What is important for proper identification of weeds in an aquatic herbicide program?

Correct identification of species is crucial in an aquatic herbicide program since not all weeds respond in the same way to herbicides, and misidentification can lead to ineffective treatment and potential harm to desirable plants and the aquatic ecosystem. By accurately identifying the target weed species, an applicator can select the appropriate herbicide that is effective specifically on that weed and minimize the risk of negatively impacting non-target species. This also ensures compliance with regulations and helps in assessing the overall health of the aquatic environment post-treatment. Without precise identification, the entire herbicide application effort may be compromised, leading to waste of resources and potential environmental damage.