Eutrophication presents as one of the most serious ecological problems of open water sources such as lakes, oceans and reservoirs. It is characterized by dense algal and plant growth owing to the enrichment by phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients needed for photosynthesis. As a result, it often contributes to the formation of extensive mats of floating plants. Examples of the plants include algal blooms, Nile cabbage and water hyacinths.

Despite 20th century advances in understanding eutrophication,
it remains one of the foremost problems in protecting
freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems.

Eutrophication is a leading cause of impairment of many freshwater and coastal marine ecosystems in the world. Why should we worry about eutrophication and how is this problem managed?

All South West Western Australian estuaries, especially those in areas with extensive artificial drainage, are severely affected by eutrophication due to agricultural and urban land uses.
Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs) are whole-of-government responses to improve current estuary water quality (and that of the streams and rivers in its catchment) and prevent additional deterioration.The Hardy Estuary showing residential landuse in the immediate catchment
Water Quality Improvement Plans provide a consolidated understanding of water quality issues in the catchment and estuary, identify sources of pollutants (particularly nitrogen and phosphorus) and provide solutions in the form of management actions supported by cost/benefit analyses.

The National Eutrophication Management Program –