BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Green-Wood Cemetery, a renowned landmark in Brooklyn known for its beauty and historical significance, is under siege by an invasive species that poses a significant threat to one of its largest ponds.
The delicate yellow floating water primrose, a creeping invader, has taken root in Sylvan Water, jeopardizing the pond's ecosystem and putting a vital stormwater management project at risk.
Nanci Fioravanti, Green-Wood's Landscape Manager, discovered the presence of the invasive species during a routine site check. Recognizing the urgent need for action, the cemetery secured a grant of $20,000 from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to combat the primrose infestation.
Fioravanti highlighted the multiple threats posed by the invasive plant, including choking the pond with dense mats that block sunlight and oxygen, suffocating aquatic life, and hindering the growth of native plants.
Of particular concern is the potential for the primrose to spread rapidly and impact not only Sylvan Water but also spill over into Brooklyn's waterways. This risk is heightened by plans to use Sylvan Water as a key component of Green-Wood's stormwater management project, aimed at reducing reliance on the city's water system and mitigating stormwater runoff into overwhelmed sewers.
The project, scheduled to commence this summer, aims to wipe out the invasive plant and safeguard the long-term health of Sylvan Water.
Fioravanti stressed the interconnectedness of ecosystems, emphasizing that actions taken in one area can have far-reaching consequences for others.
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