Management of aquatic weeds in complex watersheds and river systems present many challenges to assessment, planning and implementation of management practices for floating and submerged aquatic invasive plants.  A range of herbicides, mechanical harvest methods, and bio-control agents are available to resource managers, however, decisions regarding what method is best utilized in what situation and when are difficult.    The Delta Region Areawide Aquatic Weed Project (DRAAWP), a USDA sponsored area-wide project, is working to enhance planning, decision-making and operational efficiency.  Remote sensing and image analysis offer a comprehensive view of the landscape.  Modeling at local and watershed scales can provide insight to dynamics of system ecology.  Remote sensing and modeling combined aide in developing effective management strategies by balancing location and type of aquatic invasive plant, phenology, environmental regulations, economics and management practices.  Initial utilization of remote sensing tools developed for mapping of aquatic weeds improved operational efficiency by focusing limited chemical use to strategic areas with high plant-control impact and incorporating mechanical harvesting when chemical use is restricted.  These techniques provide for quantitative assessment, strategic planning informed by ecological understanding of the system, consideration of alternative management practices, monitoring of management practice effectiveness, and refinement of decision support systems.<br/>(Participating project organizations and principals will be included for presentation.)<br/>

Improving operational aquatic plant management in the California Sacramento-San Joaquin delta resource

254th National Meeting (2017)

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