The Ocmulgee River ( / ɒ k ˈ m ʌ l ɡ iː / ) is a western tributary of the Altamaha River , approximately 255 mi (410 km) long, in the U.S. state of Georgia . It is the westernmost major tributary of the Altamaha. It was formerly known by its Hitchiti name of Ocheese Creek, from which the Creek (Muscogee) people derived their name.
92-623: The Ocmulgee River and its tributaries provide drainage for some 6,180 square miles in parts of 33 Georgia counties , a large section of the Piedmont and coastal plain of central Georgia. The Ocmulgee River basin has three river subbasins designated by the U.S. Geological Survey : the Upper Ocmulgee River subbasin ( hydrologic unit code 03070103); the Lower Ocmulgee River Subbasin (03070104); and
184-806: A largemouth bass was achieved in 1932 in Montgomery Lake, an oxbow lake off the Ocmulgee River in Telfair County . The record-setting fish, caught by farmer George Washington Perry, weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. The International Game Fish Association officially declared the world record for largemouth bass tied in 2010, following Manabu Kurita's catch (in July 2009) of a 22 pound, 4 ounce largemouth taken from Lake Biwa in Japan . There are some fifteen invasive species of fish which inhabit
276-733: A ballast tank of a ship traveling from the temperate zone through tropical waters may experience temperature fluctuations as much as 20 °C. Heat challenges during transport may enhance the stress tolerance of species in their non-native range, by selecting for genotypes that will survive a second applied heat stress, such as increased ocean temperature in the founder population. Invasive species often exploit disturbances to an ecosystem ( wildfires , roads , foot trails ) to colonize an area. Large wildfires can sterilize soils, while adding nutrients . Invasive plants that can regenerate from their roots then have an advantage over natives that rely on seeds for propagation. Invasive species can affect
368-595: A few of the traits, and that noninvasive species had these also. Common invasive species traits include fast growth and rapid reproduction , such as vegetative reproduction in plants; association with humans; and prior successful invasions. Domestic cats are effective predators; they have become feral and invasive in places such as the Florida Keys . An introduced species might become invasive if it can outcompete native species for resources. If these species evolved under great competition or predation , then
460-680: A great decrease in the population size and may constrict genetic variation , the individuals begin to show additive variance as opposed to epistatic variance. This conversion can lead to increased variance in the founding populations, which permits rapid evolution . Selection may then act on the capacity to disperse as well as on physiological tolerance to new stressors in the environment, such as changed temperature and different predators and prey. Rapid adaptive evolution through intraspecific phenotypic plasticity, pre-adaptation and post-introduction evolution lead to offspring that have higher fitness. Critically, plasticity permits changes to better suit
552-470: A habitat in ways advantageous to other species. For example, zebra mussels increase habitat complexity on lake floors, providing crevices in which invertebrates live. This increase in complexity, together with the nutrition provided by the waste products of mussel filter-feeding , increases the density and diversity of benthic invertebrate communities. Introduced species may spread rapidly and unpredictably. When bottlenecks and founder effects cause
644-552: A landowner can alter the drainage from their parcel. Drainage options for the construction industry include: The surface opening of channel drainage usually comes in the form of gratings (polymer, plastic, steel or iron) or a single slot (slot drain) that run along the ground surface (typically manufactured from steel or iron). Earth retaining structures such as retaining walls also need to have groundwater drainage considered during their construction. Typical retaining walls are constructed of impermeable material, which can block
736-543: A long taproot , or to live on previously uninhabited soil types. For example, barbed goatgrass was introduced to California on serpentine soils , which have low water-retention, low nutrient levels, a high magnesium / calcium ratio, and possible heavy metal toxicity. Plant populations on these soils tend to show low density, but goatgrass can form dense stands on these soils and crowd out native species. Invasive species might alter their environment by releasing chemical compounds, modifying abiotic factors, or affecting
828-403: A major role in exotic species introduction. High demand for the valuable Chinese mitten crab is one explanation for the possible intentional release of the species in foreign waters. Maritime trade has rapidly affected the way marine organisms are transported within the ocean; new means of species transport include hull fouling and ballast water transport. In fact, Molnar et al. 2008 documented
920-674: A new nomenclature system based on biogeography rather than on taxa . By discarding taxonomy, human health , and economic factors, this model focused only on ecological factors. The model evaluated individual populations rather than entire species. It classified each population based on its success in that environment. This model applied equally to indigenous and to introduced species, and did not automatically categorize successful introductions as harmful. The USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center defines invasive species very narrowly. According to Executive Order 13112, " 'Invasive species' means an alien species whose introduction does or
1012-407: A number of years and then experience an explosion in population, a phenomenon known as "the lag effect". Hybrids resulting from invasive species interbreeding with native species can incorporate their genotypes into the gene pool over time through introgression . Similarly, in some instances a small invading population can threaten much larger native populations. For example, Spartina alterniflora
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#17327657129401104-554: A particular pest species could pollute soil and surface water. Encroachment of humans into previously remote ecosystems has exposed exotic diseases such as HIV to the wider population. Introduced birds (e.g. pigeons ), rodents and insects (e.g. mosquito , flea , louse and tsetse fly pests) can serve as vectors and reservoirs of human afflictions. Throughout recorded history, epidemics of human diseases, such as malaria , yellow fever , typhus , and bubonic plague , spread via these vectors. A recent example of an introduced disease
1196-412: A pilot program called Street Edge Alternatives Project. The project focuses on designing a system "to provide drainage that more closely mimics the natural landscape prior to development than traditional piped systems". The streets are characterized by ditches along the side of the roadway, with plantings designed throughout the area. An emphasis on non-curbed sidewalks allows water to flow more freely into
1288-418: A result of either a numerical or fitness advantage of the introduced species. Genetic pollution occurs either through introduction or through habitat modification, where previously isolated species are brought into contact with the new genotypes. Invading species have been shown to adapt to their new environments in a remarkably short amount of time. The population size of invading species may remain small for
1380-629: Is a natural phenomenon, but human-facilitated introductions have greatly increased the rate, scale, and geographic range of invasion. For millennia, humans have served as both accidental and deliberate dispersal agents, beginning with their earliest migrations , accelerating in the Age of Discovery , and accelerating again with international trade . Notably invasive plant species include the kudzu vine, giant hogweed , Japanese knotweed , and yellow starthistle . Notably invasive animals include European rabbits , domestic cats , and carp . Invasive species are
1472-488: Is an introduced species that harms its new environment. Invasive species adversely affect habitats and bioregions , causing ecological, environmental, and/or economic damage. The term can also be used for native species that become harmful to their native environment after human alterations to its food web . Since the 20th century, invasive species have become serious economic, social, and environmental threats worldwide. Invasion of long-established ecosystems by organisms
1564-456: Is highly fire-adapted. It spreads rapidly after burning, and increases the frequency and intensity of fires by providing large amounts of dry detritus during the fire season in western North America. Where it is widespread, it has altered the local fire regimen so much that native plants cannot survive the frequent fires, allowing it to become dominant in its introduced range. Ecological facilitation occurs where one species physically modifies
1656-623: Is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health." Typically, an introduced species must survive at low population densities before it becomes invasive in a new location. At low population densities, it can be difficult for the introduced species to reproduce and maintain itself in a new location, so a species might reach a location multiple times before it becomes established. Repeated patterns of human movement, such as ships sailing to and from ports or cars driving up and down highways, offer repeated opportunities for establishment (a high propagule pressure ). In ecosystems ,
1748-600: Is normal, and preserves constellations of genes and genotypes. An example of this is the interbreeding of migrating coyotes with the red wolf , in areas of eastern North Carolina where the red wolf was reintroduced, reducing red wolf numbers. In South Africa's Cape Town region, analysis demonstrated that the restoration of priority source water sub-catchments through the removal of thirsty alien plant invasions (such as Australian acacias, pines and eucalyptus, and Australian black wattle) would generate expected annual water gains of 50 billion liters within 5 years compared to
1840-581: Is now considered invasive in over 60 countries, and has invaded large geographies in several countries prompting aggressive federal efforts at attempting to control it. Primary geomorphological effects of invasive plants are bioconstruction and bioprotection. For example, kudzu ( Pueraria montana ), a vine native to Asia, was widely introduced in the southeastern United States in the early 20th century to control soil erosion . The primary geomorphological effects of invasive animals are bioturbation , bioerosion , and bioconstruction. For example, invasions of
1932-479: Is one of the most problematic invasive plant species in eastern North American forests, where it is highly invasive of the understory , reducing the growth rate of tree seedlings and threatening to modify the forest's tree composition. Native species can be threatened with extinction through the process of genetic pollution . Genetic pollution is unintentional hybridization and introgression , which leads to homogenization or replacement of local genotypes as
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#17327657129402024-514: Is the main cause of introductions – other than for polar regions . Diseases may be vectored by invasive insects: the Asian citrus psyllid carries the bacterial disease citrus greening . The arrival of invasive propagules to a new site is a function of the site's invasibility. Many invasive species, once they are dominant in the area, become essential to the ecosystem of that area, and their removal could be harmful. Economics plays
2116-592: Is the spread of the West Nile virus , which killed humans, birds, mammals, and reptiles. The introduced Chinese mitten crabs are carriers of Asian lung fluke . Waterborne disease agents, such as cholera bacteria ( Vibrio cholerae ), and causative agents of harmful algal blooms are often transported via ballast water. Globally, invasive species management and control are substantial economic burdens, with expenditures reaching approximately $ 1.4 trillion annually. The economic impact of invasive alien species alone
2208-599: Is then folded over the top of the stone and the trench is then covered by soil. Groundwater seeps through the geotextile and flows through the stone to an outfell. In high groundwater conditions a perforated plastic ( PVC or PE ) pipe is laid along the base of the drain to increase the volume of water transported in the drain. Alternatively, a prefabricated plastic drainage system made of HDPE , often incorporating geotextile, coco fiber or rag filters can be considered. The use of these materials has become increasingly more common due to their ease of use, since they eliminate
2300-522: The Great Lakes via ballast water. These outcompete native organisms for oxygen and food, and can be transported in the small puddle left in a supposedly empty ballast tank. Regulations attempt to mitigate such risks, not always successfully. Climate change is causing an increase in ocean temperature . This in turn will cause range shifts in organisms, which could harm the environment as new species interactions occur. For example, organisms in
2392-531: The Netherlands . The area between Amsterdam , Haarlem and Leiden was, in prehistoric times, swampland and small lakes. Turf cutting ( peat mining ), subsidence and shoreline erosion gradually caused the formation of one large lake, the Haarlemmermeer , or lake of Haarlem. The invention of wind-powered pumping engines in the 15th century permitted some of the marginal land drainage. Still,
2484-656: The Ocmulgee National Monument , a National Park Service -administered protected area established in 1936. Europeans first explored the Ocmulgee basin in 1540, during the expedition of the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto and his party, who visited the late Mississippian chiefdom of Ichisi , now identified by archeologists as the floodplain south of Macon . The Ichisi served corncakes, wild onion , and roasted venison to De Soto and his party. Over
2576-599: The economic returns from invasive species are far less than the costs they impose. In the Great Lakes region the sea lamprey is an invasive species. In its original habitat, it had co-evolved as a parasite that did not kill its host. However, in the Great Lakes Region, it acts as a predator and can consume up to 40 pounds of fish in its 12–18 month feeding period. Sea lampreys prey on all types of large fish such as lake trout and salmon . The sea lampreys' destructive effects on large fish negatively affect
2668-844: The extinction of species, loss in biodiversity, and loss of ecosystem services , costs from impacts of invasive species would drastically increase. It is often argued that the key to invasive species management is early detection and rapid response. However, early response only helps when the invasive species is not frequently reintroduced into the managed area, and the cost of response is affordable. Weeds reduce yield in agriculture . Many weeds are accidental introductions that accompany imports of commercial seeds and plants. Introduced weeds in pastures compete with native forage plants, threaten young cattle (e.g., leafy spurge, Euphorbia virgata ) or are unpalatable because of thorns and spines (e.g., yellow starthistle ). Forage loss from invasive weeds on pastures amounts to nearly US$ 1 billion in
2760-406: The flatwoods citrus -growing region of Florida , United States. After periods of high rainfall, drainage pumps are employed to prevent damage to the citrus groves from overly wet soils. Rice production requires complete water control, as fields must be flooded or drained at different stages of the crop cycle. The Netherlands has also led the way in this type of drainage by draining lowlands along
2852-744: The spatial scale of invasion studies. Small-scale studies tended to show a negative relationship between diversity and invasion, while large-scale studies tended to show the reverse, perhaps a side-effect of invasives' ability to capitalize on increased resource availability and weaker species interactions that are more common when larger samples are considered. However, this pattern does not seem to hold true for invasive vertebrates. Island ecosystems may be more prone to invasion because their species face few strong competitors and predators, and because their distance from colonizing species populations makes them more likely to have "open" niches. For example, native bird populations on Guam have been decimated by
Ocmulgee River - Misplaced Pages Continue
2944-563: The "Ochese Creek Indians" (which the Spanish called "Uchese"), with a population of 2,406. Early 18th century maps show a total of twelve towns in the vicinity of Ochese Creek, many with names corresponding to towns that had been on the Chattahoochee River. The Muscogee -speaking towns of Coweta , Kasihta , Tuskegee, and Koloni were located on the north side of the cluster. Several of the Hitchiti -speaking towns were located to
3036-477: The 958 endangered species under the Endangered Species Act are at risk. The unintentional introduction of forest pest species and plant pathogens can change forest ecology and damage the timber industry . Overall, forest ecosystems in the U.S. are widely invaded by exotic pests, plants, and pathogens. The Asian long-horned beetle ( Anoplophora glabripennis ) was first introduced into
3128-489: The Altamaha shiner ( Cyprinella xaenura ) and two designated rare species, the goldstripe darter ( Etheostoma parvipinne ) and redeye chub ( Notropis harperi ). The Ocmulgee River is popular with anglers for its excellent fishing, particularly for redbreast sunfish , bluegill , redear sunfish , largemouth bass , black crappie , channel catfish , and flathead catfish . The world record for largest recorded catch of
3220-524: The California sea otter ( Enhydra lutris ). Invasive species appear to have specific traits or specific combinations of traits that allow them to outcompete native species . In some cases, the competition is about rates of growth and reproduction. In other cases, species interact with each other more directly. One study found that 86% of invasive species could be identified from such traits alone. Another study found that invasive species often had only
3312-498: The Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ) have resulted in higher bioturbation and bioerosion rates. A native species can become harmful and effectively invasive to its native environment after human alterations to its food web . This has been the case with the purple sea urchin ( Strongylocentrotus purpuratus ), which has decimated kelp forests along the northern California coast due to overharvesting of its natural predator,
3404-608: The Little Ocmulgee River Subbasin (03070105). The name of the river may have come from a Hitchiti words oki ("water") plus molki ("bubbling" or "boiling"), possibly meaning "where the water boils up." The river rises at a point in north central Georgia southeast of Atlanta , at the confluence of the Yellow , South , and Alcovy rivers. Since the construction of the Lloyd Shoals Dam in
3496-678: The Ochese Creek towns moved west, mostly returning to the Chattahoochee River, where they evolved into the Lower Towns of the Muscogee Confederacy (referred to by the English as the "Lower Creeks"). Eli Whitney 's invention of the cotton gin stimulated development of short-staple cotton plantations in the uplands, where it grew well. The gin mechanized processing of the cotton and made it profitable. Demand for land in
3588-455: The Ocmulgee River basin. The family with the largest representation in the river basin is Cyprinidae (carp and true minnows), with 27 species. It is followed by Centrarchidae (sunfish), which has 22 species. The Ocmulgee basin contains ten species in the family Ictaluridae (catfish) and eight species of in the family Catostomidae (suckers). The river basin is also inhabited by one State of Georgia-designated endangered fish species,
3680-605: The Ocmulgee basin about 10,000 to 15,000 years ago (see settlement of the Americas ). Scraping tools and flint spearpoints from nomadic Paleoindians hunters have been discovered in the Ocmulgee floodplain. In the Archaic period (c. 8000-1000 BCE) which followed, hunter-gatherers in Ocmulgee basin used fiber- tempered pottery and stone tools . During the Woodland period (c. 1000 BCE-900 CE), there were various villages in
3772-883: The Southeast increased, as well as demand for slave labor in the Deep South. In 1806, the U.S. acquired the area between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers from the Creek Indians by the First Treaty of Washington . That same year United States Army established Fort Benjamin Hawkins overlooking the Ocmulgee Fields. In 1819 the Creek held their last meeting at Ocmulgee Fields. they ceded this territory in 1821. In
Ocmulgee River - Misplaced Pages Continue
3864-522: The U.S. A decline in pollinator services and loss of fruit production has been caused by honey bees infected by the invasive varroa mite . Introduced rats ( Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus ) have become serious pests on farms, destroying stored grains. The introduction of leaf miner flies ( Agromyzidae ), including the American serpentine leaf miner ( Liriomyza trifolii ), to California has caused losses in California's floriculture industry, as
3956-549: The U.S. in 1996, and was expected to infect and damage millions of acres of hardwood trees. As of 2005 thirty million dollars had been spent in attempts to eradicate this pest and protect millions of trees in the affected regions. The woolly adelgid has inflicted damage on old-growth spruce, fir and hemlock forests and damages the Christmas tree industry. Chestnut blight and Dutch elm disease are plant pathogens with serious impacts. Garlic mustard, Alliaria petiolata ,
4048-591: The alteration in ecosystem functionality (due to homogenization of biota communities), invasive species have resulted in negative effects on human well-being, which includes reduced resource availability, unrestrained spread of human diseases, recreational and educational activities, and tourism. Alien species have caused diseases including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), monkey pox , and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Invasive species and accompanying control efforts can have long term public health implications. For instance, pesticides applied to treat
4140-621: The ancestors of Equus ferus (modern horses) evolved in North America and radiated to Eurasia before becoming extinct in North America. Upon being introduced to North America in 1493 by Spanish conquistadors , it is debatable whether the feral horses were native or exotic to the continent of their evolutionary ancestors. While invasive species can be studied within many subfields of biology, most research on invasive organisms has been in ecology and biogeography . Much of
4232-630: The area, evidenced by earthen mounds and pottery sherds . There is evidence that the Mississippian culture reached the Ocmulgee basin by 900 CE; according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia , "on the Macon plateau and in the nearby Ocmulgee bottomlands, stretches of farmsteads and gardens constructed around elaborate ceremonial mounds are the most prominent evidence of this early Mississippian influence." These areas are now part of
4324-412: The areas of permeable surface on the side of the streets. Because of the plantings, the run off water from the urban area does not all directly go into the ground, but can also be absorbed into the surrounding environment. Monitoring conducted by Seattle Public Utilities reports a 99 percent reduction of storm water leaving the drainage project. Drainage has undergone a large-scale environmental review in
4416-478: The availability of resources determines the impact of additional species on the ecosystem. Stable ecosystems have a resource equilibrium, which can be changed fundamentally by the arrival of invasive species. When changes such as a forest fire occur, normal ecological succession favors native grasses and forbs . An introduced species that can spread faster than natives can outcompete native species for food, squeezing them out. Nitrogen and phosphorus are often
4508-467: The behaviour of herbivores , impacting on other species. Some, like Kalanchoe daigremontana , produce allelopathic compounds that inhibit competitors. Others like Stapelia gigantea facilitate the growth of seedlings of other species in arid environments by providing appropriate microclimates and preventing herbivores from eating seedlings. Changes in fire regimens are another form of facilitation. Bromus tectorum , originally from Eurasia,
4600-507: The business-as-usual scenario (which is important as Cape Town experiences significant water scarcity ). This is the equivalent to one-sixth of the city's current supply needs. These annual gains will double within 30 years. The catchment restoration is significantly more cost-effective then other water augmentation solutions (1/10 the unit cost of alternative options). A water fund has been established, and these exotic species are being eradicated. Invasive species can affect human health. With
4692-683: The confluence near Lumber city and Hazelhurst, encompassing approximately 200 miles. Four power plants in the Ocmulgee basin that use the river's water, including the coal-fired Plant Scherer in Juliette , operated by the Georgia Power Company . Plant Scherer is the seventh-largest power plant in the United States by capacity (based on 2016 data), and the largest to be fueled exclusively by coal. A diverse array of fish—105 species in twenty-one families —inhabit
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#17327657129404784-428: The construction process, they set out all the necessary levels for roads , street gutters , drainage, culverts and sewers involved in construction operations. Civil engineers and construction managers work alongside architects and supervisors, planners, quantity surveyors , and the general workforce, as well as subcontractors. Typically, most jurisdictions have some body of drainage law to govern to what degree
4876-511: The densities of native forage plants, declining the habitat-use by wild herbivores and threatening the long-term sustenance of dependent carnivores, including the tiger . Invasive species can change the functions of ecosystems. For example, invasive plants can alter the fire regime (cheatgrass, Bromus tectorum ), nutrient cycling (smooth cordgrass Spartina alterniflora ), and hydrology ( Tamarix ) in native ecosystems. Invasive species that are closely related to rare native species have
4968-406: The drain. Geotextiles are synthetic textile fabrics specially manufactured for civil and environmental engineering applications. Geotextiles are designed to retain fine soil particles while allowing water to pass through. In a typical drainage system, they would be laid along a trench which would then be filled with coarse granular material : gravel , sea shells , stone or rock . The geotextile
5060-402: The drainage system. Drainage in planters refers to the implementation of effective drainage systems specifically designed for plant containers or pots. Proper drainage is crucial in planters to prevent waterlogging and promote healthy plant growth. Planter Drainage involves the incorporation of drainage holes, drainage layers, or specialized drainage systems to ensure excess water can escape from
5152-692: The early 20th century, these rivers join as arms of the Jackson Lake reservoir . The river's source is formed at an elevation of around 530 feet above sea level . The Ocmulgee River flows from the dam southeast past Macon , which was founded on the Fall Line . It joins the Oconee from the northwest (241 miles downstream from Jackson Lake) to form the Altamaha near Lumber City . The Ocmulgee River Water Trail begins from Macon's Amerson River Park to
5244-436: The expense to monitor, control, manage, and research invasive weed species is approximately AU$ 116.4 million per year, with costs directed solely to central and local government. While in some cases, invasive species may offer economic benefits, such as the potential for commercial forestry from invasive trees, these benefits are generally overshadowed by the substantial costs associated with biological invasions. In most cases,
5336-563: The field lacks any official designation but is commonly referred to as "invasion ecology" or more generally "invasion biology". This lack of standard terminology has arisen due to the interdisciplinary nature of the field which borrows terms from disciplines such as agriculture , zoology , and pathology , as well as due to studies being performed in isolation. In an attempt to avoid the ambiguous, subjective, and pejorative vocabulary that so often accompanies discussion of invasive species even in scientific papers, Colautti and MacIsaac proposed
5428-399: The final drainage of the lake had to await the design of large steam-powered pumps and agreements between regional authorities. The lake was eliminated between 1849 and 1852, creating thousands of km of new land. Coastal plains and river deltas may have seasonally or permanently high water tables and must have drainage improvements if they are to be used for agriculture. An example is
5520-629: The fishing industry and have helped cause the collapse of the population of some species. Economic costs from invasive species can be separated into direct costs through production loss in agriculture and forestry, and management costs. Estimated damage and control costs of invasive species in the U.S. amount to more than $ 138 billion annually. Economic losses can occur through loss of recreational and tourism revenues. When economic costs of invasions are calculated as production loss and management costs, they are low because they do not consider environmental damage; if monetary values were assigned to
5612-446: The governments of California and New Zealand have announced more stringent control for vessel hull fouling within their respective jurisdictions. Another vector of non-native aquatic species is ballast water taken up at sea and released in port by transoceanic vessels. Some 10,000 species are transported via ballast water each day. Many of these are harmful. For example, freshwater zebra mussels from Eurasia most likely reached
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#17327657129405704-489: The individual to its environment. Pre-adaptations and evolution after the introduction reinforce the success of the introduced species. The enemy release hypothesis states that evolution leads to ecological balance in every ecosystem. No single species can occupy a majority of an ecosystem due to the presences of competitors, predators, and diseases. Introduced species moved to a novel habitat can become invasive, with rapid population growth, when these controls do not exist in
5796-636: The introductions of the amethyst gem clam and the European green crab . The gem clam was introduced into California's Bodega Harbor from the US East Coast a century ago. On its own, it never displaced native clams ( Nutricola spp.). In the mid-1990s, the introduction of the European green crab resulted in an increase of the amethyst gem at the expense of the native clams. In India, multiple invasive plants have invaded 66% of natural areas, reducing
5888-538: The invaded habitats and bioregions adversely, causing ecological, environmental, or economic damage. The European Union defines "Invasive Alien Species" as those that are outside their natural distribution area, and that threaten biological diversity . Biotic invasion is one of the five top drivers for global biodiversity loss , and is increasing because of tourism and globalization . This may be particularly true in inadequately regulated fresh water systems, though quarantines and ballast water rules have improved
5980-646: The invasive brown tree snake . In New Zealand the first invasive species were the dogs and rats brought by Polynesian settlers around 1300. These and other introductions devastated endemic New Zealand species. The colonization of Madagascar brought similar harm to its ecosystems. Logging has caused harm directly by destroying habitat, and has allowed non-native species such as prickly pear and silver wattle to invade. The water hyacinth forms dense mats on water surfaces, limiting light penetration and hence harming aquatic organisms, and causing substantial management costs. The shrub lantana ( Lantana camara )
6072-575: The land until replacements can be established. In each of these cases, appropriate drainage carries off temporary flushes of water to prevent damage to annual or perennial crops. Drier areas are often farmed by irrigation , and one would not consider drainage necessary. However, irrigation water always contains minerals and salts , which can be concentrated to toxic levels by evapotranspiration . Irrigated land may need periodic flushes with excessive irrigation water and drainage to control soil salinity . Invasive species An invasive species
6164-443: The limiting factors in these situations. Every species occupies an ecological niche in its native ecosystem; some species fill large and varied roles, while others are highly specialized. Invading species may occupy unused niches, or create new ones. For example, edge effects describe what happens when part of an ecosystem is disturbed, as when land is cleared for agriculture . The boundary between remaining undisturbed habitat and
6256-420: The major cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro had access to water and drainage facilities. Waste water was directed to covered gravity sewers , which lined the major streets. The invention of hollow-pipe drainage is credited to Sir Hugh Dalrymple, who died in 1753. New storm water drainage systems incorporate geotextile filters that retain and prevent fine grains of soil from passing into and clogging
6348-414: The need for further pipework systems to be installed in parallel to the drainage, reducing the environmental impact of production as well as improving water collection. Stainless steel , concrete channel, PVC and HDPE are all materials available for slot drainage which have become industry standards on construction projects. The civil engineer is responsible for drainage in construction projects. During
6440-461: The need for transporting and laying stone drainage aggregate, which is invariably more expensive than a synthetic drain and concrete liners. Over the past 30 years, geotextile, PVC filters, and HDPE filters have become the most commonly used soil filter media. They are cheap to produce and easy to lay, with factory controlled properties that ensure long term filtration performance even in fine silty soil conditions. Seattle's Public Utilities created
6532-635: The new ecosystem. Non-native species have many vectors , but most are associated with human activity. Natural range extensions are common, but humans often carry specimens faster and over greater distances than natural forces. An early human vector occurred when prehistoric humans introduced the Pacific rat ( Rattus exulans ) to Polynesia. Vectors include plants or seeds imported for horticulture . The pet trade moves animals across borders, where they can escape and become invasive. Organisms stow away on transport vehicles. Incidental human assisted transfer
6624-523: The new environment may host fewer able competitors, allowing the invader to proliferate. Ecosystems used to their fullest capacity by native species can be modeled as zero-sum systems, in which any gain for the invader is a loss for the native. However, such unilateral competitive superiority (and extinction of native species with increased populations of the invader) is not the rule. An invasive species might be able to use resources previously unavailable to native species, such as deep water accessed by
6716-528: The newly cleared land itself forms a distinct habitat, creating new winners and losers and possibly hosting species that would not thrive outside the boundary habitat. In 1958, Charles S. Elton claimed that ecosystems with higher species diversity were less subject to invasive species because fewer niches remained unoccupied. Other ecologists later pointed to highly diverse, but heavily invaded ecosystems, arguing that ecosystems with high species diversity were more susceptible to invasion. This debate hinged on
6808-621: The next hundred years, however, the Native Americans in the area were devastated from disease and chaos following European contact . Between 1689 and 1692, a number of towns of the Apalachicola Province located on the Chattahoochee River moved to central Georgia, settling in the area of the Ocmulgee River, which the English at the time called Ochese Creek. In 1715, the English recorded ten towns among
6900-564: The path of groundwater. When groundwater flow is obstructed, hydrostatic water pressure buildups against the wall and may cause significant damage. If the water pressure is not drained appropriately, retaining walls can bow, move, and fracture, causing seams to separate. The water pressure can also erode soil particles, leading to voids behind the wall and sinkholes in the above soil. Traditional retaining wall drainage systems can include French drains , drain pipes or weep holes . To prevent soil erosion, geotextile filter fabrics are installed with
6992-476: The pathways of hundreds of marine invasive species and found that shipping was the dominant mechanism for the transfer of invasive species. Many marine organisms can attach themselves to vessel hulls. Such organisms are easily transported from one body of water to another, and are a significant risk factor for a biological invasion event. Controlling for vessel hull fouling is voluntary and there are no regulations currently in place to manage hull fouling. However,
7084-762: The planter. This helps to prevent root rot , water accumulation, and other issues that can negatively impact plant health. By providing adequate drainage in planters, it supports optimal plant growth and contributes to the overall success of gardening or landscaping projects. Drainage options for the planter include: Wetland soils may need drainage to be used for agriculture . In the northern United States and Europe, glaciation created numerous small lakes , which gradually filled with humus to make marshes . Some of these were drained using open ditches and trenches to make mucklands , which are primarily used for high-value crops such as vegetables . The world's largest project of this type has been in process for centuries in
7176-472: The potential to hybridize with the native species. Harmful effects of hybridization have led to a decline and even extinction of native species. For example, hybridization with introduced cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora , threatens the existence of California cordgrass ( Spartina foliosa ) in San Francisco Bay . Invasive species cause competition for native species and because of this 400 of
7268-540: The recent past in the United Kingdom. Sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) are designed to encourage contractors to install drainage system that more closely mimic the natural flow of water in nature. Since 2010 local and neighbourhood planning in the UK is required by law to factor SUDS into any development projects that they are responsible for. Slot drainage is a channel drainage system designed to eliminate
7360-584: The river after heavy rains caused widespread damage around Macon. Major creeks that flow into the Ocmulgee River include: Drainage Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of a surface's water and sub-surface water from an area with excess water. The internal drainage of most agricultural soils can prevent severe waterlogging (anaerobic conditions that harm root growth), but many soils need artificial drainage to improve production or to manage water supplies. The Indus Valley Civilization had sewerage and drainage systems. All houses in
7452-858: The river basin. According to a Georgia Department of Natural Resources report, "many of these species are well-established and are detrimental to native fish populations. The fifteen invasives are threadfin shad ( Dorosoma petenense ), goldfish ( Carassius auratus ), grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ), blacktail shiner ( Cyprinella venusta ); common carp ( Cyprinus carpio ); flathead catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris ); white bass ( Morone chrysops ); morone hybrids ( Morone sp.); green sunfish ( Lepomis cyanellus ); longear sunfish ( Lepomis megalotis ); Lepomis hybrids ( Lepomis sp.); shoal bass ( Micropterus cataractae ); spotted bass ( Micropterus punctulatus ); white crappie ( Pomoxis annularis ); and yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ). Archeological evidence shows that Native Americans first inhabited
7544-410: The roots eliminates air movement through the soil. Other soils may have an impervious layer of mineralized soil, called a hardpan , or relatively impervious rock layers may underlie shallow soils. Drainage is especially important in tree fruit production. Soils that are otherwise excellent may be waterlogged for a week of the year, which is sufficient to kill fruit trees and cost the productivity of
7636-490: The same year, the McCall brother established a barge-building operation at Macon. The first steamboat arrived on the river in 1829. During the 19th century, the river provided the principal water navigation route for Macon, allowing the development of the cotton industry in the surrounding region. In 1842 the river was connected by railroad to Savannah . The river froze from bank to bank in 1886. In 1994 devastating floods on
7728-404: The shore and pushing back the sea until the original nation has been greatly enlarged. In moist climates, soils may be adequate for cropping with the exception that they become waterlogged for brief periods each year, from snow melt or from heavy rains . Soils that are predominantly clay will pass water very slowly downward. Meanwhile, plant roots suffocate because the excessive water around
7820-412: The situation. Invasive species may drive local native species to extinction via competitive exclusion, niche displacement, or hybridisation with related native species. Therefore, besides their economic ramifications, alien invasions may result in extensive changes in the structure, composition and global distribution of the biota at sites of introduction, leading ultimately to the homogenisation of
7912-669: The southern part of the Ochese Creek cluster, including Ocmulgee, Hitchiti, and Osuchi. Two Muskogee-speaking towns from the Tallapoosa River in Alabama, Atasi and Kealedji, joined the cluster of towns around Ochese Creek, as did the Hitchiti-speaking town of Chiaha from western North Carolina. The Ochese Creek cluster also included Westo and Yuchi towns. Following the outbreak of the Yamassee War in 1715,
8004-499: The spread of biological invasions, mitigate further impacts, and restore affected ecosystems. For example, the damage caused by 79 invasive species between 1906 and 1991 in the United States has been estimated at US$ 120 billion. Similarly, in China , invasive species have been reported to reduce the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.36% per year. The management of biological invasions can be costly. In Australia , for instance,
8096-711: The subset of established non-native alien or naturalized species that are a threat to native species and biodiversity. The term "invasive" is poorly defined and often very subjective. Invasive species may be plants, animals, fungi, and microbes; some include native species that have invaded human habitats such as farms and landscapes. Some broaden the term to include indigenous or "native" species that have colonized natural areas. Some sources name Homo sapiens as an invasive species, but broad appreciation of human learning capacity and their behavioral potential and plasticity may argue against any such fixed categorization. The definition of "native" can be controversial. For example,
8188-502: The work has been influenced by Charles Elton's 1958 book The Ecology of Invasion by Animals and Plants which creates a generalized picture of biological invasions. Studies remained sparse until the 1990s. This research, largely field observational studies, has disproportionately been concerned with terrestrial plants . The rapid growth of the field has driven a need to standardize the language used to describe invasive species and events. Despite this, little standard terminology exists;
8280-405: The world's fauna and flora and the loss of biodiversity . It is difficult to unequivocally attribute extinctions to a species invasion, though there is for example strong evidence that the extinction of about 90 amphibian species was caused by the chytrid fungus spread by international trade. Multiple successive introductions of different non-native species can worsen the total effect, as with
8372-416: Was estimated to exceed $ 423 billion annually as of 2019. This cost has exhibited a significant increase, quadrupling every decade since 1970, underscoring the escalating financial implications of these biological invasions. Invasive species contribute to ecological degradation , altering ecosystem functionality and reducing the services ecosystems provide. This necessitates additional expenditures to control
8464-470: Was introduced in the San Francisco Bay and hybridized with native Spartina foliosa . The higher pollen count and male fitness of the invading species resulted in introgression that threatened the native populations due to lower pollen counts and lower viability of the native species. Reduction in fitness is not always apparent from morphological observations alone. Some degree of gene flow
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