Starry Stonewort

A Non-Native Submerged Aquatic Lower Plant STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Characteristics The “squeeze test” may be used to distinguish SSW from Chara spp.

• In SSW, the protoplasm will pop out of the cell when squeezed. The remaining cell wall becomes limp straw (G. Douglas Pullman, Aquest Corp, personal communication).

• In Chara spp., the protoplasm does not separate easily from Source: Online photo. www.startribune.com. the cell wall (Hackett et al. MI Dept. Environ. Quality. Chara sp., a native 2014). lake weed on left; SSW on right. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Characteristics

• SSW plants can form gyrogonites, which are calcified, spiral-shaped fructifications (Bharathan 1983, 1987).

• Many Charophytes produce lime-shells around their oospores, & these lime-shells (called gyrogonites) are frequently found as fossils. (See www.charophytes.com/cms/index.php?option=com_con tent&view=article&id). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Characteristics

SEM lateral & apical views of gyrogonites of :

• Chara aspera (figs.1-2); • C. hispida (figs. 3-4); • C. globularis (figs. 5-6)

Source:www.researchg ate.net STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Taxonomic Classification • EMPIRE……………………………………………...Eukaryota • KINGDOM.…………………………………………. Protista • PHYLUM…………………………………………..Charophyta • CLASS ……………………………………….……Charophyceae • ORDER………………………………………………Charales • FAMILY………………………………………………Characeae • GENUS……………………………………………….Nitellopsis* • SPECIES……………………………………………..obtusa *Other genera in the Characeae family include Chara, Lamprothamnium, Lynchnothamnus, Nitella, & Tolypella. Source: Lewis & McCount (2004). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Taxonomic Classification Starry stonewort description

Stoneworts used to be classified as members of the plant kingdom, but it is now agreed that they belong – along with other green algae – in the kingdom Protista.

Put simply, the protistas are simple multi-celled or single celled organisms, descended from some of the earliest life- forms that appeared on Earth. Some of the Chlorophytes, specifically the stoneworts, are thought by scientists to have been the early ancestors of all plants. Stoneworts do indeed resemble plants, are frequently mistaken for them, and are often found as fossils.

Source:www.arkive.org/starry-stonewort/nitellopsis obtusa. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle • SSW “plant-like” algae are dioecious, which means that algae are either male or female.

• The best evidence to date indicates that the SSW populations in the United States are all male, though there may be undiscovered females.

• This means that spread of SSW is probably through human movement of fragments & bulbils from lake to lake. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle • SSW has orange female structures called oogonia that are located at the nodes of upper branchlets.

• Male structures also are orange colored, & occur at nodes. Source: Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis They are called obtusa) Biology & Management by Scott antheridia. Source: www.algaebase.org. Van Egeren, Wisconsin DNR, July 29, Online photo of paired 2015. Photo from a slide presentation SSW oogonia. Collected by given in a public information meeting. Emma Harris, Norfolk, UK. www.dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/ 08-04-2014. documents/ssw-info.pdf. General Life Cycle STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

The orange to red colored oocytes are female gametocytes from which an egg develops. They are visible to the naked eye.

Source:www.wolverinelake.com A decade of starry stonewort in Michigan (Pullman, G. D. & G. C. Crawford, 2010). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle

• In sexual reproduction, plasmogamy (fusion of haploid gametes) is followed by karyogamy (nuclear fusion) to form a diploid zygote (Graham, L. E., & L. W. Wilcox. 1999).

• Sexual reproduction in SSW occurs through production & fertilization of oospores. • Mature oospores often produced under eutrophic conditions. • Have a mandatory dormant period before germination (Bharathan 1987; Hackett et al 2014). The seed-like oospores germinate into the new plant.

• SSW spore production may be controlled by light & tends to take place from July to September. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle

• Asexual reproduction is a means by which an individual organism can produce additional copies of itself without unions of cytoplasmic nuclear materials or meiosis.

• One way SSW asexual reproduction occurs is by prolific production of vegetative bulbils.

• Creamy white bulbils may occur at the base of the main stem just below the substrate water interface & are attached to root-like filaments.

• Bulbils also may occur on branches of the main stem at nodes. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle

• Bulbils stay viable for several months to years (Hackett et al 2014).

• They can be found at any point during the year.

• Most abundant in late fall & early spring (Pullman & Crawford 2010; Hackett et al 2014).

• Bulbils can sprout in 3-5 days under the right conditions (Bharathan 1987). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa General Life Cycle

• Another way SSW asexual reproduction occurs is by plant fragmentation.

• One release indicates that SSW can easily reproduce from plant-like fragments (Houseman 2014). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Life Cycle With Zygotic Meiosis Most chlorophyceans & charophytes (includes Chara spp., & Nitellopsis obtusa) are primarily found in freshwaters. These algae have (1) haploid vegetative phases. (2) the zygote is the only diploid stage. (3) zygotic meiosis occurs. [After L. E. Graham & L. W. Wilcox. 1999.] Means of Spread of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW can be spread by oocytes. • Oocytes could be easily transported in aquatic plant debris caught in boat trailers.

• Oocytes can easily become attached to the fur & feathers of aquatic fauna. Aquatic plants hitching ride on a • An effective way for SSW to boat trailer. Michigan Dept. of spread rapidly among inland lakes (Pullman & Crawford Environmental Quality. MSU 2010). Extension. Online photo msue.anr.msu.edu. Means of Spread of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW may be spread by algal fragments, but there has been little research in this area.

• Fragments of SSW can easily be spread between lakes by boats, trailers, waterfowl, & anchors holding sediments (Anonymous 2014; Ford-Steward 2015). No reports found on how long fragments remain viable out of water.

• SSW fragments may act as disseminules that could be important in the spread of the alga within a lake & from lake to lake (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Means of Spread of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW also can be spread by star-shaped bulbils • Bulbils occur mainly at the lower stem nodes near the substrate. • Bulbils reach 2 - 6 mm across (about 0.2 in). • Bulbils produce clones of the parent. • Bulbils are cream colored & possess 5 or 6 distinctive points. Source: Online photo at www. uwsp.edu Means of Spread of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW may be spread in ballast water (Mills et al 1993).

• SSW was believed to have been introduced in ship ballast water into the St. Lawrence Seaway (Geis et al 1981; Schloesser et al 1986). Global Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Native Range: SSW is native to Eurasia, from the west coast of Europe to Japan (Mills et al 1993; Soulie-Marsche et al 2002). SSW is now in decline in parts of Europe & endangered in the UK (Hackett et al 2014) where it is afforded general protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981.

Invaded: See Escobar et al 2016. Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present: United States range includes much of the Great Lake Region & • Parts of the Upper Mississippi-Crow-Rum Basin • The Rock Basin • The Upper Illinois Basin • The Allegheny Basin • The Upper Susquehanna Basin • The St. Francois River Basin

(Source: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, Florida. URL:nas.er.usgs.gov.). This website actually lists collection information for SSW sites in the Great Lakes Region and other sites as listed here. Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region • Status: SSW is established in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Wisconsin, & Ontario.

• Years SSW 1st found in these states or province: 1978 New York; Michigan 1983; Indiana 2008; Pennsylvania 2009; Ontario 2013; Wisconsin 2014; Vermont 2015; Minnesota 2015; Ohio 2017.

• SSW is not a problematic invasive in locations outside the St. Lawrence Seaway, Michigan, New York, & Indiana (Hackett et al 2014).

• Although SSW has established invasive populations in lakes in the above locations, little data have been published regarding ideal environmental conditions or nutrient levels that promote invasive SSW growth in lake ecosystems (Brown 2014). Most of what is known comes from observations (Hackett et al 2014).

(Source: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, Florida. URL:nas.er.usgs.gov.). Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region

• Although Brown (2015) does list the basic physiological needs of SSW which are identified in existing scientific literature as follows:

• Minimum Secchi disk water transparency of ≥ 3 ft. • Water temperatures ranging from 39° - 75°F. • Moderate levels of inorganic phosphorus • Aquatic plant dominated, stable state freshwater ecosystems • Hard water lakes possessing pH levels of ≥ 8 • The presence of marl formations (which provide a supply of CaCO3) • ≥ 25 mg/L CaCO3 levels

Source: Brown, Scott. 2015. The Michigan Riparian V. 50(3): 27-30; 33. Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Michigan: 1st found in 1983 at Lake St. Clair, along the Saint Clair & Detroit Rivers (Schloesser et al 1986). Source: Online photo www.riverlorian.com Distribution (Michigan) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) • SSW now occurs at lakes in all Lower Peninsula Nitellopsis obtusa basins of Michigan.

• SSW has infested over 200 MI inland lakes by spring 2014 (Brown 2015), & has established invasive populations in over a 100 MI inland lakes (Hackett et al 2014). (32/83 counties = 38.6%) Oakland 47/358= 13%

• SSW also found in 2007 at Millecoquins Lake in Online photo www.Michigan.gov. Mackinac County of the (Hackett et al 2014). Green dots show Upper Peninsula of reported presence of SSW on the Michigan (Pullman & Midwest Invasive Species Information Crawford 2010). Network (MISIN). Distribution (Indiana) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Indiana: Initially discovered in 2008 in Lake Wawasee (Edgell 2011; Aquatic Weed Control 2015).

SSW occurred in 8 lakes in northeastern Indiana as of 2014 (Edgell 2011; Pearson 2015).

SSW occurred in 16 lakes in northeastern Indiana as of 2016

SSW occurred in 24 lakes in northeastern Indiana as of 2018 Indiana Distribution (USGS Data) & Information from Aquatic Weed Control STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Indiana: Currently SSW is in 24 lakes in northern Indiana as of 2018: Kosciusko Center Lake+ 2018 Kosciusko Lake Wawasee, Syracuse 2008 Established* Kosciusko Syracuse Lake, Syracuse 2011 Established Kosciusko Tippecanoe Lake, Oswego 2013 Established Kosciusko Webster Lake, North Webster 2015 Established Kosciusko Chapman Lake, Warsaw*** 2017 Steuben Barton Lake+ 2018 Steuben Crooked Lake, Angola 2011 Established*

* Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. ** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-19-2016. *** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-25-2017. + Source: IN DNR LARE Meeting, 9-25-2018 Indiana Distribution (USGS Data) & Information from Aquatic Weed Control STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Indiana: Currently SSW is in 24 lakes in northern Indiana as of 2018: Steuben Jimmerson Lake, Angola 2012 Established Steuben Lake George at Ind/MI border 2009 Established Steuben Lake Pleasant** 2015 Established Steuben Lake James(lower basin near Glen Eden Channel) 2016 Established Steuben Snow Lake*** 2016 Steuben Big Otter**** 2017 Steuben Round Lake+ 2018 Steuben West Otter Lake+ 2018 * Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. **Just behind boat launch in end of channel by the marina. *** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-19-2016. **** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-25-2017 + Source: IN DNR LARE Meeting, 9-25-2018 Indiana Distribution (USGS Data) & Information from Aquatic Weed Control STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Indiana: Currently SSW is in 24 lakes in northern Indiana as of 2018: Elkhart Hunter Lake** 2016 Elkhart Simonton Lake** 2016 Elkhart Heaton Lake+ 2018 Elkhart St. Joseph River+ 2018 LaGrange Adams Lake, Wolcottville 2014 Established LaGrange Wall Lake near town of Orland 2010 Established LaGrange Cass Lake (near Middlebury, IN)** 2016 LaPorte Hudson Lake** 2016

* Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. ** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-19-2016. *** Source: Aquatic Weed Control, 9-25-2017 + Source: IN DNR LARE Meeting, 9-25-2018 Indiana Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Indiana: Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. Twenty-four occurrences of SSW in 2018 as follows:

Steuben County: SSW in 10 lakes

LaGrange County: SSW in 3 lakes

Elkhart County: SSW in 4 lakes

Kosciusko County: SSW in 6 lakes

LaPorte County: SSW in 1 lake Indiana County Map STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Distribution Minnesota: Now 17 known occurrences (MN DNR 2015 & 2018;2017;2018 USDI, USGS Nonindigeous Aquatic Species Database).

Pope County Lake Minnewaska marina 2017 Established*

Stearns County Grand Lake public boat access 2017 Established Stearns County Lake Koronis 2015 Established Stearns County Rice 2016 Established Stearns County Mud Lake 2015 Established

Meeker County Lake Koronis public boat dock 2015 Established Beltrami County Turtle Lake 2015 Established Beltrami County Upper Red Lake 2016 Established Beltrami County Cass Lake 2016 Established Beltrami County Moose Lake 2016 Established Beltrami County Wolf Lake 2018 Established *Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. SSW first discovered in Minnesota in Lake Koronis. NOTE: The Minn. DNR states that SSW is typically spread by lake users who transport fragments from 1 water body to another (St. Cloud Times). See www.mndnr.gov/ais. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW), Nitellopsis obtusa Distribution

Minnesota: Now 17 known occurrences (MN DNR 2015 & 2018;2017;2018 USDI, USGS Nonindigeous Aquatic Species Database).

Cass County Lake Winnibigodhish 2016 Established Itasca County Lake Winnibigodhish 2016 Established Wright County West Lake Sylvia 2016 Established Wright County Pleasant Lake 2018 Established Hennepin County Medicine Lake 2018 Established Hubbard County Wolf Lake 2018 Established

*Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. SSW first discovered in Minnesota in Lake Koronis. NOTE: The Minn. DNR states that SSW is typically spread by lake users who transport fragments from 1 water body to another (St. Cloud Times). See www.mndnr.gov/ais. Distribution (Minnesota) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Minnesota: Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. 17 occurrences of SSW in 9 counties as of 2018 as follows (1st found in 2015): Pope County – SSW in 1 lake (2017) Stearns County- SSW in 4 lakes (2015,2017) Meeker County – SSW in 1 lake (2015) Beltrami County – SSW in 5 lakes (2016; 18) Cass County – SSW in 1 lake (2016) Ithasca County – SSW in 1 lake (2016) Wright County – SSW in2lakes(Pleasant-18) Hubbard County – SSW in 1 lake (Wolf)2018 Hennepin County – SSW in 1 lake (Medicine)2018 Distribution (New York) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

New York:

• First spotted in North America in 1978 along the St. Lawrence River (Geis et al. 1981; Mills et al. 1993).

• Found in 1981 at Lake Ontario (iMapInvasives 2015). Distribution (New York) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

New York: As of 2015, SSW found in 17 counties at 31 sites, including 16 inland lakes, 7 sites in the St. Lawrence River, & 8 sites in Lake Ontario. As of 2017, SSW found in 19 counties . Total 62 counties in NY (Sleith et al Online photo: blogs.nybg.org. Robin Sleith algae sample sites of 400 lakes in New York State in 2014 for SSW & 2015). (17/62=27.4%) other green algae. SSW not found within boundaries of Adirondack Park (Sleith et al 2015). Distribution (Pennsylvania) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Pennsylvania: Two occurrences (Jim Grazio, PA DEPT., personal communication 2015; 2016 USDI, USGS Nonindigeous Aquatic Species Database; & Sea Grant Pennsylvania).

Erie County Presque Isle Bay 2009 Seen Established*

Erie County Presque Isle Bay 2012 Confirmed Established

Butler County Lake Arthur 2016** * Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. **Source: Starry Stonewort Nitellopsis obtusa, Sea Grant Pennsylvania. www.seagrant.psu.edu Distribution (Pennsylvania) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Pennsylvania: Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. Two occurrences of SSW in 2016:

Erie County – 1 Lake

Butler County – 1 Lake County Map of State of Pennsylvania Distribution (Vermont) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Vermont: Three occurrences (FLOW 2015; 2016 USDI, USGS Nonindigeous Aquatic Species Database).

Orleans County Memphremagog Lake 2015 Established*

Orleans County Memphremagog Lake 2015 Established (Small cove in SE portion) Orleans County Lake Derby, public boat access 2016 Established

* Established means population is reproducing & overwintering. Distribution (Vermont) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range of SSW in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Vermont: Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. 1st found in 2015. Two SSW occurrences :

Orleans County – 2 Lakes

County Map of State of Vermont Distribution (Wisconsin) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Wisconsin:17 occurrences of SSW in last 3 years (WI DNR 2014 & 2015; 2016 USDI, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database).

Waukesha Little Muskego Lake 2014 Established Waukesha Big Muskego Lake, near boxhorn Dr. 2015 Established Waukesha Bass Bay Lake 2015 Established Waukesha Muskego Creek 2015 Established Washington Pike Lake at Lake Drive boat landing 2015 Established Washington Silver Lake 2015 Established Washington Green Lake, South Public Boat Launch 2016 Established Racine Long Lake, boat landing 2015 Established STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Distribution (Wisconsin) Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Wisconsin:17 occurrences of SSW in last 3 years (WI DNR 2014 & 2015; 2016 USDI,USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database).

Door Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Lake Michigan 2016 Established Door Little Sturgeon Bay, Lake Michigan near Henderson Point 2016 Established Door Fish Creek, Green Bay, Lake Michigan near public boat ramp 2016 Established Door Channel around Hi-Cliff Park, W. of Idlewild 2016 Established Door Rowley Bay, Lake Michigan, near public boat ramp 2016 Established Door Potawtomi State Park, Sawyer Harbor, Sturgeon Bay 2016 Established Door Sawyer Harbor, North Shore, Sturgeon Bay 2016 Established Door Ellison Bay, Green Bay, near public boat ramp 2016 Established Door Sister Bay, Green Bay, near public boat ramp 2016 Established

Source: Lee Bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, August 31, 2016. Starry stonewort found in Sturgeon Bay. The State Department of Natural Resources says SSW, a fast-growing invasive aquatic plant, has been found for the first time in Lake Michigan. (www.jsonline.com.) Distribution STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes

Wisconsin: Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. Seventeen occurrences of SSW in lakes as of 2016:

Waukesha County- SSW in 4 lakes

Washington County – SSW in 3 lakes

Racine County – SSW in 1 lake

Door County – SSW in 9 lakes (9/25=36%)

County Map of Wisconsin Distribution (Ohio) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Ohio:1 occurrence of SSW in 2017.

Erie Cedar Point, Lake Erie 2017 Established

Source: 2017 USDI, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Distribution (Ohio

Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes Ohio: 1 occurrence of SSW in 2017; (2017 USDI, USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database).

Erie, Cedar Point, Lake Erie, 2017 Established

*Presence of SSW in a county indicated by a blue circle. Distribution (Ontario) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa

Present Range in the Great Lakes Region includes:

Ontario: Presqu’ile Bay, north shore of Lake Ontario near the town of Brighton, Ontario, Canada, 2013, and is established.

(Source: U. S. Dept. of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, Florida. URL:nas.er.usgs.gov.). This website actually lists collection information for SSW sites in the Great Lakes Region. See page 54. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa USDI, USGS 2017 SSW Distribution From Animated Map of NAS Data Ecological Impacts of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW reduces the diversity of plants.

• It is a highly aggressive aquatic lower plant that is able to out- compete all other Michigan aquatic plant species, including all invasive species & current alien species (Hackett et al 2014).

• Meadows of SSW can form dense benthic barriers of vegetation of up to 8 ft thick that completely cover the lake bottom & alter or prevent the growth of an array of native submerged aquatic plants (Brown, 2015;USDI, USGS. 2016). Lake Wawasee Historical Tier II Data No. of Native Plant Species 2005-2017 18 18 1 16 16 15 15 14 14 14 14 14 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Number of Native Plant Species Plant Native of Number 0 0 8/10/2005 8/12/2009 9/8/2011 8/22/2012 8/16/2013 8/26/2014 8/26/2015 8/22/2016 8-29-2017 Sample Dates Syracuse Lake Historical Tier 11 Data Number Native Plant Species 2017 16 16 16 15 14 14 14 14 13 12 12 12 10 10 10

2 Number of Native Plant Sp Plant Native of Number 0 8/19/2004 8/5/2005 8/9/2006 8/12/2009 8/25/2011 8/16/2012 8/9/2013 8/15/2014 7/20/2015 8/4/2016 8/23/2017 Sample Dates LAKE WAWASEE HISTORICAL TIER 11 DATA NATIVE SPECIES DIVERSITY 2005 - 2017

1.0 0.88 0.90.86 0.87 0.85 0.83 0.84 0.82 0.84 0.84 0.8

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2 Percent Native Species Diversit Species Native Percent 0.1 8/10/2005 8/12/2009 9/8/2011 8/22/2012 8/16/2013 8/26/2014 8/26/2015 8/22/2016 8/29/2017 Sample Dates SYRACUSE LAKE HISTORICAL TIER 11 DATA NATIVE SPECIES DIVERSITY 2004-2017

0.9 0.88 0.84 0.85 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.83 0.82 0.82 0.8 0.80.76 0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

Percent Native Species Diversity 0.1

0.0 8/19/2004 8/5/2005 8/9/2006 8/12/2009 8/25/2011 8/16/2012 8/9/2013 8/15/2014 7/20/2015 8/4/2016 8/23/2017

Sample Dates Lake Wawasee Historical Tier II Data Sites With Native Plant spp. 2005-2017

400 1

320 300

200

121 113 116 106 106 117 114 100 71 Number of Native Plant Species Plant Native of Number 0 0 8/10/2005 8/12/2009 9/8/2011 8/22/2012 8/16/2013 8/26/2014 8/26/2015 8/22/2016 8-29-2017 Sample Dates SYRACUSE LAKE HISTORICAL TIER 11 DATA NO. SITES WITH NATIVE PLANTS 2005-2017

100 89 92 82 85 83 79 77 80 73 74 63 60

20 NO. SITES/ NATIVE PLANT NATIVE SITES/ NO. 0 8/19/2004 8/5/2005 8/9/2006 8/12/2009 8/25/2011 8/16/2012 8/9/2013 8/15/2014 7/20/2015 8/4/2016 8/23/2017

SAMPLE DATES Ecological Impacts of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • SSW mats also have been observed to negatively affect fish reproduction behavior by compromising nesting & feeding habitat (Hackett et al 2014).

• Dense mats of SSW directly impact the habitat used by native fish for spawning & for coarse woody habitat that provide optimal growth conditions & refuse for hatchings & juveniles of important fish species (Schultz & Dibble, 2012).

• Bass and sunfish are known to regularly spawn in dense growth of native Chara sp., but these spawning behaviors did not occur in correspondingly dense growths of SSW (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Ecological Impacts of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • In Charophyte meadows, SSW utilizes & precipitates CaCO3 causing immobilization of phosphorus, inhibiting primary production (Kufel, L., & I. Kufel. 2002).

• Kufel, L., & I. Kufel (2002) determined a minimum CaCO3 concentration of 25 mg/L is required for the establishment of SSW. • SSW increased water clarity by minimizing re-suspension of particulate matter (Kufel, L., & I. Kufel. 2002). • SSW can become a navigational nuisance in shallow waters. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants

• Preventing the establishment of SSW .

• In Indiana, Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) is 1 of 30 prohibited aquatic plant species that (1) may neither be sold, offered for sale, gifted, bartered, exchanged, distributed or transported as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 rule (prohibited invasive plant species). (2) may not be transported on or within any boat, trailer, motor vehicle, bait bucket, fishing gear, creel, tackle, tackle box, or other means. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants The prohibited plant species included as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 are as follows: (1) Azolla pinnata (mosquito fern) (2) Butomus umbellatus (flowering rush) (3) Caulerpa taxifolia (caulerpa or Mediterranean killer algae) (4) Egeria densa (Brazilan waterweed, Anacharis, or Egeria) (5) Eichhornia azurea (anchored water hyacinth) (6) Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrilla or water thyme) (7) Hydrocharis morsus-ranae (European or common frogbit) (8) Hygrophilia polysperma (Miramar weed, Indian swampweed, or hygro Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants

• The plant species included as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 are as follows: (09) Ipomoea aquatic (Chinese waterspinach or swamp morning- glory) (10) Iris pseudacorus (yellow flag iris or tall yellow iris) (11) Lagarosiphon major (oxygen weed or African elodea) (12) Limnophila sessiliflora (Asian marshweed or ambulia) (13) Monochoria hastate (monochoria, arrowleaf, or false pickerelweed) (14) Monochoria vaginalis (heartshape or false pickerelweed) Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants

• The plant species included as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 are as follows: (15) Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot feather or parrot feather watermilfoil) (16) Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoi) (17) Najas minor (brittle naiad or brittle water nymph) (18) Nitellopsis obtusa (starry stonewort) (19) Nymphoides peltata (yellow floating heart) (20) Ottelia alismoides (duck lettuce) (21) Potamogeton crisus (curlyleaf pondweed) Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants

• The plant species included as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 are as follows: (22) Sagittaria sagittifolia (arrowhead) (23) Salvinia auriculata (giant salvinia) (24) Salvinia biloba (giant salvinia) (25) Salvinia herzogii (giant salvinia) (26) Salvinia molesta (giant salvinia) (27) Sparganium erectum (exotic bur-reed) (28) Stratiotes aloides (water soldier) Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prohibited Invasive Aquatic Plants

• The plant species included as per 312 IAC 18-3-23 are as follows: (29) Trapa natans (water chestnut) (30) Typha angustifolia (narrow-leaf cattail) • Section 23 applies to any part or life stage of the 30 species identified above.

• Exempted from this rule is (1) a person who possesses this species under a permit issued by the state entomologist, or (2) a person engaged in a project approved by the state entomologist for the destruction of a species. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention

• Preventing the establishment of SSW is preferable to post- establishment management (Hackett et al 2014).

• In Michigan, SSW is 1 of 13 plant species that may neither be sold nor grown in the state under the Natural Resources & Environment Protection Act 451 of 1994; includes plants, fragments, seeds, or a hybrid or genetically engineered variant thereof (MI Dept. of Agriculture & Rural Develop., Prohibited & Restricted Weeds; Hackett et al 2014). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention

• Prohibited & restricted species as defined in the Natural Resources & Envirmental Protection Act 451 of 1994, Section 324.41301 of Michigan:

• In Michigan, 13 aquatic plant species that may neither be sold nor grown in the state under the Natural Resources & Environment Protection Act 451 of 1994. Any of the following prohibited aquatic plant species including a hybrid engineered variant of a species or a fragment including a seed or other propagule, of a species or of a hybrid or genetically engineered variant: • (1) African oxygen weed Lagarosiphon major Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT -Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention • In Michigan, the 13 aquatic plant species that may neither be sold nor grown in the state under the Natural Resources & Environment Protection Act 451 of 1994. Any of the following prohibited aquatic plant species including a hybrid engineered variant of a species • (2) Brazilian eloda Egeria major • (3) Cylindro Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii • (4) European frogbit Hydrocharis morsus-ranae • (5) Fanwort Cabomba caroliniana • (6) Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum • (7) Giant salvinia Salvinia molesta, auriculata, biloba, or herzogii Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention • In Michigan, the 13 aquatic plant species that may neither be sold nor grown in the state under the Natural Resources & Environment Protection Act 451 of 1994 includes: • (8) Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata • (9) Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica • (10) Parrots feather Myriophyllum aquaticum • (11) Starry stonewort Nitellopsis obtusa • (12) Water chestnut Trapa natans • (13) Yellow floating heart Nymphoides peltata Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention, the best strategy • Some actions that may prevent & limit the dispersal of SSW include: • providing boat washing stations for high-traffic public lake accesses to clean watercraft, trailers & other equipment of plants, mud, & other debris before moving them from one body of water to another.

• developing & sustaining a water recreation vehicle & trailer inspection program (Hackett et al 2014). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa • Prevention

• If boat washing stations & inspection programs are not available, other actions individuals can take when leaving a lake or river that may prevent or limit the dispersal of aquatic invasive spp. (www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasive/ais/infested.html) include:

• Clean all aquatic plants, zebra mussels, & other invasive species from boats, trailers, & water-related equipment (includes fishing gear).

• Drain water from your boat, ballast tanks, motor, live well & bait container. Remove drain plugs & keep drain plugs out while transporting equipment.

• Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash. To keep live bait, drain the water & refill the bait container with bottled water or tap water. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa

• Biological

• There are no known biological controls for SSW (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa Mechanical: Mechanical harvesting of SSW is difficult because

(1) Dense growth quickly fills harvesters.

(2) Recolonization is fast if adjacent population remain (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Source: www.mlive.com. LEONI, MI.(Jackson (3) Might produce SSW County). In an effect to cut down on the use of fragments that could be chemicals in Center Lake, the Clearwater Lake important in the spread of Assoc. began using a different method for clearing the algae. aquatic plants. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa Other Management (Physical): • Hand pulling & diver assisted suction harvest (DASH) could be employed in small new infestations if found early (spot treatment). Divers hand-pull plants & feed them into a big suction hose. • At Little Muskego Lake in Wisconsin, diver assisted suction harvesting continues to remove invasive SSW from key areas of this lake. See http://dnr.wi.gov/news/releases/article/?id=3700. • In a new infestation at Turtle Lake, North of Bemidji, MN, vacuum was used by DNR to suck up water & sediment carrying SSW fragments that were then caught in mesh in a large bag while water flows back into the lake. • Source: www.grandforksherald.com/news/4104165-dnr. - MDNR begins operation to suck out SSW infestation on Turtle Lake. Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT Nitellopsis obtusa Other Management (Physical):

• Techniques such as drawdown of water level or shading may limit SSW growth, but have yet to be examined (Hackett et al 2014).

• Stonewort grows rapidly & is very difficult to eradicate. In fact, Minnesota DNR say it has never been eradicated from a lake in the U. S. (www.mprnews.org., August 31, 2016). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT, Nitellopsis obtusa

• Management – Chemical • SSW is highly sensitive to copper & endothall chemical treatments, but no treatments have been developed for complete lake eradication (Hackett et al 2014).

• SSW is difficult to kill with herbicides because it does not have a vascular system that can carry the herbicide to all cells of the entire alga.

• Application rates recommended for Chara control on U.S. EPA approved pesticide labels appear to be sufficient to control low growing SSW (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT, Nitellopsis obtusa

• Management – Chemical

• SSW density is important for chemical control. If SSW is growing in a dense mat, only the top layer will dieback with a standard treatment.

• Chemical treatments mixed with chelating agents may be used to treat deeper into the mats (Pullman & Crawford 2010). Management of SSW STARRY STONEWORT, Nitellopsis obtusa • Management – Chemical

• More research may be needed to find better methods to manage SSW. Eradication is not a realistic goal at this time.

• Research is ongoing at Clemson University on the management of freshwater algae like SSW (G. Douglas Pullman, Aquest Corp., personal communication) (Hackett et al 2014). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Research, SSW RESEARCH: Dr. Nate Bosch, Director of the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, Grace College, Warsaw, IN presented a program on current threats & strategic effects of aquatic plant species in Syracuse Lake. The Center’s program includes SSW application research & a blue-green algae study (blue-green algae account for 81% of algae on the lake right now).

Dr. Bosch presented a current map which showed 210 acres of SSW in Source: Online photo www.wawaseepoa.org. Syracuse Lake. Current research to Dr. Nate Bosch giving a presentation at the develop means to control the spread of Annual Meeting of the Syracuse Lake Assoc. SSW was noted. on 08-06-2016. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2008- SSW was first observed in summer 2008 on Lake Wawasee in the channels west side of Johnson Bay.

• 2009- (August)- Treatment of 15 acres in Johnson’s Bay using Nautique herbicide for control of SSW.

• 2010- Treatment of 20 acres in Johnson’s Bay using Nautique herbicide at 0.8 ppm copper (=2.4 gal/acre ft) for control of SSW. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History/Management Efforts Lake Wawasee

• NAUTIQUE is an aquatic herbicide. The active ingredients are:

• Copper Ethylenediamine Complex (Case# 13426-91-0) at 13.2%

• Copper Triethanolamine Complex (Case# 82027-59-6) at 14.9%

• Other Ingredients at 71.9%.

• Metallic copper equivalent equals 9.1%.

• Signal word is danger. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2011- Three small test areas in Johnson’s Bay were treated with varying rates & formulations of Cutrine-Ultra & Hydrothol herbicides. It was determined from these tests that using Cutrine-Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre-foot (0.8 ppm copper) in combination with Hydrothol 191 at the rate of 1 quart per surface acre was the most effective treatment. Refer to as standard trt from here on.

• On September 16, 2011, 4 areas in Johnson’s Bay were treated with this new herbicide prescription. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History/Management Efforts Lake Wawasee CUTRINE-ULTRA is a algaecide/herbicide/cyanobactericide. The active ingredients are:

• Copper Ethanolamine Complex, Mixed at 27.8% • (Monos Ca # 14215-52-2 & Tri CAS# 82027-59-60) • Contains 0.9 lb. of elemental copper per gallon. Metallic copper equivalent, 9%.

• Other Ingredients at 72.2%.

• Signal word is danger. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History/Management Efforts Lake Wawasee

• HYDROTHOL 191 liquid is an aquatic algicide & herbicide. The active ingredients are:

• Mono(N,N-dimethylalkylamine) salt of endothall at 53.0%.

• Other Ingredients at 47.0%.

• Contains 2 lbs. endothall acid / gal. Signal word is danger.

• Generally rates of 0.05 to 0.3 ppm (0.6 pint–0.4 gal) per one-acre foot are effective for control of algae. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2014- On 7-(9 & 11)-2014, Aquatic Weed Control treated 113.4 acres of Lake Wawasee SSW with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre-foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

• 2014 - On 8-(5 & 6)-2014, repeated treatments at Lake Wawasee using same herbicides & rates.

• Areas 9,11, nw area sec.12,14,21,27,28,29 on Lake Wawasee were not treated. • These treatments funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). LAKE WAWASEE SUMMER 2014 SSW DISTRIBUTION

SSW acreage on 08-29-2014 estimated at 198.86 acres. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2015- In spring 2015 there was a total of 223.73 acres of SSW in Lake Wawasee along with many new open water sites. This figure represents an increase of 24.87 acres since 2014. See map.

• This acreage also represents 7.31% of the total lake acreage (3060 acres).

• Some 108.6 acres were treated. LAKE WAWASEE SPRING 2015 SSW DISTRIBUTION

• Total SSW surface acres on 06-12-2015 estimated at 223.73 acres.

• Areas shaded in blue treated in 2014. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2016 - On 6-13-2016, there was a total of 233.99 acres of SSW in Lake Wawasee, which represents 7.65 % of the total lake acreage of 3060 acres. See following map.

• 2016- On 7-11-2016, 100.7 acres were treated (first treatment).

• 2016 - On 8-31-2016, 48.0 acres were treated (second treatment).

• All SSW treatments in 2016 were funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). LAKE WAWASEE SPRING 2016 SSW DISTRIBUTION

• Total SSW acreage on 6-13-2016 was 233.99 acres along with many new open water sites.

• Spring 2016 tier II SSW survey sites shown as numbered green dots.

• Recent treatment areas shown in blue. Treated on 7-11-2016. LAKE WAWASEE SUMMER 2016 SSW DISTRIBUTION

• Total SSW acreage on 8-22-2016 was 238.9 acres along with many new open water sites. (This acreage is about the size of 181 football fields).

• Summer 2016 Tier II SSW survey sites shown as numbered green dots.

• Recent treatment areas shown in blue; all other SSW beds shown in green. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2017- On 7-(13 & 18)-2017, Aquatic Weed Control treated 129.9 acres of Lake Wawasee SSW with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre-foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide. See following map.

• 2017 - On 8-(30 & 31)-2017, AWC treated 78.31 acres at Lake Wawasee using same herbicides & rates. These 78.31 acres included areas 1-3, 15-20, 22-26, 30, 31 & 34 of the original areas treated in July.

• These treatments funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Lake Wawasee 2017 SSW Treatment One on 7-(13 & 18)-2017.

Aquatic Weed Control treated 129 acres of Lake Wawasee SSW with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre-foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

All treatment areas are shaded in blue.

Summer 2017 Tier II SSW collections shown as green dots. Lake Wawasee 2017 AWC SSW Treatment two on 8-(30&31)-2017 treated 78.31 acres & included areas 1-3, 15-20, 22-26, 30,31 & 34.

• Total SSW acreage on 8-29-2017 was 239.29 acres along with many new open water sites. This acreage is up by only 0.37 acres from 2016.

• Summer 2017 Tier II SSW survey sites shown as green dots.

• Recent SSW treatment areas shown in blue; all other SSW beds shown in green. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee • 2018 - The treatment of SSW should be the highest management priority for Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake in 2018. SSW treatments help to reduce biomass, although control is not usually complete, and multiple applications must be made to the same area each year to keep it in check. At present, herbicide options for the control of SSW are very limited.

• Cutrine Ultra applied at the rate of 2.4 gallons per acre-foot in combination with Hydrothol 191 herbicide at varying rates is currently being used to provide temporary, selective control of SSW. Lake Wawasee 2018 SSW Treatment One on 6-26-2018.

Aquatic Weed Control treated 129.9 acres of Lake Wawasee SSW with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre-foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

All treatment areas are shaded in blue.

Summer 2018 Tier II SSW collections shown as green dots. Lake Wawasee 2018 SSW Treatment Two on 8-15-2018.

Aquatic Weed Control treated 72.69 acres of Lake Wawasee SSW with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre-foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

These 72.69 acres were a portion of the original acres treated in July. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Lake Wawasee

• 2018- All SSW in 2018 were funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI).

• In 2018, over $63,000 were directed towards controlling SSW in Lake Wawasee. LAKE WAWASEE SSW 2005-2017 OCCUR. SSW 0-25 FT LAKE DEPTHS

70 All Depths = Red 0 to 5 ft = Green 60 5 to 10 ft = Purple 10 to 15 ft = Yellow 15 to 20 ft = Blue 50 20 to 25 ft = Pink

20 SSW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE OF FREQUENCY SSW 10

0 8/10/2005 8-12-2009 9-8-2011 8-22-2012 8-16-2013 8-26-2014 8-26-2015 8-22-2016 8-29-2017 SAMPLE DATES LAKE WAWASEE SSW SURFACE ACRES WITH SSW

250 238.9 239.29 223.73 198.86 200 180.7 159 150

100

56 50 15 20 NUMBER OF SURFACE ACRES WITH SS 0 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

YEAR LAKE WAWASEE SSW PERCENT OF 3060 LAKE ACREAGE 8 7.81 7.82 7.54

7 6.55

6 5.91 5.2 5

2 1.83 PERCENT OF TOTAL LAKE ACREAGE

1 0.49 0.65 0 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 YEAR LAKE WAWASEE SSW SURFACE ACRES WITH SSW & ACRES TREATED

250

200

150

100

0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

NUMBER OF SSW SURFACE ACRES YEAR

SSW SURFACE ACRES SSW ACRES TREATED STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2011- SSW was first discovered in Syracuse Lake in the 4.5 acre access channel adjacent to Syracuse Henry Ward Park.

• 2011- IDNR received grant through Great Lake Restoration Initiative for control of exotic aquatic plant species.

• Since 2011, the IDNR has fully funded numerous SSW treatments on both Lake Wawasee & Syracuse Lake.

• These treatments have used a combination of Cutrine Ultra herbicide at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot with Hydrothol 191 herbicide at various rates to control SSW. SYRACUSE LAKE SPRING 2014 SSW DISTRIBUTION.

Total SSW surface acres on 6-4-2014 estimated at 48.22 acres. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2014 - On 7-10-2014, Aquatic Weed Control treated 17.49 acres of Syracuse Lake with Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

• 2014 - On 8-5-2014, repeated treatments at Syracuse Lake using same herbicides & rates.

• These treatments funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2015 - There was a total of 48.22 acres of SSW in Syracuse Lake.

• SSW also was common to most of the littoral zone of the lake.

• This acreage represents 11.65% of total lake acreage of 414 acres. SYRACUSE LAKE SPRING 2015 SSW LOCATIONS Estimated 48.22 acres of SSW.

Blue areas treated in 2014.

Green area 7 a new area for 2015.

Tier II SSW survey locations shown as labeled green dots. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2015- On 7-1-2015, a total of 17.98 acres of SSW infestation in Syracuse Lake was treated with Cutrine-Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with Hydrothol herbicide.

• 2015- On 8-4-2015, a total of 8.58 acres of SSW infestation in Syracuse Lake was treated with Cutrine-Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with Hydrothol herbicide.

• This treatment comprised of areas 1,5,& 7 on the Syracuse Lake 2015 SSW treatment map.

• All SSW treatments in 2015 were funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2016- On June 08, there was an estimated total of 210.07 acres of SSW in Syracuse Lake. This amount represents 50.74 % of the total lake acreage of 414 acres. See following map.

• On July 11, 2016, three areas totaling 8.51 acres were treated with Cutrine-Ultra at a rate of 2.4 gallons/acre foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide. See map.

• On August 31, 2016, the same three areas of SSW infestation were treated with the same above materials at the same rates. See map.

• All SSW treatments in 2016 were funded through the Great Lakes Restoration initiative (GLRI). SYRACUSE LAKE SPRING 2016 SSW DISTRIBUTION

• SWW acreage estimated at 210.07 acres as of 6-8-16.

• Tier II SSW survey locations shown as labeled green dots.

• Past treatment areas shown in blue. SYRACUSE LAKE SUMMER 2016 SSW DISTRIBUTION • SSW acreage estimated at 219.10 acres as of 8-4-2016

• Tier II SSW survey locations shown as labeled green dots. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa History & Management Efforts Syracuse Lake • 2017- On 7-17-2017, a total of three areas containing 8.51 acres of SSW infestation in Syracuse Lake was treated with Cutrine-Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with Hydrothol herbicide.

• 2017- On 8-28-2017, the same three areas of SSW infestation in Syracuse Lake were treated with Cutrine-Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with Hydrothol herbicide.

• All SSW treatments since 2011 were funded through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). 2017 Syracuse Lake SSW Treatment Areas

• On 7-17-2017, a total of three areas containing 8.51 acres of SSW infestation in Syracuse Lake was treated with Cutrine- Ultra at the rate of 2.4 gal per acre foot in combination with Hydrothol herbicide.

• Treated areas are shown in blue. SYRACUSE LAKE SUMMER 2017 SSW DISTRIBUTION

• SSW acreage increased from 219 acres in 2016 to an estimated 231.26 acres in 2017

• Tier II SSW survey locations shown as labeled green dots. Syracuse Lake 2018 SSW Treatment One on 6-25-2018.

Three areas totaling 8.51 acres were treated Cutrine-Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre- foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

These SSW treatment areas are shown on the attached treatment map. Syracuse Lake 2018 SSW Treatment Two on 8-10-2018.

The same three areas of SSW infestation were treated with Cutrine- Ultra at 2.4 gal per acre- foot in combination with hydrothol herbicide.

All SSW trts in 2018 were funded through the GLRI. Over $5,700 of GLRI were directed toward SSW control in Syracuse Lake in 2018. SYRACUSE LAKE SSW 2017 OCCURRENCE OF SSW AT 0-20 FT LAKE DEPTH

100 All Depths = Red 90 0 to 5 ft = Green 5 to 10 ft = Purple 80 10 to 15 ft = Yellow 70 15 to 20 ft = Blue

10 SSW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE 0 8/19/2004 8/5/2005 8/9/2006 8/12/2009 8/25/2011 8/16/2012 8/9/2013 8/15/2014 7/20/2015 8/4/2016 8/23/2017 SAMPLE DATES SYRACUSE LAKE SSW SURFACE ACRES WITH SSW 250 231.26 219.1

200

150

100 NUMBER OF SURFACENUMBER ACRES

50 48.22 48.22

13.21 4.5 7.5 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 YEAR SYRACUSE LAKE SSW PERCENT OF 414 SURFACE LAKE ACREAGE 60 55.86 52.9 50

20 PERCENT OF TOTAL LAKE ACREAGE LAKE TOTAL OF PERCENT 11.65 11.65 10

3.19 1.09 1.81 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 YEAR SYRACUSE LAKE SSW SURFACE ACRES WITH SSW & ACRES TREATED

250

200

150

100

50 NUMBER OF SSW SURFACE ACRES SURFACE NUMBER SSW OF

0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 YEAR SSW SURFACE ACRES SSW ACRES TREATED STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee 2016 SSW Test Plots

• In addition to the regular SSW treatments, there were herbicide trials to evaluate the effectiveness of several different herbicides on SSW by Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams, Warsaw, IN.

• There were 16 different test plots chosen with most being around 1 surface acre. Plots were located between Conklin Bay, Griffith’s Marina, Johnson Bay, & four different channels around Lake Wawasee.

• Each plot was treated 2 times in 2016, namely June 27 and August 1. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee 2016 SSW Test Plots

• Test plot data are shown on the following map & table. • Herbicides used include Cutrine-Ultra, Hydrothol, Clearigate, Clipper, & Algimycin in the following treatments: • Treatment 1- Cleargate • Treatment 2 - A combination of Algimycin & Clipper • Treatment 3 - A combination of Cutrine Ultra & Hydrothol • Treatment 4 – Control plots did not get any type of treatment

Source: Becker, S. D., and N. S. Bosch. 2016. A study of potential treatments for effective management of Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Lake Wawasee, Indiana. 26p. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee 2016 SSW Test Plots

2016 LAKE WAWASEE SSW HERBICIDE TEST PLOT DATA

Information on latitude & longitude of plots, & plot divisions not shown. 2016 LAKE WAWASEE SSW HERBICIDE TEST PLOTS

• Herbicides used in 12 test plots are shown on this map.

• There were 4 control plots.

• Treatments were made on June 27 & August 1, 2016. Map of Lake Wawasee showing plots 0-3 in Conklin Bay as well as the channel plots 15-18. Treatment types & their amounts are shown.

Source: Becker, S. D., and N. S. Bosch. 2016. A study of potential treatments for effective management of Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Lake Wawasee, Indiana. 26p. Map of Lake Wawasee showing plots 6 & 7 near Griffith’s Marina. Treatment types & their amounts are shown.

Source: Becker, S. D., and N. S. Bosch. 2016. A study of potential treatments for effective management of Starry Stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Lake Wawasee, Indiana. 26p. Map of Lake Wawasee showing plots 8-13 in Johnson Bay. Treatment types & their amounts are shown.

• CLEARIGATE, an aquatic herbicide, is a chelated copper formulation containing an emulsified surfactant/penetrant for highly effective control of coarse (thick call-walled) filamentous algae, muscilaginous (colonial) planktonic algae. The active ingredients are:

• Copper as elemental………………………………………………3.825%

• Inert Ingredients……………………..……………………….….96.175% STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee SSW Test Plots

• ALGIMYCIN-PWF is a liquid water soluble algaecide/cyanobacteriocide that controls a broad range of algae & cyanobacteria growth in potable water reservoirs, ponds, lakes, irrigation conveyance systems, ditches, canals, & laterals.

• The active ingredients are: • Chelates of copper gluconate (Cas # 527-09-3)….………12.5% • Chelates of copper citrate (Cas #10402-15-00)…………..12.9% • Inert Ingredients……………………………….………………74.6%

• Contains 5% copper, 0.512 lbs. of copper per gallon (62g/l) STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee SSW Test Plots

• CLIPPER is a contact herbicide for the management of undesirable aquatic vegetation in slow moving or quiescent waters. It is a water dispersible granule containing 51% active ingredient: • Flumioxazin .………………..………………………………………51%

• Other Ingredients……………………………………………….….49%

Flumioxazin was conditionally registered for aquatic use in 2010. It works by interfering with the plants’ production of chlorophyll. It can also by used as a direct foliar application to control emergent & floating- leaf plants. STARRY STONEWORT (SSW) Nitellopsis obtusa Management Efforts Lake Wawasee 2016 SSW Test Plots Results

• The research may indicate early treatment of starry stonewort (June 27, 2016) as it begins to actively grow, but before it reaches large biomass levels (August 1, 2016), is important to management success.

• Also the research indicates that follow-up applications can be effective during active growth and moderate biomass levels.

• The research also may show increased effectiveness of Treatment 2 (Algimycin PWF & Clipper) & Treatment 3 (Cutrine Ultra & Hydrothol) in more sheltered & shallow lake areas, while Treatment 1 (Clearigate) might be more effective in more open or deeper lake areas. • Compounding factors that impacted results included treatment dilution, pH, treatment application time, and abundance of starry stonewort.

This ssw power point presentation may be viewed on the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Website at www.wacf.com