What do you do when exotic plant species are soaking up your water supplies due to their thirst for water? We know the precious commodity is needed for human populations and when the exotic species grows out or control it threatens to strangle the regions water supplies. Well some had considered harvesting the plants and turn the cellulose content into ethanol, which in theory is a good idea? Only there are a few problems with this;

• There is a whole lot of this plant
• It is growing in an area not near any ethanol processing plants
• Ethanol processing plants also use water, but the region has little extra
• The Cellulose content is not that high
• Transporting the water logged plant is unworkable
• Harvesting the plant would mean expensive equipment
• The problem is real and it is in crisis situation right now

So what is the answer to get this exotic plant (Saltcedar or Tamarix) out of there? Well in East Asia where the plant is from there is a beetle which eats it, so the Aggies over at Texas A and M are working with the Texas Riparian Invasive Plants Task Force to bring un this Asian Beetle to eat it.

Why is this such a big issue you ask? Well simple really the plant takes about 4 feet per year off the river water levels of the Pecos River and along the West Texas banks of the Colorado. Why is this plant species even here? Well originally it was used to prevent erosion of the banks, but if it is not stopped it will own the water and the river.

One more lesson that everything in nature is inter-related and linear solutions lead to the law of unintended consequences so maybe this Asia Beetle will now complete the food chain loop and complete the cycle. Consider all this in 2006.