Integrated management of an invasive macrophyte

摘要

Invasive species are a serious threat to the integrity, structure, and function of ecosystems worldwide (Gordon 1998, Brooks et al. 2004, Gurevitch and Padilla 2004, Pejchar and Mooney 2009), annually causing billions of dollars in damages to agriculture, recreation, and human health (Pimental et al. 2005). More specifically, exotic aquatic weeds are a significant problem, altering habitat and nutrient cycling, outcompeting native species, and negatively impacting recreational use of waterways. Active control measures of aquatic plant species have become necessary. In the United States a total of $100 million is invested annually in control of non-native aquatic plants (Office of Technology Assessment 1993). As the number of invasive species requiring management continues to grow resource managers must identify strategies for managing and/or eradicating these species (Mehta et al. 2007). While most experts agree that the best way to manage for invasive species is by preventing their initial introduction, there is no strong legal authority for prevention, and most managers are not allocated resources in proportion to the risks invasives pose (Lodge et al. 2006, Mehta et al. 2007)..