The aquatic macrophytes have been considered an important community in freshwater ecosystems. However, their excessive colonization and growth usually cause serious impacts on multiple use of these ecosystems. Most aquatic environments are colonized at different degrees by aquatic plants in some phase of ecological succession. Nevertheless, massive growth is usually associated with anthropogenic actions such as introduction of alien species and habitats of alterations. Knowledge about ecology and biology of the species that colonize tropical ecosystems is still scarce. This knowledge is fundamental to predict the development of aquatic vegetation and to subside its management, whenever necessary. The methods of control and management are efficient only in small ecosystems and their application is usually followed by several ecological impacts, not always well assessed. In general, the development of methods with reduced impacts and efficient in large ecosystems is a challenge. It is still important to consider that, although in some situations, management is necessary to reduce macrophyte populations, in others it should be used to stimulate the colonization and development of aquatic vegetation.
aquatic ecosystems; reservoirs; limiting factors; ecological succession
