ATL

Biology and Control of Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants playa n important role in aquatic systems worldwide because they provide food and hábitat to fish, wildlife and aquatic organisms. Plants stabilize sediments, improve water clarity and add diversity to the shallow areas of lakes. Unfortunately, nonnative plants that are introduced to new hábitats often become a nuisance by hindering human uses of water  and threaten the structure and function of diverse native aquatic ecosystems. Significant resources are often expended to manage infestations of aquatic weeds because unchecked grouth of these invasive species often interferes with use of water, increases the risk of flooding and results in conditions that threaten public health.