Abstract

Aliyu M. Ahmad, Ari Hadiza Abdullahi and Nuraddeen B. Ahmad

ABSTRACT

The study reviews the biological control of aquatic macrophytes and its ecological implications to provide information on various future challenges in water quality management and aquaculture. Aquatic macrophytes cause various environmental (or ecological) and socio-economic impacts (which are in their majority negative), affecting floral and faunal diversity and ecosystem functioning and services. The aquatic macrophytes, many of which are invasive species and impact mechanisms differ between species which is largely based on differences in their growth form and the habitat that they have invaded. Invasive aquatic macrophytes threaten aquatic ecosystems and both the quantity and quality of potable water hence need for control. View the paucity of known ecological damage from biological control introduction agents, biological control method is generally safe with strict prevention of upset of ecosystem of the area by the population of the control agents to ensure bearable ecological implications. Successful biological control requires that the pest population is reduced to levels well below the economic threshold and maintained sufficiently to allow the survival of the agents. In management situations, integrated approaches involving multiple biological control agents or possible biological control and chemical methods be used with minimize potential negative environmental effects. Where possible use of native species is proper and if non-native species has to be used, it should be sterile to avoid spread via reproduction to new water bodies.