What are some examples of Invasive Species in Texas?
– Giant Salvinia: Giant Salvinia is found in quiet water of lakes and ponds, oxbows, ditches; slow flowing streams and rivers, backwater swamps, marshes and rice fields. The majority of the infestation is located in East Texas. Rapidly expanding populations can overgrow and replace native plants which create dense surface cover preventing light and atmospheric oxygen from entering the water. Meanwhile, decomposing material drops to the bottom, greatly consuming dissolved oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic life. Giant Salvinia clogs water intakes interfering with agricultural irrigation and electrical generation. Many infested farm ponds in Texas lie on creeks that drain tributaries heavily depended on for agricultural irrigation. Information on how to prevent the spread of Giant Salvinia and other Invasive Aquatics: Protect Your Waters and Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Check out this humorous TV spot created by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to address this very serious issue. –
