Lakes
News from the Great Lakes Region
- Beetlemania
- Pine clone
- Michigan invites motorists to go 'loony' with license
- Beached
- From our readers
Beetlemania
An unassuming hero fights the spread of purple loosestrife
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| Photo courtesy of Sea Grant |
?In everyday life we’re not short of heroes. In Michigan, those fighting a war against purple loosestrife have found their hero. This hero is not a human being. It’s a beetle.
According to Michigan State University entomology professor Doug Landis, three species of beetles were introduced in the wild to try to control Purple Loosestrife. Galerucella calmariensis has emerged as the most effective species, the hero.
Landis, who is also a coordinator of MSU’s Purple Loosestrife Project (PLP), said monitoring of a beetle-treated wetland at 23 different sites showed about a 50 percent reduction in the population of this invasive plant.
“One reason is that G. calmariensis mature faster than the other two species of beetles,” Landis said.
“G. calmariensis is like our cruise missiles to destroy the huge enemy colonies of purple loosestrife,” said Mike Klepinger, another coordinator of PLP. “It came in when all other options failed.”
Although the biological control is proving to be a success against purple loosestrife, there are still doubts about its future impact. Those who doubt this method express fear that once loosestrife is controlled these beetles may turn to destroy local vegetation.
The Galerucella and Hylobius, the other two beetles in the experiment, tested against 47 plant species that are closely related to purple loosestrife. Based on the test, these species were considered to be host-specific to purple loosestrife and approved for release by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Galerucella and Hylobius beetles are also harmless to humans and pets.
Because the three species of beetles survive exclusively on purple loosestrife, the number of beetles in any area is expected to rise and fall based on the amount of loosestrife present. “As the plant becomes less common, the beetles will have a harder time finding food,” Landis said. “They will produce fewer offspring, and as a consequence, their population will decline.”
These natural enemies cannot eliminate purple loosestrife but they can severely reduce its density. Once established, the beetles will continue to control loosestrife on a permanent basis, he said.
Native to Europe, purple loosestrife arrived on U.S. shores without its natural enemies. Lacking this community of insects that attack it in its homeland, purple loosestrife easily out-competes native vegetation, forming dense stands with little plant diversity.
Native birds and animals are also displaced by purple loosestrife when their original habitat disappears. Loosestrife is considered a significant threat to wetland ecosystems throughout North America.
Purple loosestrife may well be public enemy number one in this country. “Loosestrife is present in 26 states, covers approximately 400,000 acres and costs about $45 million a year in control costs and lost forage,” Klepinger said.
Community Involvement
Landis said in 1997, the PLP at MSU was initiated to begin the process of re-distributing these natural enemies to additional infested watersheds in Michigan. In the initial season, project personnel raised over 100,000 beetles and released them in 14 locations. The early results are promising with evidence of establishment at most sites. But the job was made more efficient by the participation of many Michigan communities and youth.
Klepinger said one level for community participation is to organize a Cooperative Biological Control (CBC) site. CBC sites are being organized by lakefront-property owners associations, park systems, schools, golf courses and nature centers. With a wading pool, some pots and simple cages, CBC sites should be able to rear 5,000–20,000 beetles for release in their own wetland.
Michigan youth will have additional opportunities to become involved in the effort. Project personnel have been collaborating with educators from across Michigan to develop learning activities that use the process of loosestrife biological control to address key science objectives. At the upper elementary level, the project is currently field-testing an activity set which will culminate with the classes rearing and releasing Galerucella in a local wetland. High school educators are developing activities that include hands-on learning about wetland ecology in the field.
Approximately 200 sites statewide have been inoculated with more than 100,000 beetles. Klepinger and Landis together have trained 150 teacher volunteers to use the beetles. They have established a network of 24 Cooperative Biological Control centers, produced educational materials, and maintain a Web site.
Project leaders and participants are very optimistic about the long-term prospects for success with this approach. Biological control of invasive weeds carries some risk, just as the other control methods, Klepinger said. However, there is no risk-free way to manage loosestrife. “If we do nothing, we risk continued degradation of our wetlands. This approach is self-sustaining and is beginning to show real results,” he added.
Pine clone
Tree preservationists demonstrate cloning
isn't just for ewe, Dolly
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This 3,600-year-old cypress is 118 feet tall and has a trunk circumference of more than 35 feet. The tree is located in Longwood, Fla. Photo courtesy of Champion Tree Project |
Dying white pines in Maine. Ailing oak in Oregon. Disappearing red spruce in the Appalachian Mountains.
Thousands of trees across the United States have been weakened and diseased by pollution, high ozone levels and invasive species.
“The United States has lost 98 percent of its original old growth forests,” said David Milarch, a long-time Michigan tree farmer in the Traverse City area. Because of disease, insects and climate change, “we are cloning trees out of necessity.”
Milarch is also co-founder of the Champion Tree Project, an organization aiming to reverse the dying trend using cutting-edge technologically—by cloning the biggest, oldest tree of each species. Treeless areas are reforested with clones of trees that lived hundreds of years, despite drought, pollution and insects. These trees will potentially grow to be centuries-old survivors, as their ancestors are.
Founded in 1996 by Milarch and his son Jared, a Michigan State University alum, the organization teams up with groups of scientists, nurseries and individuals around the country. These local groups work with the national headquarters in Michigan to gather tissue samples from each champion tree cloned.
Their champ trees have been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. The founders have been guests on NBC’s Today Show and CBS’s Morning Show.
“The oldest known champion tree is a 3,600-year-old cypress in Florida,” said Milarch. “That tree was already 1,600 years old when Christ walked the earth. Now tell me that isn’t worth finger-printing.”
Clones Around the Country
Seventy different species of the group’s cloned trees are grown in North America—from Key West to Canada, from Virginia to California.
The organization will be planting green and white ash clones at the Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York, in memory of those lost in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11. Red ash clones will be planted on the Pentagon grounds in memory of those lost. The living memorial, called Groves of Hope, will be planted on Sept. 11, 2002.
The group recently planted a clone of the 500-year-old National Champion Red Ash from Dowagiac, Mich., at the World Forestry Center in Portland, Ore. The planting ceremony was held during a reception at the Society of Environmental Journalists’ 11th National Conference in October.
The Champion Tree Project was featured in USA Today and The Washington Post, among others, for setting the plans to reforest Mount Vernon with clones of the 200-year-old trees planted by the George Washington. The carbon-copy trees will replace the 70 that have died over the past 100 years. Only 13 of Washington’s trees remain.
According to Milarch, the project will supply Mount Vernon horticulturists with 100 clones over the next 10 years. The project will cost approximately $600,000.
Learn more about the organization in upcoming issues of Country Living Reader’s Digest. In April, PBS with host Walter Cronkite will air a special on the project. Visit them on the Web at www.championtrees.org.
Michigan invites motorists to
go 'loony' with license
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Loon links DNR's Web site: www.dnr.state.mi.us Secretary of State's fundraising license plate page: www.sos.state.mi.us/frp |
?Like bumper stickers, license plates can now reflect motorists’ personalities and attitudes.
The wildlife and nature enthusiasts of Michigan are showing their love for birds and animals by purchasing wildlife habitat license plates displaying a loon graphic.
The familiar symbol for the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund, the loon is included on one of the specialty license plates introduced last April. Against a backdrop of trees, the distinctive black-and-white loon and her chick rest in quiet waters.
From the moment of its introduction the loon plate has been popular with people, said Raymond Rustem, supervisor of the Natural Heritage Program, Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
“Within a span of six months the sale of these license plates has generated more than $124,000,” Rustem said.
Rustem said Michigan taxpayers, who were encouraged to “look for the loon” on the state income tax form for many years, now have an opportunity to show their support by purchasing the loon plate.
“The loon is listed among the threatened species. People here easily identify this bird. It’s a nice looking bird. All these factors were considered before choosing the loon as the representation of citizen support for endangered and threatened wildlife. The plates will act as a daily reminder to citizens of Michigan’s precious wildlife heritage,” Rustem said.
Since its inception in 1983, the fund has raised more than $9.5 million in support of projects for nongame species. The program has three main goals:
- Species management efforts are aimed at restoring endangered and threatened animals and plants. Peregrine falcons, trumpeter swans, gray wolves, Kirtland’s warblers, Mitchell’s satyrs, lake sturgeon and common terns are just a few of the hundreds of wildlife species that have benefited from projects supported through the trust fund.
- Wildlife recreation benefited, with the implementation of more than 100 watchable wildlife sites throughout Michigan. These sites provide a variety of opportunities to view some of the state’s most popular wildlife species.
- Wildlife education has been conducted through more than three million habitat and species posters. Recently, the fund supported over 100 small grants to schools as part of the Nature Education Sites for Tomorrow (NEST) program, which helps schools develop and maintain nature education sites on school grounds.
The loon license plate can be purchased for an extra $35, of which $25 goes to the fund and $10 toward production and mailing costs. The plates can be ordered by mail, fax or in person at Secretary of State branch offices. Also, order forms will be included with vehicle registration renewal notices.
Beached
Failure to test for bacteria may threaten Michigan citizens
Michigan received a failing grade for beach testing. Most counties along Lake Michigan do not have beach monitoring programs, unlike other Great Lakes states.
According to the Lake Michigan Federation, 66 percent of the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline counties fail to test for bacteria. Only 33 percent test for bacteria.
Van Buren, Allegan, Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Manistee, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Mackinac, Delta and Menominee Counties do not test their beaches.
“Michigan’s rogue counties aren’t being responsible for public health,” said Tanya Cabala, the Lake Michigan Federation’s Land & Water Conservation coordinator. “By failing to test for bacteria before people dive in, these counties are putting people at risk during the state’s heavy tourist season.”
Only six out of the 18 Lake Michigan counties have a regular monitoring program. Four counties—Antrim, Berrien, Charlevoix and Ottawa—monitor most of their public beaches once a week. Two counties—Emmet and Schoolcraft—monitor some of their beaches.
Laurel O’Sullivan, the federation’s pollution prevention coordinator, stressed the efforts of communities to prevent the human risk. “Keeping families safe from bacteria pollution requires a community by community approach. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Some communities aren’t even testing for contamination while others test extensively and simply need to eliminate pollution sources,” she said.
Health Impacts
Viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and other microbes enter Lake Michigan from different sources. Discharged sewage that contains human and animal fecal matter is one source of hazardous pathogens and bacteria.
Large amounts of untreated wastewater can enter the lake from the overflow of sewage treatment plants during rainy periods or from the intentional releases of raw sewage.
Contaminants like pets’ and birds’ fecal matter can be another source of pathogens.
Beaches are closed based on the amount of E. coli (Escherichia coli) found. The bacteria tests indicate the presence of fecal material and costs only between $5 and $10.
Salmonella tests cost up to $150 each. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that beaches be closed when E. coli reaches 235 colonies per 100 ml of water.
However, present beach monitoring testing takes 24 hours to complete. Beaches may be open when conditions are dangerous and closed the next day when results are received. The second day, when the beach is closed, could be a safe day to swim. Researchers are trying to speed up the detection process by testing for other contaminants in the water.
Bacteria can survive in sand longer than in water. Although water is inaccessible during a beach closure, sand contact is still allowed. People, especially children, can become infected if they put infected sand in their mouths.
People can experience health effects if exposed to water or sand contaminated with these pathogens, such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, headaches, stomachache, rashes, fever and pink eye. Highly polluted water can cause even more serious illnesses such as hepatitis, cholera and typhoid fever. Drinking water contaminated with E.coli can be fatal in some cases.
For more information, visit the EPA’s beach Web site at www.epa.gov/ost/beaches or Lake Michigan Federation’s Web site at www.lakemichigan.org.
From our readers
Environmental reporters must be driven by need
to tell truth, uncover problems
?I just read your report from the summer 2001 issue of the EJ News, called “Bovine Tuberculosis: An Epidemic in Michigan.”
I am glad that you reported this in your newsletter. But what has prompted me to write is how you ended it: “Imagine what would happen if skittish tourists find out a similar problems exists in Michigan. Yes, imagine.”
The issue is not about skittish tourists finding out, but rather the general population. I believe that Americans have the right to know.
If you do not take this story to the world, you are part of the environmental problem. There already is a whole culture of journalists that have bought into entertainment news. Have you? Or will you be one who busts truth open and puts the problems in the face of the peoples of America? I hope the latter. Nothing will change unless you do.
Here is a site that might interest some of your readers: www.mercola.com/2001/aug/15/perception.htm.
Dona Voijhts
EJ reader
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