POSTER: When Should I Get a Fresh Cut? A Modeling Approach to Determine the Best Harvesting Method of the Invasive Hydrilla Verticillata
Research Mentor: Dr. Edwin Everham
Additional Authors:
Abstract:
Hydrilla verticillata is a submerged aquatic plant originating in Central Africa. Recent studies of H. verticillata have shown that this aquatic plant can tolerate 7% or higher salinity levels and can grow in water with a wide pH range (Kumar et al., 2019). In addition, a recent mutation has been observed in which the plant had become tolerant to fluridone-based herbicides (Benoit & Les, 2013). This resilience and adaptability have caught the attention of governments, who have started to implement multiple management strategies to minimize the negative impact that H. verticillata has on local ecosystems and economies (Hiatt et al., 2019). This study looks at harvesting as a management strategy by focusing on the frequency and intensity of harvesting events to determine which is the most effective strategy to manage the spread of H. verticillata. Four different harvesting intensities ranging from 85%, 95%, 99% of cover were observed at harvesting cycles of 60, 90, 120, 180 days. This modeling approach indicated that a 60-day harvesting cycle, harvesting 95% of H. verticillata cover was the most effective at managing the spread of this invasive aquatic plant species.