Invasive species such as hyacinth and water lettuce can completely cover the surface of a lake and disrupt the fish and wildlife habitat, as well as create problems for recreation, flood control, and navigation. Masses of dead rhizomes from the native spatterdock and other species may form floating islands that become big enough to support trees. When periods of low water levels are followed by a sudden, rapid rise in the water level, the rhizomes or roots of dead floating-leaved plants often float to the surface, making navigation on the lake difficult and blocking access. Contains burrowing insects called bonnet worms used by some anglers as bait.Provides breeding habitat for mosquitoes.Contributes to sediment, making a lake shallower.Offers food and habitat for fish and wildlife.Roles of Floating Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakesįloating and floating-leaved plants play several roles in Florida lakes, including: The rooted floating-leaved plants often grow across shallow lakes where their roots provide stable surfaces for fish spawning. This group of aquatic plants occur in many Florida lakes and generally grows along the shoreline. Floating-leaved plants are rooted in the sediment and have leaves that float on the surface. Since they are not anchored in the sediment at the lake’s bottom, free-floating plants extract nutrients directly from the water. The floating group of aquatic plants is comprised of free-floating plants and floating-leaved plants. It can also adversely affect fish and bird populations. Overgrowth of submersed aquatic plants can interfere with recreational boating, fishing, swimming, commercial navigation, and flood control. Contributes to the accumulation of muck.Decreases and increases dissolved oxygen concentration, depending on how much light they get.Serve as shelter and habitat for fish and wildlife.Submersed aquatic plants have several important roles in Florida lakes, including: Roles of Submersed Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakes Many problematic exotic or invasive species are in this group. Factors such as how much light penetrates the lake, water clarity, pH, temperature, available nutrients, and the stability of the sediment all govern where these plants grow. They can be found in all Florida lakes and come in all sizes and shapes. Submersed plants grow entirely underwater, with some species rooted in the sediment at the bottom of the lake and others free-floating below the surface. Here’s how you can tell which ones fall into each category. These general categories are submersed, floating, emersed, and algae. There are four different types of aquatic plants found in Florida lakes, and they each play an important role in the lake’s ecosystem. The Four Types of Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakes We’ll make recommendations for the best way to manage any plant issues so that the aquatic ecosystem of your lake remains healthy. We can also advise you on the signs of overgrowth of native plants and when they should be controlled. We can show you which are good for your lake and which should be removed. It’s always a good idea to call Lake and Wetland Management before trying to control or get rid of any aquatic plants in your lake. In addition to providing food and shelter to wildlife in and around the lake, they also absorb undesirable nutrients, help stabilize the soil, and, of course, add to the aesthetics of the lake. Many native aquatic plants are considered good for your lake and offer many benefits. Some are invasive and should be removed, and while native species are only considered undesirable when they grow where they are not wanted or are out of control. Knowing the difference between undesirable, noxious weeds such as hydrilla and native plants such as cattails, coontails, and waterlilies is key to maintaining a balanced and healthy lake ecosystem. There are several different types of aquatic plants that grow in Florida lakes. Just because you see these plants growing in your lake doesn’t mean that you have a problem-but you may. Even changes in native plant communities can affect the ecosystem of a lake.īut what are aquatic plants? Are all the plants in a lake considered aquatic plants? How do you know which are good for your lake and which are invasive? How do you keep them under control?įor aquatic plant control services in Florida, contact the experts at Lake & Wetland Management. Native aquatic plants in lakes are generally beneficial, while non-native, exotic, and invasive aquatic plants can crowd out native species, thus destroying native habitats and disrupting the health of the lake and even its surrounding area. Fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians make nests in and feed on aquatic plants. They offer valuable habitats for fish and wildlife. Freshwater aquatic plants are essential to the health of Florida lakes.