Monitoring and management of starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) in Wisconsin lakes

Speakers: Michelle Nault, Heidi Bunk, and Amy Kretlow

Starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa; SSW) was first reported in the U.S. in the 1970’s and has since been documented in portions of the eastern Great Lakes as well as various inland lakes throughout the Midwest.  In September 2014, Wisconsin DNR staff discovered a small established population of SSW in a southeastern Wisconsin lake, marking the first time this non-native macroalgae had been reported in the state.  Since then, SSW has been verified in over a dozen inland lakes in Wisconsin, as well as coastal portions of Green Bay and northern Lake Michigan.  This presentation will highlight the statewide monitoring and management efforts which have occurred after the initial discovery, including an evaluation of management efficacy following the implementation of a variety of techniques (e.g., chemical control, drawdown, hand-removal, DASH, etc.) to control this new invader.