Meeting to Focus on Management of Aquatic Weeds

WEED SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA (WSSA) PRESS RELEASE

 

Upcoming Meeting to Focus on Management of Invasive Aquatic Weeds

Posted on June 24, 2013

Scientists, professionals and policymakers interested in the management of aquatic weeds will gather next month for the Aquatic Plant Management Society (APMS) annual meeting. The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is among the exhibitors at the event, which is scheduled for July 14-17 in San Antonio, Texas.

“The APMS conference has become an important forum for sharing research and best practices that help us reduce the significant threat aquatic weeds represent to our economy,” says Lee Van Wychen, Ph.D., science policy director for the Weed Science Society of America.  “Aquatic invaders can clog flood control channels, impair water supplies and endanger important centers of water-based commerce, recreation and tourism.”

This year’s APMS conference will feature dozens of presentations and poster sessions on invasive aquatic plants and how to best manage them – from the use of hydroacoustic technology to track underwater weeds to the latest techniques for controlling toxic algae blooms.  In addition, three special half-day sessions are planned around the following themes:

§  Herbicide Resistance Management in Aquatics.  As a prelude to policy work on guidelines that can reduce the development of herbicide resistance among aquatic weeds, APMS will host a special session featuring individuals from industry, academia and public management, as well as herbicide applicators.  Attendees will have an opportunity to share their personal perspectives and concerns about resistance issues.  The guidelines APMS develops will complement similar policy guidelines developed by WSSA to reduce resistance among terrestrial weeds.

§  Perspectives on Research and Management Progress.   Experts from terrestrial weed science and related disciplines will discuss strategies that may benefit their colleagues in aquatic plant management.  Each presenter will explore the link between research, technology and changes in management techniques.

§  Aquatic Plant Management in Texas.  The Texas chapter of APMS will lead a session on aquatic plant management issues, research and best practices – from the management of giant reed (Arundo donax) on Lady Bird Lake in Austin to an update on the work of the Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Foundation.

For more information on the APMS annual meeting, visit www.apms.org.