TECHNIQUES FOR ESTABLISHING NATIVE AQUATIC PLANTS

Man-made aquatic systems such as reservoirs are particularly vulnerabl e to infestations of weedy species because early in their existence th ey typically lack aquatic vegetation of any kind. Establishment of nat ive aquatic plants in such systems could be an important deterrent to the spread of exotic weeds. This article describes a new Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (APCRP) work unit to develop methods for lar ge-scale establishment of desirable native aquatic plants in man-made systems. The article discusses the need for work in this area. identif ies the approach and research objectives, and describes early progress . An example project (Lake Conroe) is briefly described.