The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state’s lead agency for hydrilla control since July 1, 2008, faces a daunting challenge. It not only manages the spread of non-native hydrilla by spraying herbicides to maintain waterways for boating navigation and flood control. It also must consider the wants of Florida residents while keeping the
When it comes to their role in aquatic ecosystems, exotic water plants are generally no different than indigenous species. In fact, they can be an asset. That doesn’t mean all exotic species should be given free rein. But they can be managed more effectively if you focus on their properties and not their place of
The squishy green stuff at the bottom of the lake isn’t algae. Those are weeds, and though people seem to hate the feeling of their feet touching them, those weeds might be necessary for the health of the lake. According to Greenwood County Lake Manager Julie Davis, Greenwood County Lake Management surveys and inspects the
Water chestnuts are fast-growing invasive aquatic plants that choke waterways, damaging recreational opportunities and natural habitats. These plants displace native species, reduce biodiversity, hamper recreational uses and diminish the aesthetic value of bodies of water. They can negatively impact native vegetation and fish populations by forming large dense mats of vegetation on the water surface,
While officials admit that glyphosate is only a small part of the problem with algae blooms on Lake Okeechobee in Florida, they do believe that their decision to temporarily suspend the use of aquatic plant killers was a “necessary call.” Glyphosate is widely used in Lake Okeechobee to kill invasive species and leaves deposits of
The Wharf is part of the great wall of the Chesapeake Bay. Development along the bay and its rivers, vast swaths of soft shorelines have been turned into stone and below the river’s surface, animals that depend on vegetation in the water may continue to struggle, marine scientists say. If the trend continues, numerous species
If you notice a decrease in the water level at Twin Lakes in Alaska — despite this week’s drizzly weather — it’s because the City and Borough of Juneau’s Parks and Recreation Department and the Alaska Department of Fish & Game are draining the lakes to control milfoil, an invasive aquatic weed. The lakes are
A study published in the September issue of BioScience, estimates that by 2050 , eighty-six species of fish may be extinct. That rate is 877 times higher than normal and has been accelerating in the past 20 years leading study author, Noel M. Burkhead of the U.S. Geological Survey to believe that “something’s up.” Many
