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Caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpa taxifolia. Author: Matt Thompson December 09, 2003 Ecology 474. C. taxifolia. Algae Start out as aquarium plant Native to the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean and Red Seas Grows on many substrates Invasive plant species rapid growth. C. taxifolia.

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Caulerpa taxifolia

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  1. Caulerpa taxifolia Author: Matt Thompson December 09, 2003 Ecology 474

  2. C. taxifolia • Algae • Start out as aquarium plant • Native to the Indo-Pacific, Caribbean and Red Seas • Grows on many substrates • Invasive plant species • rapid growth

  3. C. taxifolia • National Marines Fisheries Service describes the algae as "bright green, with feathery, fern-like fronds that extend upward from a main stem."

  4. C. taxifolia • First found in Carlsbad, California • First invaded Europe • on display in Germany and Monaco • spread to waters in Europe • geneticists have concluded that C. taxifolia in California is a clone of the original from Germany and Monaco

  5. C. taxifolia • Consequences • altering of ecosystems • “killing out” native plant species • easily wipes out eelgrass meadows • eelgrass meadows serve as nurseries to juveniles • pivotal to survival of halibut, spiny lobster and sand basses

  6. C. taxifolia • Spreads by fragmentation • pieces of the plant are torn from main structure • settle down to sediment • root system develops into substrate = new plant

  7. C. taxifolia • California Laws • In 2001, Assembly Bill 1334 prohibiting plant from being possessed and sold passed • Southern California Caulerpa Action Team (SCCAT) appointed • conduct surveys documenting and tracking the growth of the species • poison Caulerpa they find with chlorine

  8. C. taxifolia • Eradication: • installing “impermeable tarps” over “infested areas” with the tarps held down. From here, a solid form of chlorine is placed in the tarp. The chlorine first bleaches the alga eventually killing it off. Afterwards, biologists take a sampling of the sediment to see if the C. taxifolia is indeed dead or remnants still exist. If the plant is still present, dredging is done is selected areas.

  9. Eradication cont’d • fishing and boating has been greatly reduced in these areas, because boats can carry the species to new and uninfected areas, boating and fishing are limited

  10. Results: • New C. taxifolia found frequently • $1.3 million spent with “dismal” success • Currently finding other means (by way of chemicals) to kill of Caulerpa with little to no harm on surrounding ecosystem

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