Non-Native Species: 

According to The National Park Services, “Non-native species are those that have occurred outside of their natural range. That natural range could be as far as another country or as near as a different region of the same country,” and according to University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, “Non-native plants, also referred to as exotic or alien, are plants that have been introduced to an area from their native range, either purposefully or accidentally. The term non-native usually refers to plants from other countries, regions, or continents.”

Invasive Species:

According to The National Park Services, “a[sic] invasive species as a non-native organism whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant health,” and according to National Invasive Species Council, “…a species that is non-native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.

Noxious Weeds:

According to the  Plant Protection Act of 2000, “. . .any plant or plant product that can directly or indirectly injure or cause damage to crops (including nursery stock or plant products), livestock, poultry, or other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, the natural resources of the United States, the public health, or the environment.”

Mechanical Control:

According to University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Science, “Mechanical control refers to the use of machinery designed to cut, shear, shred, crush, press, lift, convey, transport, and remove aquatic plants and associated organic material from waterbodies. Mechanical controls range from small cutting boats to 90-foot-long harvesters, and from shredders that slurry plants to track hoes and draglines stationed on shorelines or mounted on barges that lift plants and debris out of the water.”

Mechanical Harvesting:

Is the process of removing material with mechanical equipment opposed to chemicals. There are several procedures of mechanical harvesting. Some mechanical harvesters cut vegetation and push it to the shore where excavators and draglines can remove it from the water. Others will simply push the vegetation with a rake like front end that can uproot the vegetation and push it to the shoreline. 

Mechanical Shredding:

Is the process of using rotating blades like a “Bush Hog” as a front-end attachment. The purpose of this process is to cut floating masses of vegetation or floating islands (about several inches under the surface). The material is “shredded” into varying sizes: depending if the vegetation is going to be mechanically harvested or settle to the bottom and decompose.

Mechanical Weed Cutting:

Is a similar process to mechanical shredding; however, it attempts to cut lower on the underwater plant (about a couple feet below surface) compared to the floating vegetation. Depending on the type of vegetation, it is then harvested or settles to the bottom to decompose. This setup is ideal for shallow bodies of water.

Aquatic

Airboat