Water weeds can affect many lives
Tina M. Bond
Orlando Sentinel
April 8, 2007
Attention all boaters, duck hunters, water-skiers, lakefront-home owners, environmentalists and anyone else with an interest in Florida's waterways and aquatic ecosystems: What do you know about hydrilla and hygrophila, aka the "Terrible Twosome"?
Aquatic invasive weeds are a major problem in lakes, canals, rivers and any type of fresh-water body in Florida, particularly hydrilla and hygrophila. The "Terrible Twosome" have been problematic in Florida waterways since the 1950s, spreading rapidly through the state, wreaking havoc along the way.
That may sound a little harsh, but these plants cost millions of dollars per year to manage. According to the Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, about $22.5 million was spent in 2005 for aquatic-plant control in public waters; 44 percent of that, or $9 million, was for hydrilla control. It will cost almost $30 million to manage invasive aquatic weeds in 2006-07.
So, what is the big deal other than the fact that it costs taxpayers millions of dollars to control these weeds?
The "Terrible Twosome" have significant impacts on native plants, wildlife, flood-control structures, waterway navigation and overall recreational water usage by a variety of people.
Hydrilla and hygrophila spread in a similar ways, via fragments broken off from plants in the water. Both plants can grow in any type of fresh water. The only exception is that hygrophila grows primarily in flowing water.
Not only do they spread easily by fragments, but the "Terrible Twosome" also can grow in low-light levels. So even with very little light, the plants can thrive. Since hydrilla and hygrophila grow quickly in a variety of conditions, they out-compete our native plants, displacing them from their environment. Essentially, if the "Terrible Twosome" were in a race with our native plants, the "Terrible Twosome" would win by a long shot!
How did hydrilla and hygrophila get here?
When the plants were brought here in the 1950s and '60s, they frequently were used as aquarium plants. Once the owner of the aquarium no longer wanted the plants (or fish in the aquarium), they were dumped into the nearest body of water. Hydrilla and hygrophila were released into areas where they did not have their natural enemies to keep them in check. With optimal growing conditions in Florida, they spread rapidly through our waterways. It is the same reason there are python and piranha problems in South Florida.
You are probably thinking, "What does this have to do with me?" Well, let me give you a few examples.
Thousands of fishermen travel to Florida to enjoy the premiere bass fishing in our lakes. If we do not manage the "Terrible Twosome," the plants eventually will take over the lake. If that happens, fishermen will not be able to navigate the water and catch those trophy bass because there will be too many weeds in their way. We could stand to lose an estimated $1.5 billion coming into Florida's economy.
Many of our native plants and animals benefit greatly from a diverse ecosystem. Hydrilla and hygrophila out-compete many of the native plants that provide food and shelter for animals. If all that is left are hydrilla and hygrophila, what will animals do for food and shelter? Hydrilla, in very low densities, can provide some habitat for species such as fish and turtles; however, the negatives definitely outweigh the positives when it comes to providing the best habitat for our wildlife.
The owners of lakefront homes should be concerned because hydrilla and other invasive aquatic plants can clog up flood-control structures. This can prevent the structures from functioning properly, resulting in flooding of the lakes, which can lead to the flooding of their property.
What can you do to help? An informed public is our best line of defense when it comes to preventing hydrilla and hygrophila from spreading. The more informed citizens are, the better the chances are of managing invasive weeds.
Join us April 21 at Chisholm Park in St. Cloud for the "Keep Osceola Beautiful" Earth Day event. There will be experts on hand to talk about the "Terrible Twosome" and current chemical, biological and mechanical control strategies.
Osceola County Extension officials also will talk about a $2.88 million grant that was awarded to Osceola to find new and alternative control methods for hydrilla and hygrophila.
Come learn what you can do to help in the fight against invasive aquatic weeds.
For more information, contact Tina Bond at tbon@osceola.org (osceola.ifas.ufl.edu) or go to osceola.org and click the "Keep Osceola Beautiful" link.
Tina M. Bond is a faculty member in aquatics with the University of Florida/IFAS Osceola County Extension Office. Questions may be sent to 1921 Kissimmee Valley Lane, Kissimmee, FL 34744. She can be reached at 321-697-3000.
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Originally Posted by Glenn
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