Friday, April 16, 2010

Didymo: An Unnatural Species



Didymosphenia geminata, or Didymo, is an invasive species in Colorado. Didymo is naturally found in various parts of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the Pacific Northwest. This species is a small, single celled diatom that lives in streams and can be passed to other streams by living in felt soled wading boots for up to two weeks. Didymo is also known as rock snot since it can grow into large mats that coat rocks thickly, like snot. As fisherman travel from stream to stream, Didymo survives in their boots unless the boots are scraped clean or are bleached. This problem is much worse in Australia and New Zealand than in the US. However, Didymo has been found all around the US, even in Boulder Creek (picture above).


This is a terrible problem that can be easily solved. By posting signs throughout affected areas, or areas that could be easily targeted by the diatom, this problem could be slowed. Informing the general public of Didymo's existence and how they can stop the spread of it will go far to slow Didymo down. New Zealand has had to take drastic measures and make areas for vehicles traveling through streams to wash their tires and undercarriages off. By taking a few extra minutes to clean our boots, cars, and boats, we can slow the spread of Didymo.

http://maineoutdoorstoday.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/didymo.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didymosphenia_geminata

14 comments:

  1. This is very interesting to me as it never really occurred to me that organisms could be passed through the felt on wader shoes. As a fisherman, it would seem like it would be obvious to me to take precautions, but I never thought about my boots. I lived in New Zealand in 2007 and 2008 and was exposed to this problem, though I did not know what it was at the time. Thank you for opening my eyes on a problem I did not was a problem. I will take better precautions next time I go fishing.

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  2. What are some of the major effects of this invasive species Didymo? What problems does it cause?

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  3. The main problem with this invasive species is that as is grows and blankets the stream bottom, this algae smothers and drives out food sources for the fish that inhabit its waters, mostly aquatic insects which are the main food source for trout. I don't fish very often, but I went the other day and noticed some of this goop on the rocks. This is definitely not something we want growing in our rivers and creeks as trout is one the major species of fish in this area, and many people including myself enjoy fishing for them

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  4. It has been found that there is a correlation between the current drought and the increased prevalence of didymo. This is because the decreased stream flow associated low snow pack allows the invasive species to thrive. Studies done by Professor McKnight from CU has found that periodic flooding from reservoirs to increase stream flow can decrease the didymo population by simply dislodging it from the rocks: "The findings suggest that controlled flow releases from reservoirs during the summer could be used to limit the impact of this nuisance species in streams in the Colorado Front Range. Flows below Barker Reservoir near Nederland that are above 200 cubic feet per second -- similar to those experienced last year once the reservoir started to spill in late June -- appear to be sufficient to control the didymo."

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  5. Have there been any efforts in Colorado to dislodge the species? This seems like an easily preventable problem yet one people might not be aware about. Maybe mentioning the problem in the licensing process would increase awareness.

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  6. This is a relatively new problem and Professor Mcknight, along with other grad students are actually working on ways to spread awareness around Colorado. She actually asked the Boulder County Water Department to post signs at popular fishing spots addressing the problem and they didn't think is was necessary. This is currently a large problem and the lack of education is perpetuating the spread of didymo. Simms boots actually discontinued felt-soled boots and are now only producing Vibram-soled rubber boots now. Fishing companies are fully aware of this problem and are informing fishermen. The problem with getting rid of it is that it is almost impossible to get every cell out of the stream. Even after a flood-event didymo blooms have re-formed only months after the flooding.

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  7. I feel that this is a major problem that now one knows about. I actually have Prof. McKnight for Intro to Applied Ecology this semester and we have spent a fair amount of time on this problem. My group and I have spent time in South Boulder Creek, where Didymo is also a problem. We actually did comparisons between the felt soled boots and the Vibram soled boots. The difference is incredible. Vibram soled boots pick up almost nothing from the stream, while the felt soled boots gather anything they touch. The brand new felt soled boots we used to test were disgusting after testing. They were different boots. Even though a few people know of this problem, they aren't doing anything. Ag rad student for another class I have, took us to Boulder creek and had us wade in, but he provided felt soled waders, even after seeing Prof. McKnight's student give a talk on Didymo. This isn't just a problem between streams, but it will harm anything living in the stream. While nothing has been found to halt its growth, many people are looking for ways to stop it for good.

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  8. This looks awful! I've never even heard of it either, which I believe is probably a good reason for it's continued spread. People can't really prevent doing something if they don't know that they are even doing it! I agree that signs should be posted, but I also feel as though more needs to be done to educate the public on this issue.

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  9. This is what happens when God sneezes.... gross
    (I do realize this comment does not invest much towards the conversation ... sorry)

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  10. I agree that taking extra caution and cleaning off boots is very important in trying to minimize spread. Here in Boulder Creek, we have a relatively strong flow of water which helps keep the "didymo" minimal. But during times of drought water flow can be very slow and allow for more "didymo" to accumulate. We need to take precautions like cleaning our boots etc. especially in different times of the year depending on the climate. Posting signs during times of drought could help raise awareness.

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  11. you think that is bad, check out this newly found, unnatural species:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd-S4nOp00s

    It is a colony of tubifex worms that live off human waste in sewer systems. And they pulsate. If didymo and these worms have been created by humans, imagine what monstrosities will come in the future, or are already here.

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  12. Although this problem is bad, it is certianly not new. Increased globalization has allowed invasive species to spread all over the world for hundreds of years. Even with the current levels of education we have today about the effects of invasive species, people still seem to take an apathetic attitude towards preventing the spread of such. There needs to be much more effective and enforced environmental policies ensuring that every person who enters a stream or lake with invasive species such as Didymo need to clean off their gear before leaving.

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  13. The policy solution for this is stricter regulation of international commerce, especially oversea commerce. Regional trading policies need to be favored over international, outsourced ones.

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  14. Education is a key policy solution to this problem another solution could be cleaning stations at stream entrances and in major fishing areas.

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