General Impact
According to Rivers (2002), P. stratiotes can inflict a severe impact on the environment and economy of infested areas. The dense mats created by connected rosettes of the plant lead to the majority of problems encountered with water lettuce. These mats can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus increasing the difficulty of navigation and hindering flood control efforts. Mats of P. stratiotes can also disrupt natural ecosystems. They can lead to a lower concentration of oxygen in covered waters and sediments by blocking air-water interface and root respiration. Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water. The cumulative effect of these negative characteristics of the plant is a loss of biodiversity in invaded habitats. P. stratiotes mats can also serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes.
Location Specific Impacts:Puerto Rico 
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Arizona (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). California (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Delaware (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Florida (USA) (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Georgia (USA) (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Hawaii (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Louisiana (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Maryland (USA) (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Mississippi (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). New Jersey (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). New York (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). North Carolina (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). South Carolina (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Texas (United States (USA))
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002). Virgin Islands, USA
Competition: Extremely thick mats of P. stratiotes can prevent sunlight from reaching underlying water and aquatic plants (Rivers, 2002).
Economic/Livelihoods: Mats of P. stratiotes can have a negative economic effect by blocking waterways, thus hindering boat navigation and flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
Modification of hydrology: The dense mats created by connected rosettes of P. stratiotes lead to the majority of problems encountered with this species. These mats increase the difficulty of navigation and hinder flood control efforts (Rivers, 2002).
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