1. in the Louisiana Wetlands
Foreign Invaders
in the Louisiana Wetlands

2. Nutria's History
1930s
- Nutria was released, imported from fur farms to Louisiana
1940s
- Population grew and reports of damage were reported, nutria started to control aquatic plants
1950s
- Nutria started destroying everything, taken off the list of protected wildlife
1960s to 1980s
- Fur industry grew and was returned to the protected wildlife list and promoted as a natural resource

3. Description of Nutria Smaller than a beaver but larger than a muskrat
Forelegs are small compared to the body
Males are larger than females
Small black eyes
curved orange teeth
long rat looking tails

4. Nutria Nutria denudes natural levees Damages sugarcane fields
Nutria gnawed through 800,000 acres of marshes in the past 70 years in Louisiana
Nutria has cost money, we pay a lot of money to rebuild our marshes but then the nutria destroys it again
Nutria eats the base of marsh plants and it permanently destroys the plant
Solution to stop Nutria, fishers get $5 for every Nutria tail

5. Hydrilla Images

6. Hydrilla History Brought to the United States from Eurasia
Native to Asia, southern Europe, and Africa
Brought here as an aquarium plant
Spreads underground by the roots
Spreads also when stems break off of the plant
Hydrilla was introduced to the US in the 1950s – 1960s

7. Hydrilla
Places where Hydrilla is found- Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, and many other states
Hydrilla is a very hard plant to control
Hydrilla impacts aquatic ecosystems because making thick canopies that shade out vegetation
States pay million of dollars to control Hydrilla
Forms dense mats in different freshwater habitats

8. Eurasian Watermilfoil History
The Eurasian Watermilfoil plant originates from Europe and Asia
It was introduced to North America through the aquarium industry
Eurasian Watermilfoil may have arrived in the 1800s
Was documented in North America in the 1940s

9. Eurasian Watermilfoil
Grows in Aquatic plant beds
Rooted at the bottom of the lake and grows fast creating canopies
affects wildlife and fish population
The Eurasian Watermilfoil plant canopy at the water surface, blocks sunlight and reduces light penetration
This plant forms very thick at the waters surface, interferes with fishing and boating
Once it has established it growth it is almost impossible to remove
Slows water flow in canals

10. Importance of Wetlands
The wetlands sustain more life than any other ecosystem
Wetlands help animals because it helps them to develop new adaption's and they can cope with life where the water is critical
Provides habitats for animals and plants
Performs natural cleansing functions
Removes pollutants from the surface by retaining
Protects us from Hurricanes

11. By: Mohamed, Desmond, and Tiffany

12. Sources