Assessment of Current Status of Invasive Aquatic Plants in Louisiana

Invasive aquatic plants include plants and algae that grow partially or entirely submerged in water. The United States Department of Agriculture Early Detection and Distribution Mapping system (USDA EDD Maps) was used to collate number of positive observations for all the aquatic invasive species in Louisiana. United States Geological Survey Non-indigenous aquatic species (USGS NAS) database was used to collate each species years of first and last observations and number of affected HUC in Louisiana State. The collated data were recorded and formatted using Excel spreadsheet. The analyses of the data were done using Excel software to generate different charts. The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the current impacts and management of invasive aquatic plants in Louisiana and also to assess whether several resources expended on eradication of these plants have resulted in improved water quality of the State. From the collated data from USGS and USDA EMM Maps, it shows earliest date of observation of invasive aquatic plant in Louisiana from 1884. Common Water hyacinth has the highest number of observations to date. About 41 hydrological unit areas have been affected by infestation of Alligator weed as well. The continuous spread of invasive aquatic plants in Louisiana could be due to favorable weather conditions, excessive nutrients runoff from agricultural practices, reduction of government allocated funds, and uncooperative human community. The current State of Louisiana statewide management plan has done little in the control of the major notorious aquatic plant invaders such as giant Salvinia and water hyacinth. Although, several biological, chemical and mechanical management controls are being implemented yearly, there is a need for interagency collaboration, establishment of efficient State database, and stricter laws on voluntary anthropogenic activities such as sales of invasive weeds as ornamental plants and smuggling of unwanted species through the waterways into the states.