Selected "In the News" items previously
featured on NISIC for
this month. See the current In
the News for the most recent items. View
the In the News Archives for
the previous items featured by month.
New
Trend in Biofuels Has New Risks (May 21, 2008) New York Times.
(requires free subscription)
Some of the most commonly recommended species for biofuels production are also
major invasive alien species. The quick growth and need for little maintenance
that make some grasses attractive as biofuels also make them liable to spread
where they're unwanted.
Species
Profile -- New Zealand Mud Snail USDA. NAL. National Invasive Species
Information Center.
New Zealand mud snails reproduce rapidly and can crowd out native insects that
aquatic wildlife depend upon for survival. Recreationists such as anglers and
boaters, researchers and others who frequent lakes, rivers and streams can inadvertently
move mud snails to new locations and therefore should carefully clean their gear.
Microwaves
'cook ballast aliens' (May 12, 2008) BBC News.
Researchers in Louisiana say they have developed an effective way to kill unwanted
plants and animals that hitch a ride in the ballast waters of cargo vessels.
Invasion
of the Spiny Water Fleas (May 6, 2008) Queen's University (Canada).
Reducing the spread of some invasive species into our lakes could be as simple
as asking boaters and fishers to dry out their equipment. When anchor rope, fishing
line and the boats themselves are thoroughly dried, the invasive species and
their eggs will die, rather than spreading to another location.
