Nicodemus Wilderness Project -- Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists

In this picture, we are identifying types of nonnative species located at LUMCON (Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium) in Cocodrie, Louisiana. Nonnative species prevent the growth of the native species, which decreases the habitat and reduces the forage habits of wildlife in the area. These nonnative species change the soil chemistry which prevents the native species from growing efficiently. Many of these nonnative species are transported here on ships carrying goods of any type, hurricanes, falling off an animal migrating south, bought for aquatic gardens to put in an aquarium, or religious reasons. There are easy ways to remove nonnative species such as: manual, mechanical, and chemical. Manual ways are by hand, which is accomplished with SCUBA gear (in deep water scenarios). Mechanical ways are fire, water level manipulation, and sediment removal. Chemical removal can include herbicides and pesticides, but these can also be harmful to native species. Some of these nonnative aquatic forbs are as follows: Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), Water Hyacinth (Eichhoria crassipes), Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), and Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum).
By spreading the knowledge, I learned at LUMCON as a student instructor I am becoming an ecological conservationist by taking matters into my own hands. Doing this I could see our marsh lands in a new perspective and how the nonnative species are preventing native plants to grow. Learning and teaching the younger generation about nonnative species is important to me as a future marine biologist because these nonnative species will become a problem in the future. Also teaching them that to recreate marshes there are certain types of plants to use and not to use to attract "the right crowd." By trying to keep these plants out of our ecosystems by trying to control what types of plants are used to recreate that area we can help prevent nonnative species from overpopulating.