Ecology and Management of Aquatic Vegetation

Ch 4, 10 Fisheries Techniques

Ch 17, 18, 20 Wildlife Techniques

Quote for today: "The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” Babylonian Proverb

Objectives

What makes up aquatic veg

Functions of aquatic veg

Management strategies for aquatic veg

Functions

Producers

Sequester nutrients, filter pollutants, improve water quality

Lock sediments in place, stabilize shore

Food for wildlife, fish, crayfish

Cover for wildlife, fish, aquatic inverts

Aesthetic beauty

Can get out of control esp exotics, so need management

Aquatic Vegetation

Algae

Phytoplankton

Filamentous algae

Flowering plants (Macrophytes) - Submerged (SAV)

Hydrilla, milfoil, Elodea, coontail

Flowering plants (Macrophytes) – free floating

Duckweed, not rooted to soil

Flowering plants (Macrophytes) - Rooted floating

Water lily, Pondweed

Flowering plants (Macrophytes) - Emergent

Grasslike plants

Rushes, Sedges

Cattails, willow trees

Purple loosestrife

Problems

Impair recreation, water quality

DO depletion, Summer or winter fish kills

Odors and tastes to drinking water

Impedes flow of water, clogs outflows encouraging mosquitos

Trap and accumulate sediment

Aesthetic appeal declines

Too much habitat for fish

Destroys natives aquatic plants

Aquatic Vegetation

Management

Find a balance

Know how to fish it!

Control it when warranted

Eradicate certain exotics

Methods

Aquatic Vegetation Management

Preventive control

Aquatic Vegetation Management

Mechanical:

Harvesting

Dredging

Shading

Draw downs

Aquatic Vegetation Management

Chemicals

Aquatic Vegetation Management

Biological

Aquatic Vegetation Management

Habitat alteration

Aquatic Vegetation

Natural Succession of lentic systems

Eutrophication

Cultural Eutrophication

Manage it for balance