Costs and Benefits of Aquatic Weed Control.

摘要

In order to define the extent of the aquatic weed problem in terms of economic costs and benefits an attempt is made to develop order of magnitude estimates for specific damage caused by weeds in certain settings. These estimates would give a better perspective of the problem and provide guidance to which method of control to use. The Corps of Engineers Aquatic Plant Control Program, initiated in 1899, was the first effort to control weeds by the U.S. Government. Waterhyacinth, alligatorweed, Eurasian watermilfoil and hydrilla are the primary damaging aquatic weeds. Mechanically chemical and biological weed control methods are currently being used. Benefit-cost analysis is the term given to studies by planners to assist in finding the best course of action from an economic viewpoint. It differs from routine decision-making by making use of quantitative evaluation, in monetary terms, of the goods and services expected (benefits) and the goods and services expended (costs). The benefit-cost ratio is the proportion of benefit to cost. For example, a benefit to cost ratio of 1.5:1.0 means that benefits are expected to be 150% of the cost. A B/C ratio of 1.0:1.0 means that this project will produce a rate of return equal to the benefit-cost evaluations. The higher the ratio the more justified the project should be.