Invasive Species

Zebra mussel larvae were recently detected in the Colorado River. What does that mean for the 40 million people who depend on the river for drinking water and agriculture in Western states? And what can the state do about it?

The Catch Up is your weekly way to get all the headlines and stories from KUNC in one place.

Inspectors at Lake Tahoe recently discovered a new aquatic invasive species on a boat before it launched, sparking regional concerns. Officials say the incident serves as a reminder that people across the Mountain West should be on alert.

New cleaning stations in key areas of the state aim to remove the risk of aquatic nuisance species. This includes invasive mussels that can heavily damage ecosystems in lakes and reservoirs.

Invasive species are among the biggest drivers of biodiversity losses around the world. They’re also increasingly affecting tribal lands, and climate change is making it worse.

Western forests are taking longer to grow back after wildfires. That’s partly because climate change has made it harder for new trees to survive where the old trees would have thrived. One researcher at CSU wants to address the problem by planting entirely different species of trees after a wildfire. You can learn more on today’s In the NoCo.

The Emerald Ash Borer is now widespread in Fort Collins and is destroying ash trees.

Quagga or zebra mussels have been detected in every state in the region except for Wyoming and New Mexico.

Grand Valley water managers have a plan to nip a potential zebra mussel infestation in the bud, with one irrigation district beginning treatment of its water this fall. Mesa County plans to apply on behalf of the irrigation districts and water providers for more than $4 million in funding, which will come from the remaining $450 million of Inflation Reduction Act funding for projects in the Colorado River’s Upper Basin.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the second biggest threat to biodiversity is invasive species preceded only by habitat loss. Invasive plants are spread by natural forces, like wind and wildfire, and largely in part, by unknowing humans. Reporter Lily Jones has more to the story.