water guy
Guest
Anyone see the Nova television show on the bad algae? Pretty scary. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/algae/
bad algae, bad algae !
- Thread starter water guy
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Species like Caulerpa taxifolia and Undaria pinnatifida have been discovered in our waters here as well. With increasing global trade, introductions of alien species into non-native habitat will become a more significant problem over time.
It reminds me of the homogenization of America, with a Walmart, Borders and McDonalds in every community instead of the indigenous Mom & Pop businesses they replaced.
At least true cold water species like kelps will most likely not invade the coral reefs and vice versa. There are limits.
Dr. Bill
It reminds me of the homogenization of America, with a Walmart, Borders and McDonalds in every community instead of the indigenous Mom & Pop businesses they replaced.
At least true cold water species like kelps will most likely not invade the coral reefs and vice versa. There are limits.
Dr. Bill
JustinW
Contributor
yeah, i was going to post for everyone to watch the nova show about taxifola. As a reef aquarium and scuba entusiast i found it very interesting. I Love taxifola, in my reef at home for the exact reasons it is terrible on the california coast. Tropical reefs have water that is pretty much devoid of nutrients, thus clear water, while california waters are rich in nutrients. We use the caulerpa to suck out the nutrients of our artificial saltwater to keep our reef healthy, and this ability to suck nutrients out of the water is what would allow it to grow so vigorously in california. It is illegal to sell or buy it in california but we still have ways to get ahold of it. I don't ever let it get close to my scuba gear though, for I love our coastline. We can do our part by reporting aquarium stores that sell caulerpa taxifola to people and by watching carefully for it in our waters. Here is a picture of caulerpa taxifola for everyone who didn't see the show or isn't familiar with it. Also if you find or see exotic species of anything in our waters report them to fish and game.
Looks a lot like two native species we have in the Caribbean, C. mexicana and C. sertularioides. I doubt most people would know the difference.
This thing is just one of a multitude of dangerous invasives running rampant throughout America. Some have been here so long, folks take them for granted and assume they're native. I can cite a couple dozen off the top of my head. Heck, South Florida boasts more exotic plants than native ones!
I object to the title of the Nova show. "Deep Sea Invasion" is quite inappropriate for use on a marine macroalga. It's nowhere near the "deep sea". Dang botanists.
This thing is just one of a multitude of dangerous invasives running rampant throughout America. Some have been here so long, folks take them for granted and assume they're native. I can cite a couple dozen off the top of my head. Heck, South Florida boasts more exotic plants than native ones!
I object to the title of the Nova show. "Deep Sea Invasion" is quite inappropriate for use on a marine macroalga. It's nowhere near the "deep sea". Dang botanists.
JustinW
Contributor
yeah c. mexicana is very similar to taxiofola
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