Loosestrife & Mussels

Rebel Forces might be Victorious:

The span of infestation by both species is daunting. However, recognizing their destruction on local biodiversity has allowed many agencies and individuals to take actions. Information is available for individual landowners on how to get rid of the prolific plant. Depending on the size of the area and the degree of infestation, one can either carefully dig up or cut the plants, being sure not to let the seeds spread, or declare chemical or biological war on the foliage. USDA approved herbicides can be used on infestations in dry areas. Specially selected insects that are known to feed on purple loosestrife can be brought in to chow down on the nuisance (Minnesota Sea Grant 2000).

The zebra mussel might be showing signs of decline on its own and with a little help from humans. First, humans can effectively control their spread by cleaning watercraft after use in one body of water and before use in another. Additionally, there is early evidence that the mussels have started to die off, either due to natural causes like the flood in the spring of 2001, or because of the efforts taken by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers. During the summer of 2001, a “draw down” of Pool 8 (near La Crosse) on the Mississippi allowed native species to regain a foothold, and may have proven fatal for the zebra mussels. By fall, piles of zebra mussel shells became evident, suggesting the warmer waters were not habitable for the invasive species (Nissen 2001). Whether or not the biodiversity of the area returns is yet to be seen.

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