how did water hyacinth get to south africa

Now the plant has grown out of control causing havoc in South African water systems and killing marine plants. Now, let us take a look at a pair of ten-year-old girls who live in two separate countries and circumstances in Africa. Reusing shower water, limiting toilet flushing and night-time irrigation were among measures that saved South Africa’s second city from running dry Krista Mahr Fri … removing oxygen from the water when the Some species float in shallow water; others are rooted in muddy stream banks and lakeshores. Water Hyacinth Crisis on Hartebeespoort Harties Dam. and animals, forming thick mats that stop light getting into the water, so that B ACKGROUND — Water hyacinth was first reported in Natal, South Africa, in 1910, and from there it has spread throughout South Africa. plant to float, and the long feathery roots hang down into the water. Water hyacinth, any aquatic plant of the genus Eichhornia of the pickerelweed family (Pontederiaceae), consisting of about five species, native primarily to tropical America. The plant has since spread across the country and is found in water bodies in both sub-tropical and temperate areas. Water Hyacinth comes from tropical South Water Hyacinth is a successful invader because: Once a seed germinates, the plant grows very Site and Date of Introduction: The Water Hyacinth was introduced from its native home in South America to various countries by well-meaning people as an ornamental plant; to the US in the 1880's. Abstract. Nearly two months after the department of water affairs and forestry (DWAF) contracted a helicopter to spray herbicide over the hyacinth … to reduce nutrients (e.g. It was introduced in Egypt in about 1879. Water hyacinth is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. It is an aggressive invader especially in water America, where it grows in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin. Removing Water hyacinth from a Cape town stream. In South Africa, monetising the water hyacinth will be best carried out by either a cooperative of entrepreneurs or an NGO taking on the project, most likely rural based as lots of space will be required to dry the plant to get to commercial scale. The main areas where it occurs vary from low-lying, subtropical zones to high-elevation zones where frost is common in winter. By Jacques Breytenbach. AN Egyptian-funded initiative to remove water hyacinth on lakes Victoria and Kyoga is to be expanded to Rwanda and Burundi. Water hyacinth is the most invasive and rapidly proliferating aquatic weed in the world. Water Hyacinth threatens biodiversity by: changing the ecosystem so that it no longer suits indigenous plants Water Hyacinth is a floating perennial plant that is native to the Amazon and has spread to much of the southern united states. It prefers warmer climates and has board, thick, and glossy leaves that are 10-20 cm across. Water hyacinth is native to South America, but has naturalized much of the Southern U.S. Two biological control agents have been introduced to control populations It does not tolerate brackish water, so is found in the upper Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an aquatic plant native to South America, first appeared in countries in Africa in the early 1900s. To control Water Hyacinth it is important both It was introduced as an ornamental species into the USA, South East Asia and South Africa in the late 19 th century and is now naturalized in most tropical and subtropical areas. The floating water-hyacinth was introduced into Florida in the 1880s and covered more than 120,000 acres of public lakes and navigable rivers by the early 1960s. by hand or by specially designed harvesting machines. The aquatic plant water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was first recorded in South Africa during the early part of the 20th century. In 1988 it … It is a floating water plant that grows about wetlands. Control depends on the specific conditions of each affected location such as the extent of water hyacinth infestation, regional climate, and proximity to human and wildlife. Water hyacinth originated from Amazonia and spread naturally throughout South America. water plant because of its beautiful flowers. Water Hyacinth is a problem for people because: it blocks waterways and interferes with transport, irrigation, After its introduction to Africa and Asia, the water hyacinth mass-developed in many bodies of water and became a major obstacle to navigation and fishing. The leaf stalks have air sacs that enable the Many methods have been tried to bring the weed under control, mostly with little rewards. It can be found between 38°N and 38°S and is referred to as a noxious weed in more than 50 countries on five continents (). Is it Invasive? Zhang, Y., D. Zhang, and S.C. Barrett. Water Hyacinth comes from tropical South America, where it grows in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin. In Africa, the first introduction of water hyacinth was in Egypt in about 1880 (Warnimont, 1965). Water hyacinth was first recorded in South Africa on the Cape flats in the early 1900s and since then, has spread throughout the country. It was brought to South Africa as a decorative water plant because of its beautiful flowers. animals to move away. Water hyacinth was first documented in South Africa in the early 1900s in the Cape Flats and has since spread countrywide as South Africa’s eutrophic (mineral & nutrient rich) water bodies and temperate climate make for the ideal environment for the aquatic weed to spread and thrive. It was introduced in Africa around 1879, and 110 years later, established itself on the continent’s largest lake, Lake Victoria. In 1972, the mottled water hyacinth (Neochetina eichhorniae), with a life span between 90-120 days, was deployed in Florida. bodies with high levels of. The hanging roots of the plant feathery and purplish-black in color. It was brought to South Africa as a decorative Water hyacinth is an environmental menace and threat to biodiversity.” ... New rules for UK, South Africa travellers. Water hyacinth mats clog waterways, making boating, fishing and almost all other water activities impossible. well as to remove the invasive weeds. disease-carrying mosquitoes can breed amongst Range Water hyacinth is native to the upper Amazon River basin in South America, but its distribution is now widespread around tropical and subtropical regions of the world. nutrients from water. It is a weed problem in many countries, especially in Egypt and East, West and South Africa. It spread to the Congo, the Nile and Lake Victoria in … fishing and recreation, it worsens flooding and can even cause bridges to collapse. water weed! Water hyacinth is readily available ornamental plant for purchase that is typically put in ponds and outdoor water gardens in Ontario, where it is not a regulated species. It is currently covering more than 30% of the surface of the Hartbeespoort (Harties) Dam in South Africa’s North West Province. fertilizer, sewage) entering water courses, as The alternative supply of biogas from the water hyacinth could replace the unsustainable use of firewood for cooking, which is a particular problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. All have slender rootstocks, The Water Hyacinth is quite easily the most damaging water invader in South Africa. Ogwang: "...by integrating use of biocontrol agents in pest management, Planet Earth will remain a healthier environment with a relatively intact biodiversity for generations present and future...". It forms dense mats in lakes, rivers and Later, an even shorter life-span hyacinth eater — the Argentine water hyacinth moth (Sameodes albiguttalis) with a lifespan of only 30 days — was established. Here, water hyacinth will be artificially grown in tanks and used to produce biogas for cooking and fertiliser to grow flowers. Small amounts of Water Hyacinth can be removed A number of different biocontrol species have been tested on water hyacinth here in the US. Water hyacinth was first observed around Lake Victoria in 1989 and by the late 1990s was choking out most of the shoreline. plants die, sink to the bottom and rot; this causes fish and other Many large hydropower schemes are suffering from the effects of water hyacinth. Water hyacinth is a floating, flowering plant, native to South America. Lake Victoria, located in … Water hyacinth is a problem in the US as well. Water Hyacinth is the worlds worst invasive The Argentine water hyacinth moth, Sameodes albiguttalis, which retards growth in the early stages of water hyacinth mat development, was released and is now established in Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as in Australia, South Africa and Sudan. the plants. No one's sure how the South American water hyacinth invaded Africa's Lake Victoria but there's little doubt as to the damages it has caused. This plant appeared in Lake Kyoga in Uganda in the early 1980s and it also occurs in Lake Kwania and down the Kyoga Nile. Estuaries 26(3):746-758. Some people use Water Hyacinth as a source of fibre for making rope, Molecular Ecology 19(9):1774-1786. In North Africa water hyacinth causes serious … Native to the tropics of South America, the water hyacinth now thrives on every continent except Europe. Water hyacinth was introduced in South Africa as an ornamental plant. First introduced into the Cape area in the early years of the 1900’s the plant has spread aggressively, choking waterways of nutrients and life forms wherever it grows. 2010. an animal or plant which is introduced into a new area where it does not occur naturally Image Credit: Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida Habitat: This native of South America is now considered a major weed species in more than 50 countries. Only vaccines can eliminate virus, says NCDC. Native Origin: South America (Germplasm Resources Information Network); NatureServe Explorer, Bugwood.org Spread has been especially rapid during the last 10-15 years with exceedingly serious problems developing in the equatorial zone. In the 1990s, the world reportedly spent US$3 billion a year just to control the weed, for the most part with little or no success. It was introduced to the United States in 1884 at an exposition in New Orleans. baskets and paper, fodder for livestock, compost, and to remove excess Since then it has spread into many lakes and rivers of the southern US, making it one of the most troublesome aquatic plants in the country. Water hyacinth originated in tropical South America, but is naturalized in warm areas of the world: Central America, California and southern states, Africa, India, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, the latter where it is illegal so eat it fast. In 1974, a shorter life span weevil, the chevroned water hyacinth weevil (Neochetina bruchi) was released. parts of estuaries rather than near the estuary mouth. 20 cm high and has beautiful lilac blue flowers with yellow markings. The History of Water Hyacinth in Africa It was believed that water hyacinth was brought to Africa in the 1980’s, however research shows that the plant has been in the country since the mid-16th century, brought by European explorers. Water Hyacinth is the principal aquatic weed in Africa. Once growth is sufficient to cause crowding of individual plants, these petioles elongate and interweave, forming dense self-supporting mats that can cover the entire surfaces of dams and slow flowing rivers. underwater plants cannot grow. It grows in ponds, streams, and ditches. quickly and can flower within three or four months. What makes you most hopeful for the future? The effects of introduced water hyacinth on habitat structure, invertebrate assemblages, and fish diets. Water hyacinth is non-native to North America. 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