Progress on the biological control of two invasive aquatic plants, cabomba (Cabomba caroliniana) and alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides)

摘要

Invasive aquatic plants have diverse social, economic, and environmental impacts and associated high costs of control (Schooler et al. 2005). Cabomba caroliniana Gray (cabomba) is an introduced submerged aquatic plant that invades lakes, ponds and rivers from tropical to temperate climates throughout the world (Schooler and Julien 2006). Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart.) Griseb. (alligator weed) is an introduced amphibious plant that grows in moist terrestrial habitats and across the water's surface in aquatic environments. Both plants are native to the floodplains of South America and both are serious pests (Weeds of National Significance) in Australia. In addition, both plants are difficult to control because current chemical and physical control methods are not effective, or in some cases may exacerbate the problem by removing competitor species or spreading propagules. It is likely that the only sustainable long-term solution will be biological control (Schooler et al. 2005).