Week of January 4, 2010
Happy New Year! Blog updated 1/8. -------------------------------------------------------- Officials swap stories of battle against invasive species Social pressure, regulations discussed as tools to prevent spread of unwanted plants, animals By Rona Kobell Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Journal Spiny water fleas, furry mitten crabs, northern snakeheads, dead man's fingers-they all sound like something out of a horror movie. But unfortunately, the story of the invaders that took over the nation's seas is all too real. These marauders enter our waterways, either introduced accidentally or on purpose, and within a few short years, many establish breeding populations. They gobble up native fish and native habitats. With no natural predators, there's no stopping their growth. They breed like rabbits-or, as the case may be, nutria. With nature unable to control them, wildlife managers try their best-but often, they're simply too late and the results are devastating. Invade...