ARDMORE, Okla. — Water is a significant resource for any land manager, and its presence increases plant diversity that requires management.
Aquatic vegetation management is an important consideration for land managers who are interested in properly stewarding ponds, wetlands, creeks and rivers, and other bodies of water.
Noble Research Institute has published a new pictorial guidebook to assist land managers in making correct management decisions by providing the most basic need: proper identification. The book, Common Aquatic Vegetation in the Southern Great Plains, was created by Will Moseley and Steven Smith, Noble Research Institute wildlife and fisheries consultants.
"We felt the need for a fundamental publication that addressed the common aquatic plants that most land managers encounter in this region," Moseley said. "We wanted an easy-to-use publication with high quality photos of each plant to help land managers properly identify and manage the plants."
The book consists of 52 aquatic plants with full-color photos that were photographed in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. However, most of these plants also occur outside this range and in other ecoregions.
Aquatic vegetation has both positive and negative attributes, and it is up to the land manager to determine what role the vegetation plays in relation to their management goals or objectives. If management is deemed necessary, choosing the appropriate method is essential.
"When most land managers see aquatic vegetation, they immediately think it needs to be controlled," Smith said. "However, there are many options available to manage aquatic vegetation. We want to provide information about the benefits, negatives and control options of the common plants in this region."
The cost of the book is $30, plus tax and shipping, and is available for purchase on Amazon. A direct link to the Amazon listing can be accessed at here or http://bit.ly/aquatic-vegetation-book. For purchasing questions, please contact Robyn Peterson at 580.224.6294 or rlpeterson@noble.org.
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Aquatic vegetation is an important part of the ecosystem. The Common Aquatic Vegetation in the Southern Great Plains pictorial guidebook will assist land managers in making correct management decisions by providing the most basic need: proper identification.
