Lakes and wetlands across the United States are facing a big problem — the loss of important aquatic plants. One example is Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina, where underwater plants have almost disappeared. This loss is hurting the lake’s health and the many birds that depend on it. Aquatic plants are very important for keeping
Aquatic plants play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems, offering essential habitats for fish and supporting a wide range of ecosystem services. Known as macrophytes, these plants grow in or around water and can either be rooted in soil or float, with some being partially or fully submerged. Researchers from Michigan State University surveyed 78
An explosion of water chestnut is starting to choke the Sudbury River in Massachusetts to the point it’s nearly impossible to take a boat out. The Sudbury River in Framingham is just one spot in MetroWest and the Milford area under attack by aquatic weeds – invasive plants that experts say are changing the landscape,
In Minneapolis, the park district’s mechanical harvester has been mowing Eurasian watermilfoil in the Chain of Lakes since before Memorial Day. It began several weeks earlier than usual, said Deb Pilger, director of environmental operations, due to the warm and early-starting spring that caused a healthy crop of invasive aquatic weed growth. The Lake Minnetonka
Warmer weather and water temperatures are spurring the growth of aquatic plants across Wisconsin and increasing calls from waterfront property owners for help in controlling the plants. State aquatic plant specialists encourage property owners to contact the Department of Natural Resources before taking steps to reduce or control the plants. The plants provide important fish
Forty-one towns in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, Brazil were affected when the Fundão iron mine tailings dam in Mariana, Minas Gerais state (Southeast Brazil) burst on November 5, 2015, and 19 people died. The toxic waste is estimated to have contaminated 240.8 hectares of Atlantic Rainforest and killed 14 metric tons of fish. Brazilian
Aquatic plants, whether invasive or native, can be described as either a mess or a resource. Natural plant growth covers 20 – 40% of the water and includes a diversity of plants. However, invasive plants such as Eurasian watermilfoil, hydrilla and water hyacinth quickly take over a lake covering 60% and sometimes 100% of the
As the leaves turn from green to yellow to orange to red, then down to the ground when they finally turn brown; it creates quite a bit of work for homeowners. It is important to dispose of leaves properly. Many cities offer curbside collection of leaves, where they are typically gathered and sent to
According to the dictionary, a weed is a plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is not wanted. So while most aquatic plants are pegged as “seaweeds” the Japanese refer to them as sea vegetables. Many of the aquatic plants are of great value for both the ecological system in which