightning or tree disease. These ducks will also use a constructed nesting box.

Materials for the construction of a duck box is critical. Cedar lumber is recommended as it is resistant to weather and insects. An exterior finish might help to extend the life of the nest box, but it is not suggested for cedar wood.

The placement and location of a nest box is important to increase the chances of the box being used by waterfowl.

Wooded wetlands that contain water throughout the year and lake shorelines are prime areas.

Joe Swift, Wetland Area Supervisor for Allstate Resource Management, constructed a cedar duck nest box for the South Florida Audubon Society’s first installation. Site selection was made by Randy Jacobson, Golf Course Superintendent.

See the photos and visit the Linear Park Trail at the Plantation Preserve.

By: Doug Young COO / South Florida Audubon Society

www.sfapms.org

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Featured Algae Live vs. Dead Algae Algae Problems or Resolved Issue

If you live on a lake in South Florida, you’ve probably encountered scenes like the ones pictured (especially in summer months).

“It’s unsightly.” “It’s a mess.” “I called about this before.” “Why hasn’t anyone done anything?”

Although neither picture represents a desirable situation they are very different. The picture on the left represents a legitimate algae concern. The picture on the right is actually what the previous picture would look like after it has been treated.

Algae are very simple plants and by nature are able to reproduce and grow very quickly. This is why blooms can seemingly show up overnight.

The misunderstanding of algae management often occurs AFTER it has been treated. Even though the accumulated mass of algae may have responded to treatment, it still requires time to decompose and sink. The mats are naturally buoyant, and decomposition can create gas bubbles that become trapped under them, keeping them afloat.

Once an applicator has treated an algal bloom, it’s up to Mother Nature to finish the job. The only

option for instant gratification is manual removal of the dead mats. While this is an option, it can be costly due to its time consuming nature and fees associated with disposal of collected material.

This service is available from most companies, but not typically included in a standard contract.

Dispatching applicators to treat material that is already dead keeps them from addressing other issues in your lakes. Your observations of the situation are extremely important in helping aquatic plant managers address your lake issues efficiently.

Algae requiring treatment will typically be bright or vivid green in color, and float high on the water.

Already treated algae will be dull brown or tan, similar in color to cardboard or a paper bag.

Treated algae will also sit lower in the water and portions of the mat may even be sinking. Aquatic plant managers should always respond to your concerns and strive to help you better understand your lake and the manager’s role in its care.

By: Steve Montgomery Allstate Resource Management

www.sfapms.org

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Fisheries Management & Sustainability Establishing a Fishery Establishing and maintaining a sustainable fishery is a major goal in lake management. A diverse fish population is not only an excellent indicator of the overall health of a lake, but has many other benefits as well. A well-balanced fishery can assist the natural biological and chemical processes of an aquatic system, improving water quality and esthetics. Sustaining populations of grass carp and mosquitofish can help control infestations of undesirable aquatic weeds and mosquitoes. Fish species such as largemouth bass, bream and black crappie provide excellent sport fishing opportunities.

Fish population surveys provide information about species composition, sizes and population densities.

They also provide information necessary to maintain and improve a waterway system. A lake is a living ecosystem in which all components are interrelated, and a lake changes as it ages. For a waterway to support a productive fishery, some of the variables need to be regularly evaluated and maintained in order to keep pace with the evolving aquatic community.

Diversity & Population Density Diversity and density in a fishery refers to the mixture of different species and the number of each species existing in a particular ecosystem. A successful management program promotes species diversity in a lake and maintains a balance between predator and prey populations.

This balance ensures that no particular species becomes too dominant and uses all of the resources available. Monitoring populations also includes an evaluation of levels of undesirable species, such as certain nonnative fish. Some undesirable species can out-compete more desirable species and cause effects to the lakes ecosystem.

Habitat and Cover Adequate habitat and cover is necessary for fish populations to become self sustaining. Without protective cover, many fish populations become exceedingly susceptible to predators such as birds, otters and raccoons. Appropriate habitat includes areas that fish need to find food, and to spawn. Without these sanctuary areas, stocked populations will dwindle in a relatively short period of time. A sound habitat needs to include “nursery� areas to give newly hatched and fingerling fish sheltered areas to forage and grow, protected from predation by larger fish and animals.

Excessive levels of vegetation also create problems for a fishery in a lake. Since plants provide important habitat and cover for fish, many vegetation-associated species such as bluegill can be present in such high densities that limited food resources can limit their growth, and ultimately their size. Excessive plant densities can also reduce prey-capture efficiency of predators such as largemouth bass, which can lead to reduced body condition and growth rates. The end result can be fewer quality-sized sport fish in the lake.

Obviously, excessive plants also reduce recreational opportunities such as fishing, swimming and boating.

By: Steve Montgomery Allstate Resource Management

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Community Outreach Green Cay Nature Center

Lake Worth Drainage District

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Avian Botulism

Avian Botulism is one the most common disease problems of migratory birds and domestic water fowl. Each year many birds die after exposure to a toxin produced by specific bacteria. The two most frequently identified types of Avian Botulism that cause mortality in water fowl are type C, usually associated with ducks and type E, which primarily affects gulls.

Losses in South Florida vary from year to year.

More birds are known to have died in Dade and Broward Counties, than in Palm Beach County.

The disease has been reported on every continent, except Antarctica. Most occurrences have been reported in the past twenty years. The pattern of outbreaks of type C has traveled east from the Mississippi River. Type E outbreaks in birds are less frequent, and are seen to be confined to the Great Lakes area.

A wide variety of birds and a few mammals are susceptible to type C botulism poisoning. Ducks, geese, swans and shorebirds are most often affected by the disease. Vultures are known to be highly resistant to type C toxin. Humans, dogs and cats are generally resistant to Avian Botulism.

The disease attacks the nervous system of birds, causing muscle paralysis. An early symptom is the bird’s inability to fly. Subsequently, neck and leg muscles become affected and the birds are forced to propel themselves across the water with their wings. The inability of the bird to hold it’s head erect has given this disease the nickname "Limbernecksport Disease".

Frequently, birds drown as paralysis progresses.

Those that do not drown eventually die from respiratory failure.

Avian Botulism most likely occurs when air and water temperatures are high, water levels fluctuate and a suitable medium for bacterial growth is present. The bacteria is widely distributed in organic soils and is highly resistant to adverse environmental conditions. As affected birds die and begin to decay, spores ingested during the life of the animal germinate and the toxin is released.

Healthy birds that feed on the carcasses that contain the toxin, or on live maggots on the dead birds, will ultimately catch the disease.

Factors contributing to the development of epidemics are lowered water levels during hot summer months, an abundance of flies and insects in the area and animal carcasses for toxin production. While curing affected birds has been moderately successful with the use of antitoxins, capturing sick birds is difficult and treatment is expensive. Emphasis on the prevention of the disease and immediate control of outbreaks is the key to saving waterfowl populations. Prevention programs should be aimed at prompt carcass removal, stabilization of water levels and effective insect control. Prompt and corrective action can greatly reduce the thousands of birds lost in South Florida annually.

By: Adam Grayson Lake and Wetlands Management North Florida

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To learn more about our line of aquatic herbicides, contact Clark Boyd at 770-365-0509 or clark.boyd@us.nufarm.com.

www.nufarm.com/USIVM ©2015 Nufarm. Always read and follow label instructions. AquaSweep™, Aqua Neat®, Polaris®, Solution®, Tahoe®, and WEEDestroy® are trademarks of Nufarm. Clipper® and Tradewind® are trademarks of Valent U.S.A. Corporation.

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