Bioeconomic Modeling of the Invasive Aquatic Plants Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) and their impacts on angler effort on Florida lakes

The invasive aquatic plants Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) have the potential to negatively impact recreational use of Florida lakes if consistent, adequate control expenditures are not made. In the mid-1990's, Florida significantly reduced its spending on invasive aquatic plant control measures, which resulted in a significant increase in needed control expenditures in subsequent years. This paper attempts to formalize a relationship between coverage of these invasive aquatic plants and angler effort on Florida lakes using data on 38 lakes over 20 years. Estimated regression coefficients are used to simulate control alternatives, and expenditure cost-benefit comparisons are made.