Water plague on Lake Werders: swimmers hesitate for plant growth!

Water plague on Lake Werders: swimmers hesitate for plant growth!

Am Werdersee in Bremen, the bathers have made some unexpected encounters with nature in the past few weeks. A girl, playing happily in the water, suddenly screamed: "The algae touch my butt!" This was the starting signal for an intensive discussion about the dense spread of aquatic plants, which made some swimmers hesitantly. However, the environmental authority quickly made it clear that it is not algae, but the invasive water plague, a plant that has its origin in North America and has been spreading into Werdersee since autumn of last year. It now extends to the water surface, which ensures uncertainty among bathers.

The environmental authority announced that the water spill is not poisonous and the water quality is not affected. Rather, it produces oxygen and offers habitat for fish. "Aquatic plants are fundamentally important for our ecosystem," emphasizes Ramona Schlee, spokeswoman for the Bremen environmental resort. However, the water plague can displace domestic plant species, which could lead to problems in the long term. At the moment, however, experts cannot assess exactly how strongly the biodiversity is threatened because an examination of the ecological aspects is running.

measures to contain the spread

In order to counteract the over -hands of the water plague, the city plans to free part of the lake from these plants. The authorities recommend that the swimmers only use the official bathing area at the DLRG location, whereby a commissioned company has already started activities to remove the water spest on the north bank. Private individuals have already acted in the non -swimmer area and removed plants, so that the water there is now relatively free of water plague.

The water plague spreads much faster in Werdersee than in other Bremen waters. There are currently no excessive plant growth in other lakes, which makes the situation at Werdersee all the more remarkable. It is also examined whether similar measures to remove as in the Baldenaysee in Essen - where special boats are used to combat. The water plague could have taken into the water by careless measures, possibly by garden lovers who have exposed plants from aquariums, or by animals and water sports enthusiasts.

A look at invasive species

The water plague belongs to a series of so -called neophytes, plants that did not originally appeared in an area but can settle stable. Such invasive plants are known to multiply rapidly and displace local species, which can lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem. In the EU there are special regulations that aim to control and prevent the spread of invasive species. The ongoing efforts range from monitoring to combating invasive plants, whereby the water plague is now under intensive observation.

While the municipal and environmentally conscious initiatives continue, it remains to be seen which measures are ultimately implemented to ensure bathing pleasure and biodiversity in Lake Werdersee. One thing is certain: the plague of water has come to stay and people have to learn to deal with it.

For further details on the developments at Werdersee, interested parties can report the reports on Weser-Kurier , Buten and inner and Read aquatic plant