They are most obvious in the terrestrial environment, but they also can inhabit many types of aquatic environments. Aquatic plants are more numerous in the warm, swampy areas of the southern United States, but numerous examples can also be found in Kansas. Aquatic plants are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystem, used by many different animals either as food or as a hiding place. Many people find aquatic plants interesting and attractive. However, as with any naturally occurring organisms, they may interfere with people's activities either by their over-abundance or by their mere presence.
Different problems occur in different types of waters.
The most common aquatic vegetation problems occur in impounded waters. Abundant vegetation affects the fish populations in these bodies of water. Small fish hide in the vegetation, making them unavailable to predators. This often results in overpopulation and stunting of certain species. Excessive vegetation interferes with fishing, swimming and boating, and dead, decaying vegetation produces offensive odors.