Some lakeshore residents see native aquatic plants as nuisances to be cleared, but ecologists argue that native aquatic plants are essential for healthy freshwater ecosystems and help keep invasive species in check.
Native aquatic plants support clear water
On Nisswa Lake in central Minnesota, aquatic plant ecologist Donna Perleberg surveyed the shallows in hip waders, noting more than two dozen species visible from the dock. She described a mix of floating-leaf plants, such as water lilies, and fully submerged vegetation that forms an underwater canopy.
Perleberg said these plants stabilize the lakebed by anchoring sediment, which helps maintain water clarity. They also absorb nutrients that enter from lawns, golf courses, and farm fields, reducing the likelihood of algae blooms. Without this living filter, she said, the lake’s renowned clarity would diminish.
Habitat benefits reach across the food web
Native aquatic plants create complex habitat for a range of organisms. Jay Ferrell, who leads the University of Florida’s Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, said insect larvae, snails, and crayfish use these plants for shelter and foraging, enriching the base of the lake’s food web. Because native plants have natural predators, he added, they rarely overrun a lake, unlike invasive species that can quickly dominate.
Many states allow limited removal to open lanes for swimming or boating. Ferrell noted that managing lakes means balancing diverse interests, from duck hunters to anglers to homeowners, each with different expectations for open water and vegetation.
Clearing too much vegetation can backfire
Heather Baird, a lake habitat supervisor with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said many people underestimate the consequences of stripping native plants. Removing extensive beds, such as lilies, can accelerate shoreline erosion, leaving property owners with ongoing costs to stabilize banks and protect structures.
Baird also pointed to the widespread use of aquatic herbicides to kill plants. Some products contain PFAS, known as forever chemicals because they persist in the environment. Concerns about these compounds are prompting some lakefront residents to consider nonchemical options or to leave native plants intact.
Ecologists emphasize that thoughtful management, including preserving and working around native vegetation, is key to sustaining clear water, healthy fisheries, and resilient lakes that resist invasive species. Similar questions about how human decisions reshape habitats and species survival also underpin research into what wildfire smoke and birds reveals about survival.
