None The Nature Conservancy in Georgia Press Releases Search All Press Releases Christine Griffiths Phone: (912) 437-2161, ext.225 E-mail: cgriffiths@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy Establishes Toll-Free Hotline To Assist With Battle Against Non-Native Invasive Species

Darien, GA—January 23, 2003—Silently, insidiously, strange species from far away are gaining a foothold in the waters and adjacent lands of the Altamaha River. Adapting to the elements of the river system, these species are battling with native plants and animals for the same food sources and habitat.

“Non-native invasive species are a real threat to the health of the river system,” said Nate Thomas, southeast Georgia land steward for The Nature Conservancy.  “Right now, these species are, relative to other parts of the country, manageable, but there is the potential that their populations will grow and out-compete the native flora and fauna.”

In the battle against non-native invasive species, The Nature Conservancy has established a toll-free hotline (1-877-SAVE ALTA) for landowners and nature enthusiasts along the Altamaha River to call in sightings of “alien species.”

Brought to the river system primarily by the actions of humans, either purposely or by accident, these species threaten to disrupt the precious balance of nature in the Altamaha River basin by out-competing native species. These “alien” species threaten to degrade habitat, jeopardize the recovery of rare and endangered species and reduce the biological diversity of the area.

In May 2001, the Altamaha River Bioreserve project was chosen as a demonstration site for The Nature Conservancy’s Wildland Invasive Species Program, a global initiative to develop a network of sites focused on identifying and controlling non-native species. Information gathered from this project will be shared with Nature Conservancy staff and partners worldwide.

The toll-free hotline was established as part of this initiative, and is available for landowners, hunters, boaters and community members to call in locations of invasive species within the Altamaha River basin. Thomas and other Conservancy staff will investigate reports and take necessary steps to eliminate or minimize the threat caused by the invasive species, including working with landowners to develop management plans.

“With 1.2 million acres in the lower Altamaha watershed, we – the Conservancy and our conservation partners – have a large area to cover with limited manpower,” said Thomas. “We need the help and vigilant eyes of landowners and nature enthusiasts to help manage the populations of the various non-native invasive species and their devastating effects on the natural environment.”

The Altamaha River Bioreserve project is also partnering with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve (SINERR) to heighten awareness about invasive species, the threats they pose to the coastal environment and steps residents and decision-makers can take to make a difference.

“Intentionally and unintentionally, people are  the primary means by which invasive species are introduced to natural areas,” explained Dorset Hurley, a biologist with SINERR.

“Likewise, people are the best mechanism for controlling the threats posed by invasive species.   An early warning or sentinel program based on an informed public with an established line of communication for reporting sightings of invasives is the only way we can establish effective control programs,” Hurley said.

The threat of non-native invasive species is not just a problem for Georgia. The invasion of non-native species is a world-wide ecological crisis with disastrous results, both environmentally and economically.

“The increase of global product marketing and transport has intensified the spread of non-native species to all parts of the world,” Hurley said. “ Issues involving the transport and spread of invasive species are some of the highest areas of concern facing scientists and managers of natural systems around the globe. No ecosystem, marine, aquatic or terrestrial regardless of its isolation, is immune from the effects of non-native invaders.”

According to the federal government’s National Management Plan for Invasive Species, non-native invasive species negatively impact up to 46 percent of federally listed plants and animals.

While it is impossible to put a price tag on a species that has been lost forever due to competition with invasives, a Cornell University study estimates that non-native invasive species cost Americans $138 billion annually, in terms of environmental damages, losses and associated control techniques.

Nature Conservancy supporters and partners can help abate the threats that these plants and animals pose by learning to identify them, using the toll-free number to alert Conservancy staff  of their whereabouts, and helping to implement proper controls. Also, homeowners are discouraged from purchasing non-native species (such as water hyacinth and Chinese tallow) for ornamental landscaping purposes.

To find out more about invasive species, go to The Nature Conservancy's Invasive Species Initiative on nature.org.

The following list contains just a few of the invasive species that impact the ecology of the Altamaha River and southeast Georgia. Conservancy and SINERR staff  identified these species as potentially the most devastating to the natural balance of the coastal region.

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)
A floating aquatic plant with purple blooms from South America, it shades out native vegetation and reduces oxygen in the water.

Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum)
A small tree with aspen-like leaves and white fruit in the fall. Grows along rivers, creeks, ponds and wetlands and displaces native vegetation and is toxic to wildlife.

Common reed (Phragmites australis)
This plant is found along roadsides in ditches and marshlands. It displaces native vegetation.

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var.lobata)
A perennial deciduous vine with small purple flowers, it destroys native vegetation.

Rattlebox (Sesbania punicea)
This shrub has a "hat-rack" shape and 10 to 40 leaflets on a branch with showy red flowers in late spring and early summer. It forms dense thickets, replacing native vegetation.

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa)
Detrimental to wildlife and natural communities, wild boars dig up native vegetation, eat small animals, and consume foods that native wildlife need to survive.

Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
Pale yellow catfish with flattened body and head, this invasive  can weigh over 50 pounds and is found in large streams and rivers. A voracious predator, it preys on native fish species.

Green porcelain crab (Petrolisthes armatus)
A small flattened crab olive green to dark green in color, it is found in great density and thought to displace native
bottom-dwelling crabs.

Giant Land Crab (Cardiosoma guanhumi)
A large purplish land-dwelling crab, which is thought to alter habitat and prey on native species, such as birds and lizards.