Oenanthe javanica has the potential for moderate environmental impact if introduced to the Great Lakes. Oenanthe javanica is susceptible to sclerotinia rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum which it can pass from host to host (Kwon et al. 2003). Over 1400 species worldwide are susceptible to sclerotinia rot. The species has also been identified as a second intermediate host of fascioliasis causing species (aka liver flukes), which primarily impacts ungulates but can infect humans as well (Choi et al. 2015). The species has been found to have allelopathic effects on strains of Microcystis spp. (Zhao et al. 2013, Zhang et al 2015). While literature does not explicitly state that the species will outcompete native species in the Great Lakes Basin, it has been noted as a dominant macrophyte in India and formed a monoculture in a Wisconsin drainage ditch (Seely 2011, Devi and Singh 2016). The species also inhibited the growth of two Microcystis spp., demonstrating its allelopathic potential (Zhang et al. 2015). Furthermore, the species is likely to alter the hydrology of small streams when it does form dense mats. This may alter stream flow, disturb the air-to-water interface and reduce dissolved oxygen levels, and alter predator-prey interactions.
Oenanthe javanica has the potential for moderate socioeconomic impact if introduced to the Great Lakes.
O. javanica is sold commercially through specialty supermarkets and aquarium stores. The species is also a carrier for several harmful species of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus (Kim et al. 2014). This creates the potential for humans to contract various illnesses associated with the aforementioned species. This species is also used in the phytoremediation of wastewater and heavy metals. However, if individual plants which have bioaccumulated heavy metals aren’t removed from the ecosystem, those metals may be released back into the environment when the older roots and shoots decay (Zhou and Wang 2010).
Oenanthe javanica has the potential for high beneficial impact if introduced to the Great Lakes.
Environmental engineers frequently include O. javanica in floating wetland and other natural phytoremediation systems due to its ability to bioaccumulate phosphorus and nitrogen while lowering levels of chemical oxygen demand (Chen et al. 2017, Du et al. 2018, Du et al. 2020, Gao et al. 2020, Sun et al. 2021, Gao et al. 2022). The species will also bioaccumulate various heavy metals, such as cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc but some studies suggest that bioaccumulating these heavy metals negatively impact the growth of O. javanica (Deng et al. 2006, 2009, Dong et al. 2016, Zanin et al. 2018, Liu et al. 2020).
The species is also sold in specialty supermarkets and aquarium stores, thus contributing to local economies.
The species also possesses significant research value as scientists have begun to study O. javanica, which has a long history of use as a medicinal herb. Traditionally used to treat inflammation and fevers, recent studies have demonstrated the potential for O. javanica extracts to be used in treatments for Parkinson’s, UVB ray exposure, tetrodotoxin poisoning, and various chronic health conditions (Kim et al. 2009, Kim et al. 2013, Ku et al. 2013, Ku et al. 2013, Chan et al. 2017, Her et al. 2019, Jang et al. 2019, Gam et al. 2022).
Ecologically, the species is a preferred plant for the oviposition of Dytiscus sharpi eggs and may have beneficial effects for native diving beetles (Inoda 2011).