European frog-bit is a plant that can cause negative impacts on wetland ecosystems

This $100,000 Cooperative Agreement awarded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (CFDA 15.630 - Coastal Program) will support a coastal wetlands project focused on European frog-bit invasive species management in the Straits of Mackinac region of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The project, led by the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District, aims to enhance 20 acres of wetlands through invasive species removal, protect 700 acres of wetlands through monitoring activities, and conduct 8 outreach and education events to at least 200 individuals. Key activities include conducting waterfowl and marsh bird surveys, environmental surveys at coastal wetlands, responding to new invasive species threats, implementing European frog-bit management and prevention, and providing public education to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. The project will lay the foundation for a future peer-reviewed research article or report on the effects of European frog-bit infestations on waterfowl and marsh bird communities.

The dense floating mats formed by european frog-bit change the water column in a way that affects food webs, macroinvertebrate communities, and the growth of submergent plants while limiting human recreation activity opportunities. Its been hypothesized that the effects of european frog-bit expand into altering waterfowl and marsh bird communities, leading to a need to investigate the question are waterfowl and marsh bird communities affected by european frog-bit infestations? Through this project proposal, we hope to investigate this question further, while also taking active management actions to prevent the further spread of european frog-bit in the straits of mackinac. The michigan environment great lakes and energy miej screen technical report (kruse ET AL. 2022), reveals that the project focal area falls within the 71ST percentile for socioeconomic factors relating to low income, typically resulting in underserved populations that face unemployment and housing burdens. One primary cause may be the relation that the region is highly dependent on tourist spending. Mackinac county, located in the project focal region, is the highest tourist spending region in the entire upper peninsula of michigan (tourism economic impact report 2021), and tourists from across the country visit mackinac county to enjoy its diverse recreational opportunities, ranging from diverse wildlife viewing, vast hunting opportunities, and miles of pristine shoreline for kayaking opportunities. However, the spread of european frog-bit throughout the region is adversely affecting these recreational opportunities and changing the natural, pristine landscape. This invasive species threatens aquatic biodiversity, and changing global climate factors such as longer growing seasons increase the risk of its spread. By treating european frog-bit and other high-priority invasive species in this project, we aim to protect and enhance coastal wetlands for habitat resiliency, benefiting hundreds of species and creating recreational opportunities for thousands of tourists upon whom the underserved community of mackinac county relies upon. Furthermore, our project aims to evaluate the effect of european frog-bit infestations on waterfowl and marsh bird populations, which will aid wildlife managers in taking action to increase waterfowl hunting opportunities for underserved communities.project activities will occur across 30 coastal wetlands within the eastern upper peninsula section of the straits of mackinac focal region. The project will focus on wetlands between the mackinac bridge (45.847277, -84.744518) and the detour peninsula (45.955101, -83.916817). Each site monitored and managed will consist of emergent coastal wetlands occurring on the shoreline of lake huron. Primary activities will include conducting waterfowl and marshbird surveys, conducting environmental surveys at monitored coastal wetlands and responding to new invasive species threats found during monitoring activities, conducting european frog-bit management and prevention of new infestations and spreading, and providing education through public outreach events to prevent the accidental spread of european frog-bit and other aquatic invasive species. Expected project results include enhancing 20 acres of wetlands through invasive species removal, protecting 700 acres of wetlands through monitoring activities, conducting 8 outreach and education events to educate at least 200 individuals. This work will also lay the foundation for a future peer-reviewed research article or report.