Issue papers
- Cooperative Funding
- Comprehensive Watershed Management
- Exotic Species Management
- Flood Protection
- Funding Water Resources Protection
- Minimum Flows and Levels
- Mitigation
- Partnership Agreement
- Permitting
- Protecting Lands and Providing Public Uses
- Responsibilities
- Sinkholes
- Springs — A Unique Resource
- A Sustainable Water Supply
For many decades, water managers in southwest Florida have battled an enemy of effective water resource management — invasive, exotic plant and animal species. They’re found in the water and on land. These species spread rapidly, damaging native plant communities and natural ecosystem functions.
Invasive exotic species have the ability to rapidly reproduce and overwhelm our native species because of a lack of natural enemies or other environmental controls. Invasive species can cause a variety of problems. On our lakes and rivers, recreation and navigation can be impeded, water control structures rendered inoperable, water quality diminished, and fish and wildlife habitat destroyed. Hydrilla, water hyacinth and water lettuce are the most troublesome plant species.
For these reasons, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has implemented management programs and works closely with local governments to manage invasive exotic plant and animal species.
Most non-native species that have been introduced to Florida are not invasive and pose no threat to our natural systems. In fact, many of Florida’s important agricultural and commercial species are exotic or non-native.
To manage invasive species on our waterways, the District often uses airboats to apply aquatic herbicides to eliminate or keep troublesome infestations in check. These applications occasionally require that some water uses, such as irrigation, be curtailed for a short period of time.
Restrictions are announced to the public through media releases and notification signs posted within treatment areas. Other plant control methods are also used, such as mechanical harvesters or plant-eating insects or fish.
Aquatic plant management operations on public waters is a cooperative effort among the state’s five water management districts, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Game and Wildlife Conservation and local governments.
Invasive plant species such as melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, skunk vine and cogon grass choke out beneficial native plant communities, reduce suitable wildlife habitat, and alter natural fire ecology and other ecological processes that sustain many of Florida’s unique ecosystems.
Wetland and upland ecosystems also are impacted by invasive exotic animal species. The feral hog is considered the most destructive exotic mammal to natural lands. It competes with native wildlife for food. Through its continuous “rooting” behavior, it causes soil erosion, destroys plant communities, and damages trails and access roads. The District periodically holds feral hog hunts on its lands to control hog populations.
The District is authorized by Governing Board Policy 610-3 and Florida Statute 373.59 to control exotic species as needed to preserve natural ecosystem functions.
Exotic plant and animal management is an important and necessary component of the District’s responsibilities for natural systems protection, water quality, water supply and flood protection. Effective management of these species also requires the participation of local governments and property owners.
For more information about exotic species management, please call 1-352-796-7211, ext. 4537.
May 2005
