Aquatic use of copper-based herbicides in Florida.  [PDF 55 K]   A 1990 literature review and analysis of issues surrounding use of copper-based herbicides for aquatic plant control in Florida by Andrew Leslie.  

Copper herbicide use-patterns in Florida waters.    [PDF 57 K] This 1992 report by bureau biologist Andrew Leslie describes copper use patterns in Florida waters over a ten year period.  

The aquatic herbicide Sonar (Fluridone): a review of the scientific literature [PDF 4 MB]   A 1986 literature review by bureau biologist Don C. Schmitz detailing what was then known about the chemical fluridone.   DNR Report TSS-86-100 

Mechanical Methods:

Mechanical harvesting of aquatic weeds in 1986 [PDF 193 k]  This extensive literature review by then bureau biologist Dan Thayer and UF's Vic Ramey describes the history, current status, effects, and advantages and disadvantages of using mechanical harvesters to manage aquatic plants. 
                                                                                                               
The effects of aeration on the shoreline fishes of a eutrophic Florida lake   [PDF 51 K]   A 1986 report by bureau biologists Andrew Leslie, Larry Nall, and Don Schmitz describing changes in fish populations and species numbers when aeration is applied in a central Florida eutrophic lake.  
 

Biological Control:

Effects of grass carp on the aquatic vegetation in Lake Conway, Florida   [PDF 60 K] A 1994 report by bureau biologists Andrew Leslie, Larry Nall, Greg Jubinsky, and Jeff Schardt describing the environmental impact of a biological control agent, grass carp, on hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) and native flora.

Grass carp: lakes and large impoundments.   [PDF 261 K]   A 1993 summary of the biology, food preferences, and plant management potential for grass carp as a biological control agent by bureau biologist Andrew Leslie et al. 

The effects of the grass carp on the aquatic macrophytes of four Florida lakes.  [PDF 870 K] A 1984 reprint from the Journal of Aquatic Plant Management by bureau biologists Jess Van Dyke, A. J. Leslie, Jr., and L. E. Nall describing the impacts of grass carp introductions on the aquatic flora of four lakes.

Management of aquatic plants in multi-use lakes with grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).  [PDF 1279 K] A 1987 reprint from Lake and Reservoir Management journal by bureau biologists Andrew Leslie, Jr., Jess M. Van Dyke, and FWC biologist's Rue S. Hestand, III, and Boyd Z. Thompson. 

Effects of vegetation control by grass carp on selected water-quality variables in four Florida lakes. [PDF 869 K] A 1983 reprint from Transactions of the American Fisheries Society by bureau biologists Andrew J. Leslie, Jr., Larry E. Nall, and Jess M. Van Dyke. 

Current velocity for transport of grass carp eggs.  [PDF 195 K]  A 1982 reprint from Transactions of the American Fisheries Society by bureau biologists Andrew J. Leslie, Jess M. Van Dyke, and Larry E. Nall.

Invasive Plant Species:

Japanese climbing fern control trials in planted pine  [PDF 504 K]   A 2003 paper by bureau biologists Mark Zeller and Drew Leslie that describes herbicide application trials to control Japanese climbing fern in north Florida.

Exotic aquatic plants in Florida: A historical perspective and review of the present aquatic plant regulation program  [PDF 180 K]  An extensive literature review about how Florida's most invasive plant species were first introduced into the state by bureau biologists Don C. Schmitz, Brian V. Nelson, Larry E. Nall, and Jeffrey D. Schardt.  Published in the Proc. of the Symp on Exotic Pest Plants, November 2-4, 1988, Univ. of Miami, Miami, Florida

Nymphoides cristata - Snowflakes in Sunny Florida [PDF 1.4 MB]  Informational publication by bureau botanist Kathy Burks describes this non-native plant species and its establishment in Florida's waterways.

Report on the ecology of waterhyacinth in the St. Marks River [PDF 998 K]
A report by bureau biologists William Bartodziej and Andrew Leslie presenting results from studies conducted along the St. Marks River from 1989 to 1995 covering topics such as waterhyacinth production, modeling flooding effects on waterhyacinth populations, biocontrol, waterbird abundance, shifts in fish and invertebrate community structure, water quality, and plant community dynamics.

Weed Alerts!
Each of these two-sided printed fact sheets focuses on a non-native invasive plant species that poses a serious threat to Florida's ecosystems.  They can also be downloaded as PDF files (requires Acrobat Reader) and range in size from 170 K to 500 K or print copies can be ordered from the bureau (see address above). 

Bureau Circulars (only available as PDF downloads)

Circular 4 - Plants for Lakefront Revegetation [PDF 5 MB]  

Circular 10 - The Environmental Impact and Regional Differences of Invasive Plants in Florida [PDF 783 K]  

Circular 18 - How was Hydrilla Introduced into Florida? [PDF 171 K]

Circular 19 - Water Hyacinth Management - a Good Example of Maintenance Control in Florida [PDF 167 K]

Circular 21- Rules for a Green Thumb at the Coast [PDF 207 K]

Bureau Information Bulletins (only available as pdf downloads)

Information Bulletin 10 - Native Aquatic Plants [PDF 195 K]

Biological Invasions (General):

Environmental and economic costs associated with non-indigenous species in the United States.   Ground breaking study of the environmental and economic costs associated with invasive non-indigenous species in the United States by Cornell University scientist David Pimentel et al.  Costs associated with invasions are more than $138 billion per year.    

Biological invasions: a growing threat.   A 1997 paper published in Issues in Science and Technology by bureau biologist Don C. Schmitz and University of Tennessee biologist Daniel Simberloff  describing the growing impact of invasive species in North America.   

Harmful non-indigenous species in the United States.  The first report to evaluate the environmental and economic impact along with present federal and state regulations on harmful non-indigenous species in the United States.  This on-line publication was requested by several House committees and subcommittees and released in 1993 by the Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress.

Needed: A National Center for Biological Invasions.   [PDF 23 K]   A paper published in Issues in Science and Technology (summer 2001) by bureau biologist Don C. Schmitz and University of Tennessee Professor Dan Simberloff that proposes the establishment of a CDC-like center to help coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to prevent and manage biological invasions in the United States. 

Non-native plant species: federal, state, & local laws   [PDF 45 K]   This compilation by bureau botanist Kathy Burks brings together into one six-page list all of the exotic plant species presently restricted by federal, state, or local laws in Florida.  It also provides relevant web links.  

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Books by our staff:

Florida Wetland Plants: an Identification Manual.  1998.  Tobe, J.D., Burks, K.C., Cantrell, R.W., Garland, M.A., Sweeley, M.E., Hall, D.W., et al.  University of Florida.  598 p.  For information on acquiring copies of this publication, contact UF/IFAS Distribution, P.O. Box 110011, Gainesville, FL 32611; 1-800-226-1764.  

Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas.  1998.  Langeland, K.A., and K. Craddock Burks (eds.).  University of Florida.  165 p.  For information on acquiring copies of this publication, contact UF/IFAS Distribution, P.O. Box 110011, Gainesville, FL 32611; 1-800-226-1764.

Strangers in Paradise: Impact and Management of Nonindigenous Species in Florida.  1997.  Simberloff, D., D.C. Schmitz, and T.C. Brown.  Island Press.  467 p.  This publication can be found or ordered through your local book store or ordered online.

Last updated: April 13, 2007