Which aquatic weed management method involves exposing plants to environmental elements for control?

The method involving exposing aquatic plants to environmental elements for control is water level manipulation. This approach works by altering the habitat conditions such as drought or flooding to negatively impact the growth of the targeted weeds. For instance, reducing water levels can expose aquatic plants to air, potentially leading to desiccation or reduced sunlight, which can harm their growth and reproduction. On the other hand, increasing water levels can submerge plants, limiting their access to necessary resources. This method is particularly effective for managing invasive species without the use of chemicals or physical removal.

Chemical control involves using herbicides to target specific plants but does not rely on natural environmental factors. Mechanical control involves physical methods like cutting or removing the plants, which directly disrupts their structure but does not depend on exposing them to environmental elements. Biological control entails using natural predators or diseases to control plant populations, but again, this does not involve manipulating the environmental exposure directly as water level manipulation does.