ST. LAWRENCE EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO PARTNERSHIP FOR REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
DESCRIPTION:
Fanwort (Cabomba caroliniana) is a submerged invasive aquatic perennial plant native to South America, and the southeastern United States. It has become invasive in the northeastern US, as well as in Europe and Australia. Its name is derived from the fan-like appearance of its foliage.
DISTRIBUTION:
Fanwort spreads primarily through fragmentation. Fanwort has been found in the Hudson Basin, the Catskills, and Long Island. Fanwort has also been identified in Kasoag Lake in Oswego County. An infestation of fanwort was recently found above the Youngs Mill Dam in Mexico, NY in Oswego County. Fragments were found in Black Creek on the other side of the dam, and there is concern that it may spread into Little Salmon River which connects to Lake Ontario. A removal effort occurred on August 29th, 2024 surrounding a reconstruction zone by the Dam and sparse populations of the plant downstream.
IF YOU FIND FANWORT:
Take a clear close-up photo, note the location (GPS coordinates are best), and report observations to iMapInvasives or directly to the SLELO PRISM’s Aquatic Restoration and Resiliency Coordinator, Brittney Rogers at Brittney.rogers@tnc.org.
Join early detection efforts for fanwort and other aquatic invasive species through our Water Protector’s Program. Participants will learn to recognize and report priority species to NYiMapInvasives and adopt a waterbody to monitor annually.
IMPACTS:
Fanwort can overwinter and grow rapidly in the spring and summer, outcompeting and dominating native vegetation. Fanwort’s dense foliage reduces light availability for benthic organisms and native plants. This results in a decline in populations of fish and other animals dependent on these native organisms. Large diebacks of fanwort can result in reduced dissolved oxygen levels that can impact populations of aquatic species.
Submerged leaves have a branched fan-like appearance with tips that form a Y-shape. They are oppositely attached to the stem by a long petiole.
Floating leaves are linear and entire and form near the plant’s flowers.
Flowers have 6 white petals with yellow stamen and form on short stalks above the water between May and September.
Fanwort can be controlled using chemical treatment, mechanical and manual harvesting, water level manipulation, and benthic barriers. However, these methods have had limited success or have ecological costs.
Fanwort is easily spread by plant fragmentation. Be sure to Clean, Drain, Dry your watercraft and equipment, and avoid driving watercraft through established fanwort colonies.
PREVENTION
Prevent the introduction of invasive species into the SLELO PRISM.
EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE
Rapidly detect new and recent invaders and eliminate all individuals within a specific area.
COOPERATION
Share resources, including funding personnel, equipment, information, and expertise.
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Collect, utilize, and share information regarding surveys, infestations, control methods, monitoring, and research.
CONTROL
Control invasive species infestations by using best management practices, methods and techniques to include: ERADICATION (which is to eliminate all individuals and the seed bank from an area), CONTAINMENT (which is reducing the spread of established infestations from entering an uninfested area) and SUPPRESSION which is to reduce the density but not necessarily the total infested area.
RESTORATION
Develop and implement effective restoration methods for areas that have been degraded by invasive species and where suppression or control has taken place.
EDUCATION & OUTREACH
Increase public awareness and understanding of invasive species.
INNOVATION
Develop and implement innovative technologies that help us to better understand, visualize, alleviate or manage invasive species and their impacts or that serve to strengthen ecosystem function and/or processes.
Rob Williams
PRISM Coordinator
Megan Pistolese
Outreach and Education
Brittney Rogers
Aquatic Invasive Species
Robert Smith
Terrestrial Invasive Species