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Species
Profile -- Alligatorweed
USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species
Information Center.
Alligatorweed is a perennial aquatic weed introduced
to the southern U.S. from
South America in the early 1880's from ballast water.
Alligatorweed infestations blocked rivers, canals, and
ditches across the South, often causing severe flooding.
Alligatorweed forms dense mats that crowd out native
species and impede recreational activities such as boating,
swimming, and fishing.
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Plans
for Non-native Oysters in Bay Dropped: Foreign Species
Deemed Ecologically Dangerous (Apr
7, 2009)
Baltimore Sun.
Virginia, Maryland and the Army Corps of
Engineers announced a new strategy Monday for restoring
oysters in the Chesapeake Bay that excludes any use
of exotic Asian
oysters. The decision ends years of
debate about whether to introduce an Asian oyster into
the bay and concludes nearly five years of formal study,
costing $17 million in state and federal funds. The
preferred alternative will focus solely on reviving
native oysters - by building more artificial reefs
in the Bay, expanding oyster farming opportunities
and growing more baby oysters at more hatcheries.
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Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Novel Technologies Improve Detection and Control
(Apr 2009)
USDA. Agricultural Research Service Magazine.
Scientists at the ARS Plum Island Animal Disease
Center are using Infrared thermography (IRT) cameras
to see what human eyes can't. IRT cameras can identify at-risk cattle 48 hours
before they begin to show any clinical symptoms of
foot-and-mouth disease. In the event of an outbreak,
this technology could facilitate rapid containment
of the disease.
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