Program Goals

1. To determine where invasive aquatic plants occur in Connecticut.

2. To monitor the growth of existing invasive aquatic plant populations and track new introductions.

3. To establish baseline information (e.g., plant community and water chemistry data) on lakes with no invasive species so the effects of any future invasions can be determined.

4. To characterize invasive plants’ abundance and geographic spread in terms of abiotic environmental variables such as lake area, water nutrient levels, sediment characteristics and watershed land use.

5. To explore the control of invasive aquatic plants through the judicious and localized application of herbicides.

6. To investigate the potential use of biological control agents such as the watermilfoil weevil (Euhrychiopsis lecontei) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) to manage invasive aquatic plants.

7. To develop a molecular-based identification system for aquatic plant species.