Invasive Species
The BLPS approach to management of invasive species has 4 main components:
Why it matters: Prevention is the key with invasive species. Many lakes have experienced devastating
overgrowth of invasive plants such as Eurasian Water Milfoil, Purple loosestrife, and phragmites. At Black Lake zebra mussels first observed in 1999, have significantly reduced our walleye fishery.
We have stands of phragmites in the area, many are native but several non-native invasive sites have been monitored and treated to prevent the spread of this aggressive plant. Phragmites can overtake shorelines with thick monocultures of 10-13-foot-high grasses that crowd out other desirable plants, obscure views and impede navigation. It is difficult and very costly to treat once established.
Purple Loosestrife, a beautiful purple flower, introduced from Europe many years ago as an ornamental can also overtake an area, spreading into the water and crowding out native plants and impeding navigation. Each plant has the ability to release millions of seeds and send shoots up from its root systems.
Nearby lakes have other invasives such as quagga mussels, Eurasian Watermilfoil, European Frog bit, and Round Gobies. We must be vigilant to keep these invaders out!
To learn more about invasive species, keep reading below or visit the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council page regarding aquatic invasive species HERE.
To Learn more about what the BLPS is doing about invasive species, go to our Plans & Impact page HERE.
The BLPS approach to management of invasive species has 4 main components:
- Public Education: through Facebook, website and educational programs
- Prevention: Boat wash events model best practices in cleaning boats and gear to prevent the transmission of invasive plants and animals from one body of water to another
- Surveillance: Lake and roadside surveys are done to identify invasive plants and animals
- Treatment: Owners of sites with identified invasive plants are contacted and treatment is pursued with property owner permission.
Why it matters: Prevention is the key with invasive species. Many lakes have experienced devastating
overgrowth of invasive plants such as Eurasian Water Milfoil, Purple loosestrife, and phragmites. At Black Lake zebra mussels first observed in 1999, have significantly reduced our walleye fishery.
We have stands of phragmites in the area, many are native but several non-native invasive sites have been monitored and treated to prevent the spread of this aggressive plant. Phragmites can overtake shorelines with thick monocultures of 10-13-foot-high grasses that crowd out other desirable plants, obscure views and impede navigation. It is difficult and very costly to treat once established.
Purple Loosestrife, a beautiful purple flower, introduced from Europe many years ago as an ornamental can also overtake an area, spreading into the water and crowding out native plants and impeding navigation. Each plant has the ability to release millions of seeds and send shoots up from its root systems.
Nearby lakes have other invasives such as quagga mussels, Eurasian Watermilfoil, European Frog bit, and Round Gobies. We must be vigilant to keep these invaders out!
To learn more about invasive species, keep reading below or visit the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council page regarding aquatic invasive species HERE.
To Learn more about what the BLPS is doing about invasive species, go to our Plans & Impact page HERE.
Introduction to Invasive Species
Michigan State University periodically offers an online course called "Introduction to Lake Ecology". The course is loaded with information about how to preserve and protect the lakes in our state. The file below contains a six minute video of a lecture from that course that categorizes plants into those that are beneficial, neutral, nuisance, and invasive. Click on the file below to download and view this introductory information.
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Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species to Black Lake
Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters warns us that boats that move between and among bodies of water pose significant risk to the spread of invasive species. The video below offers very clear instruction for how you can move avoid presenting unintended risk to our lake by cleaning, draining, and drying your boat between launches.
Thank you for watching this video.
Thank you for watching this video.