Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest freshwater lake, plays a vital role in the state's ecosystem and water management.

"South Florida has more non-natives than any other continental region in the world," said Chris Searcy, an associate professor of biology at the University ... to uncover patterns in the spread ...

Researchers at the University of South Florida are predicting what they call another major sargassum year. In the open ocean, the large golden brown masses of seaweed provide habitat for marine life.