“Why Manage Invasive Plants?” PowerPoint™
Answer Key
“Why Manage Invasive Plants?” PowerPoint™Answer Key |
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Name: _______________________________ Class Period:_____ Date:___________
1) How long has Florida had a problem with invasive plants? Since the 1890s.
2) The two worst aquatic plant invaders are: hydrilla and water hyacinth.
3) Why are water hyacinth and hydrilla so hard to remove once they get started? Water hyacinth produce millions of seeds per plant. Hydrilla can reproduce vegetatively (from buds and shoots).
4) Define “maintenance control”. Maintenance control is the frequent management of small infestations of invasive plants to keep them at the lowest feasible levels.
5) Invasive plants are managed to:
a. lessen environmental damage the plants can cause if left unchecked;
b. maintain native plant habitat for wildlife;
c. prevent flooding from rivers, creeks, and lakes;
d. stabilize oxygen levels for aquatic environments;
e. reduce mosquito habitat and help prevent disease;
f. reduce sedimentation and the need to scrape bottom sediments from lakes;
g. reduce the amount of herbicides needed;
h. reduce the long-term cost of managing plants;
i. provide recreational opportunities.
6) To accomplish maintenance control, Florida water managers use a variety of methods. Name and explain three methods:
a. biological control – introduction of insects that feed only on the invasive plants;
b.chemical control – the use of herbicides by specially trained personnel;
c. mechanical methods – use of machines to remove invasive plants.
7) To accomplish maintenance control, Florida water managers use a variety of strategies. Name and explain two of them:
a. provide educational opportunities for the public to become aware of the problem and help solve the problem;
b. prevent the transport of nuisance species.
8) How can increased public awareness about invasive plants affect the cost of maintenance control? If the public is made aware of the problems and processes of maintaining invasive plants, they will possibly be more careful in their behavior. Examples: clean boat propellers and trailers before leaving areas, dispose of invasive plants correctly, etc.
9) Throughout this lesson, there were several examples of a lake or river that had not undergone maintenance control. Name two and explain what happens when invasive plants aren't maintained.
a. In the late 1890s, the St. Johns River was completely covered by water hyacinth. The river was not able to be used for navigation and transportation of goods and people.
b. Lake Okeechobee was not maintained and as a result, invasive water hyacinth plants grew rapidly and the cost of restoring it was very large.
