Date of Award
Winter 2014
Publication Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
M.Sc.
Department
Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research
Keywords
Biological sciences, Health and environmental sciences, Aquatic plants, Biological invasion, Invasive species, Nonindigenous species, Water hyacinth, Water lettuce
Supervisor
MacIsaac, Hugh J.
Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Many macrophyte species sold in stores across Canada are perceived as unlikely to invade owing to climate mismatches. This does not account for climate change, which may make the Great Lakes more suitable to invaders. This study aimed to assess the invasion potential of two macrophytes ( Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes ) that were recently discovered in the Great Lakes, and determine the mechanisms responsible for their persistence. I surveyed the Canadian shoreline of the Great Lakes to determine their current range, and tested three hypotheses that may account for their continued presence. Surveys conducted in 2010, 2011 and 2012 demonstrated that the species are recurring in some tributaries. I deployed enclosures to assess winter survival of experimental plants and results indicate that neither species can survive. However, water hyacinth produces seeds in the Great Lakes, and experiments indicate a germination rate of up to 67% under optimal conditions. Therefore, it is unlikely that water lettuce and water hyacinth are currently established in the area, though it may become an issue in the future.
Recommended Citation
Eyraud, Amanda P., "Can tropical macrophytes establish in the lower Laurentian Great Lakes?" (2014). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5021.
https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/etd/5021