Which of the following is NOT a desirable attribute to assess for aquatic vegetation?

Assessing aquatic vegetation typically focuses on attributes that provide meaningful insights about the health and ecological balance of an aquatic ecosystem. Color variation, while it can indicate certain conditions (like nutrient levels or general health), is not as critical for understanding the overall ecological roles and interactions of species within that environment.

Species diversity is important because a wide variety of species can enhance resilience and stability in an ecosystem. Growth rates are vital for understanding how quickly a plant community can recover after disturbances, and coverage extent helps determine the amount of habitat available for aquatic fauna and the overall productivity of the ecosystem. These attributes give a clearer picture of the ecosystem's function and environmental quality. In contrast, color variation doesn't typically provide such substantive ecological insights, making it less desirable for assessment purposes.