Invasive aquatic plants threaten Florida lakes, impacting angler activity and economy.
Invasive aquatic plants like hydrilla, water hyacinth, and water lettuce can harm Florida lakes if not controlled properly. When Florida cut spending on controlling these plants in the 1990s, more money was needed later on. By studying 38 lakes over 20 years, researchers found that the more these plants spread, the less anglers visited the lakes. This means spending money on controlling these plants can benefit both the environment and recreational activities.