What two nonnative plants were instrumental in shaping Florida’s aquatic plant management framework before 1965?

The correct choice highlights the significant role that water hyacinth and alligatorweed played in the development of Florida's aquatic plant management framework before 1965. Water hyacinth, known for its fast growth and ability to form dense mats on water surfaces, posed major challenges to water flow, recreation, and native plants. Alligatorweed, similarly aggressive, contributed to these management challenges with its rapid spread and ability to outcompete native vegetation.

The emergence of these nonnative plants brought about increased awareness and the need for more structured control methods to manage aquatic ecosystems effectively. As a result, their problematic characteristics prompted state and federal agencies to develop strategies and policies for managing invasive aquatic plants. This period marked a crucial turning point in how Florida approached aquatic plant management, further establishing a framework that continues to evolve.

Other options do not reflect the same historical impact on Florida's management framework. While coontail and southern naiad, for instance, are present in Florida, they did not influence the management framework in the same way due to their native status and lesser invasive tendencies. Duck potato and bulrush are also native species and do not have the same invasive impact. Hygrophila and filamentous algae, though present, haven’t had the same historical