Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes): It’s Distribution, Socioeconomic impacts and management strategies

Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is native of Amazonian region in Brazil. Its invasion has become a global challenge. This aquatic macrophyte has been ranked as one of the world’s worst aquatic weeds, invading lakes, ponds, canals and rivers. Due to its extremely fast growth, this weed has become the major floating water weed of tropical and subtropical parts of the word. It grows rapidly doubling in population within a 5-15 day period. In the absence of natural enemies, this weed quickly becomes invasive; colonizing slow moving waters resulting in the thick and extensive mats. This water plant has spread to most parts of the world because of its large beautiful attractive flowers. This plant has disruptive impacts on aquatic ecosystem, agriculture, fisheries, electricity industry, transportation, living conditions and social structures. The recent invasion of Eichhornia crassipes (C. Mart.) Solms (October 2012) in Guilan “Aynak lagoon” is described and its expansion has been reported in several other provinces, especially in Anzali lagoon. The current review discussed its some of problematic environmental concerns and control methods.