Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) a frequently reported invasive plant in garden ponds (IMAGE)
Caption
Researchers at the Institute of Aquatic Ecology, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research in Hungary, launched a citizen science project to uncover the hidden diversity of garden ponds — the MyPond project. Within this initiative, citizens provided information about the presence of invasive plants in their ponds. Out of 560 ponds surveyed, almost half contained at least one of the six targeted invasive plant species. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), considered the world’s worst invasive aquatic plant due to its environmental and economic impacts, was frequently reported. Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and submerged species such as Elodea spp., Vallisneria spp., and Myriophyllum aquaticum were also common.
Credit
Photo: Barbara Barta
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator. Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted. No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted.
License
CC BY-NC-ND