Hydrilla and Climate Change

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant that spreading rapidly in the Connecticut River. Hydrilla can grow densely, which impacts local ecosystems in terms of habitats, hydrology, recreation.  Due to these large environmental and economic impacts, the US Army Corps of Engineering is applying experimental herbicides to a few “demonstration” areas this summer.

Our research, which is supported by the National Science Foundation, is leveraging these herbicide applications as an experimental treatment to better understand how hydrilla impacts water chemistry and carbon cycling. We are monitoring water quality in treated and untreated coves, as well as the mainstem of the Connecticut River. 

In particular, we are monitoring greenhouse gas emissions from treated and untreated coves to understand potential linkages between hydrilla spread and climate change.  Check back here in a couple of months to read more about some of the data that we are collecting!