Florida's Aquatic Plant Story
DVD Questions: Middle School
Answer Key
An introduction to the benefits of native plants & problems caused by invasive weeds.
Florida's Aquatic Plant StoryDVD Questions: Middle School
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Name: ________________________________________________________ Class Period:______________________
Date:______________________
Directions: As you watch the DVD about Florida’s aquatic plants, answer the following questions. Discuss each topic after watching the program.
1. What problems can develop when a lake is covered by water hyacinth?
a. plants and animals start to die off
b. oxygen levels drop
c. increased sediments can make the lake more shallow over time
2. a. How long does it take for water hyacinth to double in size? About 13 days
b. Approximately how many days would it take water hyacinth to cover an 8-acre lake if you start with one acre of this invasive plant? Approximately 39 days
c. Why does this particular plant grow so fast? It has no natural predators in Florida.
3. List four benefits derived from native aquatic plants:
a. Native plants are established parts of a food chain.
b. Native plants help to stabilize the shoreline of a water body.
c. Native plants provide habitat for other plants and animals.
d. Native plants help to take up the nutrients in the water.
4. Describe two ways in which Florida lakes are different from lakes in other states.
a. Florida lakes have a large amount of naturally occurring phosphorus.
b. Florida water bodies support a great diversity of plant and animal life.
5. What does the term maintenance control mean as used in the program?
Maintenance control means to keep aquatic weeds at a minimum so they don’t become a larger, more expensive "crisis" problem.
6. List three ways aquatic plants are controlled in Florida.
a. Chemical controls such as herbicides
b. Physical plant removal
c. Biological control
7. What aquatic plant is the #1 weed problem in the state of Florida? hydrilla
Why? Hydrilla is a top weed problem because of its reproduction process and rate; it has no natural predators; and it can grow in low light levels.
8. How is the aquatic plant hydrilla being controlled in Florida waters? Chinese grass carp have been imported and are being used as a biological control and herbicides are also being used.
9. List four things citizens can do to help control aquatic weeds in Florida’s lakes and rivers?
a. We can educate ourselves about the problems and solutions.
b. We should be aware of and join community action groups (LAKEWATCH, etc.).
c. When leaving a water body, we should clean the aquatic plants off vehicles, boats, equipment before leaving, so that the plants are not transported to a different water body.
d. Never dump aquarium plants and/or animals into a Florida water body.
10. Why is it important for citizens in your community to understand Florida’s aquatic ecosystems?
