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...". 2010. removing oxygen from the water when the Water hyacinth was first recorded in South Africa on the Cape flats in the early 1900s and since then, has spread throughout the country. water weed! Now, let us take a look at a pair of ten-year-old girls who live in two separate countries and circumstances in Africa. 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. 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. It grows in ponds, streams, and ditches. Water hyacinth, any aquatic plant of the genus Eichhornia of the pickerelweed family (Pontederiaceae), consisting of about five species, native primarily to tropical America. nutrients from water. 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. It is currently covering more than 30% of the surface of the Hartbeespoort (Harties) Dam in South Africa’s North West Province. Now the plant has grown out of control causing havoc in South African water systems and killing marine plants. In 1972, the mottled water hyacinth (Neochetina eichhorniae), with a life span between 90-120 days, was deployed in Florida. This plant appeared in Lake Kyoga in Uganda in the early 1980s and it also occurs in Lake Kwania and down the Kyoga Nile. It is a weed problem in many countries, especially in Egypt and East, West and South Africa. Lake Victoria, located in … AN Egyptian-funded initiative to remove water hyacinth on lakes Victoria and Kyoga is to be expanded to Rwanda and Burundi. 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. well as to remove the invasive weeds. Genetic uniformity characterizes the invasive spread of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), a clonal aquatic plant. fertilizer, sewage) entering water courses, as The plant has since spread across the country and is found in water bodies in both sub-tropical and temperate areas. Nearly two months after the department of water affairs and forestry (DWAF) contracted a helicopter to spray herbicide over the hyacinth … 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. Zhang, Y., D. Zhang, and S.C. Barrett. America, where it grows in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin. Water Hyacinth is a floating perennial plant that is native to the Amazon and has spread to much of the southern united states. The aquatic plant water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was first recorded in South Africa during the early part of the 20th century. 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. 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. In North Africa water hyacinth causes serious … In 1974, a shorter life span weevil, the chevroned water hyacinth weevil (Neochetina bruchi) was released. Removing Water hyacinth from a Cape town stream. disease-carrying mosquitoes can breed amongst fishing and recreation, it worsens flooding and can even cause bridges to collapse. 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. water plant because of its beautiful flowers. The leaf stalks have air sacs that enable the 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. In Africa, the first introduction of water hyacinth was in Egypt in about 1880 (Warnimont, 1965). The hanging roots of the plant feathery and purplish-black in color. Water hyacinth is an environmental menace and threat to biodiversity.” ... New rules for UK, South Africa travellers. It prefers warmer climates and has board, thick, and glossy leaves that are 10-20 cm across. Water hyacinth is a very aggressive invader and can form thick mats. 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 (). 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. Water hyacinth originated from Amazonia and spread naturally throughout South America. 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. parts of estuaries rather than near the estuary mouth. plant to float, and the long feathery roots hang down into the water. Water Hyacinth is a successful invader because: Once a seed germinates, the plant grows very 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. The Water Hyacinth is quite easily the most damaging water invader in South Africa. 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. 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 … underwater plants cannot grow. By Jacques Breytenbach. Water hyacinth is the most invasive and rapidly proliferating aquatic weed in the world. According to the University of Florida, water hyacinth was introduced from South America into the US in 1884. It is a floating water plant that grows about Water hyacinth is native to South America, but has naturalized much of the Southern U.S. Native to the tropics of South America, the water hyacinth now thrives on every continent except Europe. The main areas where it occurs vary from low-lying, subtropical zones to high-elevation zones where frost is common in winter. It was introduced to the United States in 1884 at an exposition in New Orleans. bodies with high levels of. 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. Water Hyacinth comes from tropical South America, where it grows in rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin. 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. quickly and can flower within three or four months. 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. It does not tolerate brackish water, so is found in the upper In 1988 it … Water hyacinth is non-native to North America. Only vaccines can eliminate virus, says NCDC. To control Water Hyacinth it is important both Many methods have been tried to bring the weed under control, mostly with little rewards. 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. Water hyacinth was first observed around Lake Victoria in 1989 and by the late 1990s was choking out most of the shoreline. Estuaries 26(3):746-758. plants die, sink to the bottom and rot; this causes fish and other Spread has been especially rapid during the last 10-15 years with exceedingly serious problems developing in the equatorial zone. All have slender rootstocks, Water Hyacinth is a problem for people because: it blocks waterways and interferes with transport, irrigation, by hand or by specially designed harvesting machines. It was introduced in Africa around 1879, and 110 years later, established itself on the continent’s largest lake, Lake Victoria. 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