Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a major invasive plant species in Lake Victoria. While native to the continent of South America, human activity introduced the plant to Lake Victoria around the 1980s. It negatively affects the local ecosystem and people. The presence of water hyacinth in Lake Victoria is associated with lower amounts of dissolved oxygen in water and increased water acidity. It is also correlated to a higher risk of malaria, schistosomiasis, and cholera. Economically, the weed has damaged the fishing industry through reducing catchability of fish, and of boat transportation. Biological control agents have been used to control the growth of water hyacinth, and satellite monitoring is used to track its spread.

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