In The Florida Wilds

These observations came from living in Florida, and doing a few biological projects toward control of water-weeds.

I thought It would be interesting to share with you some of the facts and information about the Florida Everglades "sea of grass," areas of fresh water and saltwater plants and that contain both native plants and exotic non-native plants that interfere with the natural flow of water and make that water often unsuitable for fishing and swimming, drinking and boating, and uninhabitable for native fish.

First I will start with the various types of water-weeds that are endangering our natural resources, and the use of biological controls, that have been used in trying to control these plants. Later on I will continue on to speak about the exotic fish and reptiles, that are ruining the nature cycle of life in the waterways and low-lying areas of Florida.

In Florida, it was documented in 1967, that over 150 different species of water weeds were endangering the natural flow of water in the rivers and lakes, canals and wet lands of Florida. There were many problems caused by these weeds that were never imagined by the people who originally brought them into the area. Water in Florida, is used for crop irrigation and electrical power, domestic and industrial purposes, but the main function is the ecosystem and its delicate balance.

Different algae microscopic forms produce bad orders and odd taste to the water's, as well as, being toxic to fish. Dense growths of an filamentous algae, which are threadlike plants without roots, or leaves, or flowers reduce fish populations and plug up water systems. Submersed weeds which are rooted plants that grow mostly underwater are even more of a problem in recreational waters.

Next are the underwater, water weeds which are plants that root at the bottom and extend most of their foliage and seed heads above the water's surface. These weeds can block access to and from the open waters of lakes and rivers. They also restrict or prevent easy water-flow in canals and drainage ditches. Some amounts of these types of weeds are necessary for breeding places for mosquitoes and fish, turtles and frogs. The thickets of taller weeds provide nesting and roosting areas for birds and coverage and food for a variety of snakes.

However, when water weeds decay rapidly underwater, they use a lot of oxygen content and many fish die. Then the combination of dead fish and decaying plant life produces terrible odors. These decaying masses of vegetation give off hydrogen sulfide gas which has the wonderful smell of rotten eggs.
Sulfur and nitrogen compounds are produced naturally by the decay of organic matter in swamps and wetlands, intertidal areas and shallow waters of the ocean.

Many aquatic plants perform beneficial functions, by removing carbon dioxide from the water and adding dissolved oxygen that is necessary for life and production of fish and other aquatic animal life. Algae is a major source of food for many species of fish.

Although, some aquatic plants are a nuisance, they are also beneficial in other ways. Plants like wild celery and duck potato, water-meal and duck weed and water-lettuce provide valuable feed for ducks and geese, and many other water fowl and animals. So the control of water-weeds is complicated by the presence of beneficial plants being mixed with nuisance plants.

Do you have any thoughts about this discussion of water weeds? Do you have any comments or additions to the above information? Do you live in an area that has problems with over-growth of water plants in rivers and lakes?

Please feel free to add any helpful comments or questions to this new thread.