Invasive Species
Invasive Species
Information on pond management and invasive species, including European water chestnuts, algae blooms, Eurasian water milfoil and a Field Guide to Common Aquatic Plants of Pennsylvania.
News This nasty weed chokes our watersheds and causes property damage around the state. More
Webinars Preventing the Spread of Aquatic Invaders
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PA Sea Grant Personnel, Sarah Whitney and Sara Stahlman, discuss aquatic invasive species. More
Webinars Aquatic Invasives and Water Gardens
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Penn State Extension Water Resources Educator, Diane Oleson, highlights the practice of water gardening and how that relates to the spread of invasive species. More
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Diane Oleson from Penn State Extension discusses best management practices for aquatic invasive species. More
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This presentation provides an overview of the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Issue as it relates to Water Gardening. More
Articles Focus on Aquatic Invasive Species – European Water Chestnut
Diane Oleson, M.S.
The European Water chestnut has nothing to do with the edible variety. It is a rooted aquatic plant that can dominate ponds, shallow lakes, and rivers. More
Videos Several Aquatic Invasive Species of particular concern in Pennsylvania are discussed, and their identifying characteristics reviewed. More
Videos There are a variety of physical control strategies that can be employed. Physically harvesting aquatic plants can have a positive, long-lasting effect. More
Videos When plants and algae grow abundantly, pond and lake owners often think about ways to eliminate the offending plant. Nutrient control is the long term solution. More
Videos There are a few biological methods, that when applied correctly can be very effective and environmentally friendly to your pond. More
Guides and Publications A Field Guide to Common Aquatic Plants of Pennsylvania
Bryan Swistock, Susan Boser
104
$11.00
Identify and manage the aquatic plants growing in your pond. More
Articles Using Grass Carp to Control Aquatic Plants
Bryan Swistock, Jennifer R Fetter, Amy Galford, James Andrew Clark
This information explains how to use grass carp for biological aquatic vegetation control. More
Articles A water garden is fundamentally an outdoor aquarium. The gardener needs to manage the pH, nutrients, and organisms introduced into the system. More
Articles The links below provide a listing of aquatic or wetland plants considered to be noxious weeds by the federal government or Pennsylvania. More
Articles Common Causes of Fish Kills in Ponds
Bryan Swistock
Fish kills are common in many ponds. This article describes common reasons for fish kills in different seasons. More
Articles What is this Plant in my Pond?
Susan Boser
Learn how to eliminate aquatic plants that have suddenly overtaken your pond, and have become a problem either aesthetically or for the pond’s recreational use. More
Articles Barley Straw for Algae Control
Bryan Swistock
In recent years, the use of barley straw has become more common as an alternative method for controlling excessive algae growth. More
Articles Pond Ecology
Bryan Swistock
A brief overview of the natural processes of an earthen pond and how to maintain a healthy pond. More
Videos This is a How-To Video that will guide you in the process of cleaning plants before adding them to a water feature. More
Articles Planktonic Algae
Bryan Swistock
Planktonic algae floats in the water column and can sometimes be confused with muddy water. It causes the water to look green, brown or reddish in color. More
Articles Curly-Leaf Pondweed
Bryan Swistock
One of more than 20 pondweed species (Potamogetons) that occur in Pennsylvania, this invasive plant from Europe frequently grows to nuisance levels in ponds. More
Articles Eurasian Water Milfoil
Bryan Swistock
Eurasian Milfoil is an invasive, nonnative, plant with long stems, often reaching to the surface, with feather like leaves in whorls of 4 or 5 around the stem. More
Articles Filamentous Algae
Bryan Swistock
Different species of filamentous algae exist, but all have a similar growth habit. These algae begin growth in the winter and early spring on the pond bottom. More