Aquatic weeds and their management in Portugal: insights and the international context

A historical insight into the connections between Portuguese researchers wo rking on aquatic weeds and the EWRS Symposia (1964-1998) is given. A review is provided of the major aquatic weeds in Portuguese waters, including flu vial systems, reservoirs, drainage and irrigation canals, and rice fields a long with the types of control and aquatic plant management practised in Po rtugal. Aquatic weed control in Portuguese waters is performed mostly by me chanical means, in spite of several experimental attempts at chemical contr ol and biological control with fish and insects. Aquatic weed studies in ot her Mediterranean countries are also referred to.