invasive aquatic plants Florida – Aquarius-Systems

Hydrilla Control in Florida Combines Herbicides and Mechanical Harvesting

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:05:08 +0000

Hydrilla’s roots run deep in Florida.

After a Gulf Coast aquarium dealer had the plant shipped from Sri Lanka in the early 1950s, the stringy nuisance has cost government agencies countless millions. Hydrilla grows up to two inches a day, clogging lakes, rivers and canals that flow to the Melbourne-Tillman (C-1) canal in Palm Bay. That, in turn, raises flood risks.

So Florida water managers spray upward of $15 million worth of herbicides annually to keep the invasive plant in check on public lands — with uncertain environmental consequences. And, some hydrilla has grown resistant to herbicides making treatment more difficult.

One district will utilize a small mechanical weed harvester to harvest some hydrilla and other excess water weeds.

Florida Balances Hydrilla Control with Wildlife Habitat Needs

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:06:16 +0000

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 best interests of wildlife foremost in its plans.

There is no disagreement that hydrilla has to be managed. But how it is managed creates passionate differences of opinion. Hydrilla can be excellent habitat for fish, waterfowl and marsh birds like the endangered Everglade snail kite. But unchecked, the non-native weed can rapidly overtake the entire surface of a lake, shade out native aquatic plants like eel grass and pickerelweed (also called flags), and lower dissolved oxygen content to hinder sport-fish growth.

Florida Debates Best Methods to Control Invasive Hydrilla

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 17:28:38 +0000

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state’s lead agency for hydrilla control since July 1, 2008 faces a daunting challenge. Not only must the agency manage the spread of hydrilla it must maintain waterways for boating navigation and flood control, but it must also consider the wants of Florida residents.

While everyone agrees that hydrilla must be managed, it is the “how” that creates differences of opinion. Hydrilla is an excellent habitat for fish, waterfowl and marsh birds, but unchecked the species can over-take the entire surface of a lake which in turn hinders sport-fish growth. Ducks feed on the hydrilla so duck hunters want the stands of hydrilla left until February to attract the waterfowl.

Herbicide spraying on a large scale is expensive especially after hydrilla developed resistance to SONAR in 2000, now the chemical Aquathol K is being used which costs $300 – $500 per acre. And, despite the application of tons of herbicides in the past two decades, the weed always comes back with a vengeance.