Infestations of the marine macrophytic alga
Caulerpa taxifolia
were discovered in Agua Hedionda Lagoon, California
in 2000. Rapid response actions included containment under
pvc tarps coupled with injection of liquid sodium hypochlorite.
To assess the efficacy of these treatments, replicated sediment
cores were removed from representative treated sites
and transferred to grow-out facilities. Similar cores from uninfested
(control) sediments were removed, inoculated with
viable explants of
C. taxifolia
and placed in grow-out facilities.
Results from two sampling periods (1 year, 2 years post-treatment)
showed that no viable
C. taxifolia
emerged in cores,
and that inoculated “control” sediments supported normal
growth. Eelgrass (
Zostera marina
L.) seedlings emerged from
native seed-banks in “treated” cores, which also supported
growth of some invertebrates (annelid worms and hydroids).
This study provided essential verification of
C. taxifolia
eradication
efforts, and demonstrates the feasibility of incorporating
quality control/quality assurance components in rapid
response actions. Results of this study also suggest that seeds
of eelgrass
are viable for at least two years. (PDF has 9 pages.
