Biological Control and Management of Aquatic

Weeds/ Invasive Species in South Florida

• Identifies and collects natural enemies for control of invasive species

• Released 13 insect species for use against five invasive, non–native plants in South Florida

Everglades Agro-Hydrology Model

• Simulates water balance, agrochemical movements, soil tillage, irrigation, and crop growth

• Helping farmers to cope with the hydrologic changes that may result from the Everglades restoration plan

Nutrient, Pesticide, and Water

Management for Horticultural Crops • Determine the fate and

transport of nutrients and pesticides

• Develop management practices that reduce losses of nutrients and pesticides into water

• Assess the potential of aquatic plants and algal species to purify horticultural runoff of excess nutrients and pesticides

Atmospheric Processes of Agricultural Pollutants that

Affect Air and Water in South Florida

• ARS established air quality sampling sites in Biscayne National Park and West Palm Beach, FL

• Complements water quality research and toxicity testing by NOAA's National Ocean Service scientists in the St. Lucie Estuary and Florida Bay areas

Beef Cattle Grazing Systems to Protect

Water Resources

• Develop better forages and grazing practices to improve the profitability of beef cattle production and protect water quality

Development of Improved Sugarcane Varieties and Their Use in Sustainable Agricultural Production

Systems

• Improve sugarcane’s tolerance to wetter conditions

• Develop agronomic practices that sustain or improve profits under changing hydrological conditions

• Improve sugarcane’s ability to yield well with less phosphorus fertilizer or take up more soil phosphorus

• Quantify the effects of raised water tables and flooding on the microbial activity that causes soil subsidence