Nature
Experts Say Lake Palestine is Now Infested With Salvinia
According to the Bullard Banner News, Lake Palestine near Tyler, Texas is infested with an invasive species of plant called giant salvinia, also known as Salvinia molesta. This plant is native to Brazil, but it can now be found “…near the rear of Saline Bay, past the bridge located on Farm-to-Market Rd. 344.”
When the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department discovered the issues, they worked with the local law enforcement and River Authority to contain the area of Lake Palestine where the plant has run amok. Just like with the zebra mussels, boat owners must thoroughly check and clean their boats after they visit any body of water so as not to spread these invasive species. The Bullard Banner News even writes that it’s “…illegal to transport giant salvinia on boat trailers, boat motors, or live wells.”
TexasInvasives.org writes that since giant salvinia floats on top of the water in chains that form “dense mats,” the plant will overly shade native species in the water and reduce oxygen levels, making it an ecological threat. Of course, the “mats” also negatively impact boats and pipes. The invasive plant was first discovered in Texas in 1997 and has been a nuisance/threat ever since.
