View a
QuickTime version of this program on-line:
|
Title:
Invaders of
Agua Hedionda Lagoon
Produced
for the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Invaders of Agua Hedionda
Lagoon tells the story of how the introduction of non-native plant
and animal species into sensitive natural systems, like California's
coastal wetlands, can throw them off balance, pushing already sensitive
species closer to the brink of extinction.
One species in particular posed a tremendous threat to both Agua
Hedionda Lagoon and the open coast of southern California. The highly
invasive strain of the saltwater aquarium plant Caulerpa taxifolia was
discovered in Agua Hedionda Lagoon in June 2000, where it was rapidly
invading large areas of native habitat after its release from a
saltwater aquarium. Upon its discovery, tremendous efforts were
undertaken to eradicate Caulerpa taxifolia from the lagoon.
The eventual success of the eradication effort was due primarily to the
quick recognition that this invasive species could have devastating
ecological impacts, leading to a rapid response to stop its spread.
The high economic and biological expense of the invasion presented in Invaders
of Agua Hedionda Lagoon highlights the critical role the public can
play in preventing future infestations of non-native species, by NEVER
releasing plants or animals into the wild.
Location: Carlsbad,
California
Organization: Agua
Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Links: Southern
California Caulerpa Action Team
Running
Time: 18 minutes
CREDITS:
Executive
producer - Merkel & Associates, Inc.
Production Coordinator & Underwater Video - Rachel Woodfield
Produced, filmed and edited by Jim Karnik Productions
|