However, preserving and protecting Florida's native habitats for historical significance and to protect native species, water quality and water quantity is also essential. Weeds in Natural Areas Weeds are undesirable plants. Homeowners battle weeds in their lawns, gardens, and ponds. Weeds are considered unsightly in parks and playgrounds. Weeds interfere with transportation and can cause hazardous conditions along highways, railroads, and waterways.
Foresters control weeds to enhance the growth of commercial forests.
Non-native invasive plants are weeds of natural areas. Non-native plants are those that exist outside of their natural ranges. They are weeds in natural areas because they displace native plants and associated wildlife, including endangered species, and can alter natural processes such as fire and water flow. Naturalists recognized potential problems with non-native invasive plants many years ago. Control of non-native invasive plants in Florida's natural areas is expensive.