Each day, pressure mounts on the unique ecosystems that produce the fresh water
vital to all life.Invasive aquatic vegetation degrades
water quality, causing health problems for people, loss of habitat for fish and
wildlife, and a decrease in property values. It also impacts recreational
activities. Although traditional management techniques and tools are available,
there is a pressing need to develop new strategies and refine existing ones that
can selectively control these aggressive weeds in an environmentally compatible
fashion.
Technological improvements can only be achieved through
competent and sustainable research and development (R&D) programs. In the past,
the federal government has played the prominent role in maintaining a coalition
of research scientists, natural resource agencies, academic institutions, and
private sector interests for studying and managing nuisance aquatic and wetland
vegetation. However, significant reductions in agency funded R&D programs have
created a technological void while invasive aquatic and riparian weeds continue
to spread and cause grave environmental damage.
The AERF was formed to fill this void.
Questions about AERF?
Contact Carlton Layne at
Last Update: Jan 2, 2009
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