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Title:
Invaders of Agua
Hedionda Lagoon
Produced for
the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Invaders of Agua Hedionda
Lagoon tells the story of how the introduction of non-native
plant and animal species into sensitive natural systems, like
California's coastal wetlands, can throw them off balance, pushing
already sensitive species closer to the brink of extinction.
One species in particular posed a tremendous threat to both Agua
Hedionda Lagoon and the open coast of southern California. The
highly invasive strain of the saltwater aquarium plant Caulerpa
taxifolia was discovered in Agua Hedionda Lagoon in June 2000,
where it was rapidly invading large areas of native habitat after
its release from a saltwater aquarium. Upon its discovery, tremendous
efforts were undertaken to eradicate Caulerpa taxifolia from
the lagoon.
The eventual success of the eradication effort was due primarily
to the quick recognition that this invasive species could have
devastating ecological impacts, leading to a rapid response to
stop its spread.
The high economic and biological expense of the invasion presented
in Invaders of Agua Hedionda Lagoon highlights the critical
role the public can play in preventing future infestations of
non-native species, by NEVER releasing plants or animals into
the wild.
Location: Carlsbad,
California
Organization: Agua
Hedionda Lagoon Foundation
Links: Southern
California Caulerpa Action Team
Running Time:
18 minutes
CREDITS:
Executive producer
- Merkel & Associates, Inc.
Production Coordinator & Underwater Video - Rachel Woodfield
Produced, filmed and edited by Jim Karnik Productions
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