Aquatic vegetation control

Invasive Aquatic Vegetation in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh: The History and Science of Control Efforts and Recommendations for the Path Forward

J. Louise Conrad, Madison Thomas, Karen Jetter, John Madsen, Paul Pratt, Patrick Moran, John Takekawa, Gina Skurka Darin, Lydia Kenison

Article link: https://doi.org/10.15447/sfews.2023v20iss4art4

Invasive aquatic vegetation is a major management challenge in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and the Suisun Marsh due to its impacts on recreational and commercial boating, operation of critical water infrastructure, and numerous ecosystem impacts. Control efforts, including chemical, biological, mechanical, and physical approaches, have been a major resource investment for four decades, but the science of control efforts has only started in earnest in the early 2000s, with increased attention in just the last ten years. This chapter explores the history and supporting science of invasive aquatic vegetation control efforts in the Delta and Suisun Marsh in the context of control efforts used in other similar (e.g., flowing water) systems. The chapter concludes with a series of recommendations for continued advancement of science in support of adaptive management of invasive aquatic vegetation.