INVASIVE SPECIES
From New York Federation of Lakes Association
Aquatic Invasive Species
What Are Aquatic Invasive Species?Lakes are natural ecosystems with a wide variety of aquatic organisms. A healthy lake ecosystem is one that includes native aquatic plants and animals. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) (sometimes called exotic, invasive, nonindigenous or non-native species) are aquatic organisms that invade ecosystems beyond their natural, historic range. Their presence may disrupt lake ecosystems and the various uses of a waterbody (recreation, public water supply, etc.)
Aquatic Invasive Plants in New York
Aquatic plants are a natural part of any lake ecosystem, and Chapter 6 of “Diet for a Small Lake” entitled “Aquatic Plants: Not Just Weeds” provides an excellent resource for lake associations.
Some of the most common and disruptive aquatic invasive plants in New York include Eurasian watermilfoil, water chestnut, curly leaf pondweed, hydrilla, fanwort, Brazilian elodea, and starry stonewort.
Aquatic Plants in New York: A Series of White Papers by Scott A. Kishbaugh, 2023.
A variety of introduced aquatic animal species have been introduced to New York lakes. These include zebra mussels, quagga mussels, banded and Chinese mystery snails, the spiny and fishook water fleas, and several invasive fish species.Where Can I Get More Information?
NY iMAP Invasives is an excellent resource providing identification training sessions, mapping technology, and additional information for lake associations.
The New York Invasive Species Information Clearinghouse http://nyis.info/ is also a good source of information for both aquatic and terrestrial species in New York.
NYSFOLA has also compiled a list of AIS by county: https://nysfola.org/ais-by-county/
New York also has seven Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMS) that coordinate a wide variety of AIS activities across the state.
The United States Geological Survey also maintains a database and information about invasive species.
How do I look for invasive plants in my lake? NYSFOLA and DEC have developed a protocol for Aquatic Invasive Plant Surveillance Citizen Scientists on Lakes. You can also conduct a more thorough rake toss survey for a more thorough investigation.
NATURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM
From NRCS
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.
he Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.
ACEP has two components:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/acep-agricultural-conservation-easement-program/new-york/agricultural
From New York Federation of Lakes Association
Aquatic Invasive Species
What Are Aquatic Invasive Species?Lakes are natural ecosystems with a wide variety of aquatic organisms. A healthy lake ecosystem is one that includes native aquatic plants and animals. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) (sometimes called exotic, invasive, nonindigenous or non-native species) are aquatic organisms that invade ecosystems beyond their natural, historic range. Their presence may disrupt lake ecosystems and the various uses of a waterbody (recreation, public water supply, etc.)
Aquatic Invasive Plants in New York
Aquatic plants are a natural part of any lake ecosystem, and Chapter 6 of “Diet for a Small Lake” entitled “Aquatic Plants: Not Just Weeds” provides an excellent resource for lake associations.
Some of the most common and disruptive aquatic invasive plants in New York include Eurasian watermilfoil, water chestnut, curly leaf pondweed, hydrilla, fanwort, Brazilian elodea, and starry stonewort.
Aquatic Plants in New York: A Series of White Papers by Scott A. Kishbaugh, 2023.
- White Paper 1 – Executive Summary of Historical NYS Aquatic Plant Surveys and Plant Metrics
- White Paper 1A – Summary of Major NYS Aquatic Plant Surveys Since the mid 1920s
- White Paper 1B – Elements of Aquatic Plant Surveys and Summary of Major NYS Aquatic Plant Surveys since the early 1920s
- White Paper 1C – Tools Used to Evaluate Species Richness
- White Paper 1D – Evaluation of Species Richness in NYS Lakes
- White Paper 1E – Evaluation of Plant Lists and Individual Plant Species found in NYS Plant Surveys
- White Paper 1F – Evaluation of Coefficients of Conservatism in NYS Lakes
- White Paper 1G – Evaluation of Floristic Quality in NYS Lakes
A variety of introduced aquatic animal species have been introduced to New York lakes. These include zebra mussels, quagga mussels, banded and Chinese mystery snails, the spiny and fishook water fleas, and several invasive fish species.Where Can I Get More Information?
NY iMAP Invasives is an excellent resource providing identification training sessions, mapping technology, and additional information for lake associations.
The New York Invasive Species Information Clearinghouse http://nyis.info/ is also a good source of information for both aquatic and terrestrial species in New York.
NYSFOLA has also compiled a list of AIS by county: https://nysfola.org/ais-by-county/
New York also has seven Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMS) that coordinate a wide variety of AIS activities across the state.
The United States Geological Survey also maintains a database and information about invasive species.
How do I look for invasive plants in my lake? NYSFOLA and DEC have developed a protocol for Aquatic Invasive Plant Surveillance Citizen Scientists on Lakes. You can also conduct a more thorough rake toss survey for a more thorough investigation.
NATURAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT PROGRAM
From NRCS
The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) helps landowners, land trusts, and other entities protect, restore, and enhance wetlands or protect working farms and ranches through conservation easements.
he Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values, protect grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring or conserving eligible grazing land, and protecting and restoring and enhancing wetlands on eligible land.
ACEP has two components:
- Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) help private and tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities such as state and local governments protect croplands and grasslands on working farms and ranches by limiting non-agricultural uses of the land through conservation easements.
- Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) help private and tribal landowners protect, restore and enhance wetlands which have been previously degraded due to agricultural uses.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs-initiatives/acep-agricultural-conservation-easement-program/new-york/agricultural