Marine Biochemists - A complete Aquatic Management Company

Aquatic Vegetation Management Plans

Marine Biochemists offers a variety of services to aid in creating or monitoring Aquatic Vegetation Management Plans. Services available include:

• Visual Surveys
  • Species present
  • General extent of submersed plant coverage
• Physical Submersed Vegetation Sampling
  • Species Determination
  • General extent of submersed plant coverage
  • Frequency-how many times a plant is found in a physical sample compared to the total number of samples
• Hydro Acoustic Submersed Vegetation Mapping
  • Percent bottom plant coverage
  • Height of submersed vegetation in water column
  • Bathymetry of area or entire water body
    • Establishes or updates bathymetric data
    • Accurate bathymetric data is essential for any extensive aquatic vegetation management program
• Water Quality Analysis
• Conduct field and laboratory analysis for required water quality monitoring
• Analyze data and provide summary information
• Determination of Control Methods for Exotic or Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation
  • Define practical methods available
  • Analyze economics for each defined method
• Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan Reports
  • Compiles existing survey and water quality data
• Summarizes data compilations
• Formalizes recommendations
• Finished report submitted to customer
  
  

Aquatic Vegetation Surveys can be limited to specific areas. In the results shown above, hydro acoustic survey equipment was used to delineate percent plant coverage of near shore areas on the left (green indicates areas devoid of vegetation), and show height of submersed vegetation within the water column as shown on the right (green indicates no plants or low plants, increasing yellow colors indicate increasing plant height, and red colors indicate taller plants).

Aquatic Vegetation Management Plans require an accurate view of a water body in order to determine best management objectives. In the top picture, the bathymetry or depth contour of a lake is mapped out showing the lake’s inconsistent profile and periodic deep “holes”. Without an accurate depth “picture”, vegetation management efforts can be difficult to plan for.
The middle picture above maps the percent submersed vegetation coverage. Red areas indicate coverage of 90 to 100 percent. Green areas indicate little vegetation. The results of this survey showed that plants were growing throughout the majority of the lake.
The bottom picture above maps the height of submersed vegetation within the water column. The red areas indicate taller plants, the yellow areas indicate medium height plants and the green areas indicate fairly short or lack of plants.
When compared to the depth profile and coverage maps, key areas of concern can be developed. Physical sampling of the vegetation showed beds of beneficial native pondweeds species in patches on the western side of the lake, and significant beds of the exotic Eurasian Watermilfoil plant in east-central and northern parts of the lake. Recommended control efforts for this lake include selectively treating for the exotic plants while maintaining the native pondweed species to promote a healthy fish habitat. The plan would include maintaining broad-spectrum submersed vegetation control in the far eastern swim area.

Projects are designed to meet your needs and specifications. We will work with you to determine the types of monitoring and analysis required, and aid you in obtaining your management objectives. Pricing is based upon the size and scope of the project. We promise quality work at a competitive price. Please contact your Marine Biochemists representative for more details.