Author
 |
Anderson, Lars |
|
Submitted to: Biological Invasions
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/26/2004 Publication Date: 4/1/2005 Citation: Anderson, L.W. 2005. California's reaction to caulerpa taxifolia: a model for invasive species rapid response. Biological Invasions. 7:1003-1016. Interpretive Summary: An invasive marine algae call Caulerpa taxifolia or, "Caulerpa", and sometimes referred to as "Killer algae", was introduced into the Mediterranean sea in 1984 and has spread rapidly, displacing desirable native plants and animals. This plant now covers over 40,000 acres along the coasts of France, Italy, Croatia. A small population was discovered in June, 2000, in a lagoon near San Diego, Ca. In response, a consortium of federal, state, local agencies and private groups (known as the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team, or "SCCAT") developed and implemented an operational plan to eradicate this pest. The USDA- ARS has been instrumental in all phases on the project, including verification of eradication methods. The first containment and eradication began less than 3 weeks after the discovery. The program to date has been successful in stopping the spread and anticipates full eradication within a few years. As a result of these actions, an immediate threat to nearly 600 miles of California coastal ecosystems, Mexican coastal ecosystems and Gulf-coast ecosystems has been removed from this potential source. If unabated, the spreading populations could have caused severe economic losses in marine fisheries, aquaculture systems and recreational uses. This project is now being examined as a model for generic Rapid Response Planning to combat the intrusion of other exotic aquatic organisms. Technical Abstract: When the invasive marine alga Caulerpa taxifolia was discovered June 12, 2000, in California at Agua Hedionda Lagoon, there was already an awareness of the risks and potential impacts to the environment due to a 15-year history of spread in the Mediterranean Sea. It had already been placed on the Federal Noxious Weed list in 1999. This awareness greatly facilitated consensus building and setting clear eradication goals among a large number of state, federal and local agencies as well as private groups and NGOs (non governmental organizations) that became the "Southern California Caulerpa Action Team" (SCCAT). Field containment and treatments began 17 days after the discovery due to: (1) timely notification of the "find"; (2) the proactive staff of the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board who deemed this invasion tantamount to an "oil spill", thus freeing up emergency funding; and (3) the mobilization of diver crews already working at the site. Three essential components were brought to bear on the problem: (a) expertise and knowledge on the biology of C. taxifolia; (b) knowledge on the uses, "ownership" and characteristics of the infested site; and (c) knowledge and experience in the implementation of aquatic plant eradication. These, combined with the requisite resources (approximately $1.2 million per year) resulted in containment, treatment and excellent progress toward eradication. Successful rapid response to other aquatic invasive species will require similar readiness to act and immediate access to adequate funding. Conducting fire alarm-type exercises ("Pest Alarms") with potential invasive species, the expertise, resources, regulatory issues and entry pathways can be identified before the arrival of the pest, thereby reduce the time needed for an effective and appropriate response. |
