The Kishon River Authority in a persistent fight against the invasive species 'Floating Pistia' that spread in the waters of the Gadora River
The Kishon River Authority this week began clearing the invasive plant, floating pistachio, or in its popular name 'water lettuce' or 'water cabbage' from the Gadora (Foare) river.
The invasive plant was located by Alon Ben Meir, the supervisor of the Nahal Kishon Authority, on the banks of Nahal Gadora in the area of the city of Kiryat Bialik (between Haamkim Street and the "Big" Kiryat Ata complex) and spread as a dense carpet of leaves that covered the water of the stream for about 500 meters. This is the second year that the invasive plant has been found in this area of the stream.
Removal of the invasive plant from Nahal Gadora (Photo: Nahal Kishon Authority) | watch
From the moment the spread of the plant was discovered in the water, the river authority acted to remove it using an excavator (digger) with a long arm that had a strainer installed on the tip, with which the plant was effectively removed from the water. The plants caught between the natural river vegetation and the banks were removed manually with the help of kayaks. So a careful and meticulous work was done to extract all the details. After drying the plant, it will be removed by the municipality of Kiryat Bialik to an authorized pruning waste site.
Invasive plant
The invasive pistachio plant floats, thick and soft leaves that create the appearance of a rosette of leaves floating on the surface of the water. Its roots are dipped and used for floating. The plant reproduces rapidly and helps mosquitoes breed, including the Asian tiger mosquito, a nuisance that carries dangerous viruses such as dengue fever and West Nile fever. The mosquitoes lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf, while the submerged part of the plant is a habitat for larvae and pupae.
Fish die from lack of oxygen
In addition, there is a negative effect of the plant on the habitat in the stream. As a result of covering the leaves, there is a decrease in the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water and the penetration of light into the body of water is prevented. Due to the lack of oxygen in the water, fish and other animals die and other natural vegetation with which the 'water lettuce' competes, degenerates.
The invasive plant was used in freshwater aquariums and according to the experts at the Kishon River Authority, it may have found its way into the stream as a result of emptying aquarium water.
Did the article interest you?Sharon Nissim, CEO of the Kishon River Authority told Lahi Pa:
Eradication of invasive vegetation in and around the stream is a complex activity that requires familiarization and quick treatment of the hazard. The authority is working to eradicate the invasive species as part of the ecological restoration of the stream. We appeal to the public not to release animal and plant species into the stream without the approval of the authorized bodies. In such cases, contact us and/or the Nature and Parks Authority.
I realized that there are fish that eat this plant. I wonder why this option was not mentioned.
I live right next to the windows for the second year that I have seen from my window the spread of the aforementioned plant. Unfortunately, and despite reports of this, the Rivers Authority is in no hurry to solve the problem. Weeks pass until they are cleared to come and clean, and in the meantime the said damages are already being caused.