species information

Aquatic Invasive Plants

Aquatic invasive plants can have negative impacts for aquatic ecosystems and inhibit boating activity on a water body.

Many of these species such as curly pondweed and Eurasian water-milfoil are able to grow very quickly and out-compete native plants for nutrients and sunlight. They often form thick mats near the surface of the water that easily entangle boat propellers and fishing gear.

Overgrowth of these plants may also negatively impact fish populations when decomposition of the plants reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.

Conservation Digest Articles

• Aquatic Invasive Species: What is it and how can you help?
• Every Water, Every Time
• A Weed or Invasive Species
• Curly Pondweed
• Didymo

Images

Looking for images of invasive plants in South Dakota? You can find images of different types of invasive plants in the Media Gallery of the site.