Invasive Crayfish Threaten the Development of Submerged Macrophytes in Lake Restoration

Submerged macrophytes enhance water transparency and aquatic biodiversity in shallow water ecosystems. Therefore, the return of submerged macrophytes is the target of many lake restoration projects. However, at present, north-western European aquatic ecosystems are increasingly invaded by omnivorous exotic crayfish. We hypothesize that invasive crayfish pose a novel constraint on the regeneration of submerged macrophytes in restored lakes and may jeopardize restoration efforts. We experimentally investigated whether the invasive crayfish (Procambarus clarkii Girard) affects submerged macrophyte development in a Dutch peat lake where these crayfish are expanding rapidly. Seemingly favourable abiotic conditions for macrophyte growth existed in two 0.5 ha lake enclosures, which provided shelter and reduced turbidity, and in one lake enclosure iron was added to reduce internal nutrient loading, but macrophytes did not emerge. We transplanted three submerged macrophyte species in a full factorial exclosure experiment, where we separated the effect of crayfish from large vertebrates using different mesh sizes combined with a caging treatment stocked with crayfish only. The three transplanted macrophytes grew rapidly when protected from grazing in both lake enclosures, demonstrating that abiotic conditions for growth were suitable. Crayfish strongly reduced biomass and survival of all three macrophyte species while waterfowl and fish had no additive effects. Gut contents showed that crayfish were mostly carnivorous, but also consumed macrophytes. We show that P. clarkii strongly inhibit macrophyte development once favourable abiotic conditions for macrophyte growth are restored. Therefore, expansion of invasive crayfish poses a novel threat to the restoration of shallow water bodies in north-western Europe. Prevention of introduction and spread of crayfish is urgent, as management of invasive crayfish populations is very difficult.     

Monitoring the dynamics of an invasive emergent macrophyte community using operational remote sensing data

Potamogeton crispus L. (curly pondweed) is a cosmopolitan aquatic macrophyte considered invasive in North America and elsewhere. Its range is expanding and, on individual water bodies, its coverage can be dynamic both within and among years. In this study, we evaluate the use of free and low-cost satellite remote sensing data to monitor a problematic emergent macrophyte community dominated by P. crispus. Between 2000 and 2006, we acquired eight satellite images of 24,000-ha Lake Sharpe, South Dakota (USA). During one of the dates for which satellite imagery was acquired, we sampled the lake for P. crispus and other emergent macrophytes using GPS and photography for documentation. We used cluster analysis to assist in classification of the satellite imagery and independently validated results using the field data. Resulting estimates of emergent macrophyte coverage ranged from less than 20 ha in 2002 to 245 ha in 2004. Accuracy assessment indicated 82% of image pixels were correctly classified, with errors being primarily due to failure to identify emergent macrophytes. These results emphasize the dynamic nature of P. crispus-dominated macrophyte communities and show how they can be effectively monitored over large areas using low-cost remote sensing imagery. While results may vary in other systems depending on water quality and local flora, such an approach could be applied elsewhere and for a variety of macrophyte communities.     

Factors controlling macrophyte distribution in large shallow Lake Võrtsjärv

We investigated the dependence of macrophyte parameters (distribution depth, width of the reed belt, density and length of shoots) on a number of abiotic factors (wind patterns, nutrient loading, slope of the littoral, granulometric sediment composition) in a large, shallow, and eutrophic Lake Võrtsjärv (270 km², average depth 2.8 m) in Estonia in 1997. The macrophytes colonized 19% of the lake area, whilst 95% was potentially suitable by depth. The most affected were the floating-leaved plants that colonized the smallest percentage (6%) of areas suitable for them with regard to depth. Factor analysis revealed a strong polarisation of the lake's vegetation both in west–east and north–south direction caused by (1) dominating westerly and south-westerly winds, (2) the shape of the lake narrowing down from north to south, and (3) concentration of bigger inflows at the west and south shores of the lake. The eutrophication process caused the disappearance of several species, on one hand, and the extension of the distribution areas of other species, on the other hand. Myriophyllum spicatum L. has become the dominating species among the submerged plants, replacing the earlier dominant, Potamogeton perfoliatus L.     

Assessing maximum depth distribution,vegetated area,and production of submerged macrophytes in shallow,turbid coastal lagoons of the southern Baltic Sea

Submerged macrophytes improve water quality in shallow coastal lagoons but eutrophication often resulted in a degradation of macrophytes. Management measures that protect and restore macrophyte stands require knowledge on what limits macrophyte distribution. Information on macrophyte production and distribution in the Darss-Zingst Bodden Chain (southern Baltic Sea) is lacking since an almost complete loss of submerged vegetation in the 1980s. Nutrient input was reduced in the 1990s and macrophytes seem to recover, although turbidity is high and light conditions are still poor. However, this recovery raised hope that returning macrophytes could stabilize sediments and improve water clarity. In this study, seasonal changes in photosynthesis–irradiance curves of selected macrophyte species were used to calculate potential primary production in different depths and turbidity situations. Bathymetry of the area is then used to assess depth distribution and vegetated area. Since the so-calculated depth limits correspond well with the actual depth distribution in the field, macrophyte depth distribution is concluded to be mostly determined by light conditions. Most macrophytes grow in very shallow areas up to 50 cm depth where also 70% of potential primary production takes place. Present light conditions do not support a further expansion of macrophyte distribution in the DZBC.     

Phytoplankton biomass in Lake Xolotlán (Managua): Its seasonal and horizontal distribution

Some well-documented studies on restoring eutrophic lake systems in The Netherlands by fish stock management have been evaluated with the emphasis on the role of macrophytes. Furthermore, the factors determining the light climate for submerged macrophytes in a large shallow eutrophic lake (Lake Veluwe) have been assessed and the potential success of biomanipulation in large scale projects is discussed. Today relatively little attention has been paid to macrophyte management although the importance of macrophytes in lake restoration has been recognized regularly. The biomanipulation strategy was successful in small scale projects. In a large scale project, however, wind-induced resuspension may largely determine the underwater light climate through attenuation by the water column and periphytic layer. Therefore, restoration of relatively large waterbodies by fish stock management only is expected not to lead to any noteworthy improvement of the light climate for submerged macrophytes. Additional measures aimed at reducing wind-induced resuspension of sediment particles and reestablishing of the macrophyte stands are required for successful biomanipulation strategies. Water quality managers should pay more attention to macrophyte stands in biomanipulation projects because macrophytes enhance a more stable and diverse ecosystem. Restoration objectives and the methods of their achievement must be carefully planned since an abundant submerged macrophyte vegetation may have undesirable effects as well.     

Variable response of functional macrophyte groups to lake characteristics,land use,and space: implications for bioassessment

We investigated how land use at multiple scales affects functional macrophytes groups and ecological status index in the boreal region. We employed a variance partitioning analysis to quantify the relative role of lake characteristics, multiple-scaled land use (catchment, buffer zones of 100, 300 and 500 m), and space in explaining the composition and richness of functional macrophyte groups (emergent and submerged macrophytes and hydrophytes) and ecological status of macrophytes in 110 Finnish lakes. Partial redundancy analysis (community composition) and partial linear regression (richness and status index) revealed that macrophyte community composition, richness, and status index were mostly explained by the pure effect of lake characteristics, which dominated over space for most macrophyte variables. Land use adjacent to shoreline had a higher effect on emergent macrophytes and status index compared to the land use of the whole catchment. Our findings suggest that emergent macrophytes can indicate changes in water quality and hydro-morphology originated from the close vicinity of the littoral zone. Ecological quality assessment based on emergent macrophytes only is probably not sufficient, but including emergent species in the assessments is recommended, especially in the species-poor boreal region.     

水生植物对富营养水体水质净化作用研究

利用富营养浅水湖泊武汉东湖中所建立的大型实验围隔系统,对沉水植物的水质净化作用作了现场实验研究。重建后的沉水植物可以显著改善水质,水体透明度显著提高,水色降低。在研究期间,水生植物围隔CODcr和BOD5一般分别为20和5mg/L左右;对照围隔和大湖水体则分别约为40和10mg/L。水生植物围隔水体中检出的有机污染种类也较对照围和大湖水体柢。实验结果表明恢复以沉水植物为主的水生植被是改善营养湖泊水质和重建生态系统的有效措施。     

Response of aquatic macrophytes in Northern Irish softwater lakes to forestry management; eutrophication and dissolved organic carbon

Softwater lakes provide a habitat for isoetid macrophytes, which are vulnerable to eutrophication and acidification. In Ireland many catchments of such lakes are currently planted with exotic conifers. Management of these plantations can lead to increases in lake water phosphorus (P), threatening the survival of softwater macrophytes. Regional increases of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) may also have a detrimental effect on aquatic plants. The persistence of the macrophyte flora in lakes with managed forested catchments in Northern Ireland was investigated by comparing the macrophyte community of 12 lakes surveyed in 2007 with a 1988-1990 survey. Contemporary data were compared with plant macrofossil records pre-dating 1900. Macrophyte abundance generally remained unchanged but Littorella uniflora (L.) Asch. and Fontinalis antipyretica Hedw. showed a significant decline since 1988-1990. Water colour, alkalinity, silica, total P, total soluble P and soluble reactive P increased; conductivity and chlorophyll a decreased in the lakes over time. These changes coincided with increased pH in precipitation and potentially elevated exports of DOC to water. Conifer plantation management appeared to have less impact on the macrophyte flora than expected from the elevated lake P concentrations. It appears that a large regional increase in DOC is also a threat to macrophyte abundance and diversity in these upland catchments and conservation efforts may be more successful in lakes with longer water residence times.     

Effects of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) on macrophytes and invertebrate communities in a shallow lake

1. We performed two field experiments using different cage sizes to determine the direct and indirect effects of carp on macrophytes and invertebrate community composition in a shallow lake. 2. The presence of carp produced a significant decrease in macrophyte abundance, changes in species composition and decreased abundance and diversity of invertebrates in small (2.5 × 2.5 × 2.0 m) cages. In large exclosures (15 × 5 m), only macrophyte stem length was significantly affected by carp. 3. There was considerable variation in the macrophyte and invertebrate responses to carp on different sides of the lake in the large exclosures, suggesting that wind and wave action are also important variables affecting macrophyte growth and persistence. 4. The data suggest that carp can significantly affect species abundance and diversity of macrophytes and some macroinvertebrates.     

Vegetation abundance in lowland flood plan lakes determined by surface area, age and connectivity

SUMMARY 1. We analysed the vegetation structure of 215 lakes in the flood plain of the river Lower Rhine in relation to environmental variables related to hydrological connectivity, lake morphometry, lake age and land use on adjacent land. 2. The frequency distribution of the cover of submerged macrophytes was not normal, implying that submerged macrophytes in any one lake were either scarce or abundant. 3. We observed clear water lakes with submerged macrophyte dominance over a wide range of total P concentration (0.020–0.40 mg total P L^?1). 4. Multiple logistic regression indicated that the probability of dominance by submerged macrophytes decreased markedly with the surface area, depth and age of the lakes. The surface area effect occurred independently of the depth. Further, there was a negative relationship between submerged macrophyte dominance and the long‐term annual duration of inundation by the river. 5. Nymphaeid cover showed a distinct optimum with respect to mean lake depth, being almost absent in lakes shallower than 0.5 m. In contrast to what was found for submerged plants, the probability of occurrence of nymphaeids increased with lake age. 6. The probability of helophyte occurrence increased with lake age, and decreased with the presence of trees, cattle grazing, surface area, use of manure and mean lake depth. 7. In all cases the critical level of one factor (e.g. mean lake depth) depended on other factors (e.g. surface area or age of lake). Thus, in the present study, small lakes tended to remain dominated by submerged macrophytes up to a greater depth than large lakes, and helophytes colonised smaller lakes in an earlier phase. 8. The effect of inundation by the river was modest. This could be because most of our lakes are rarely inundated during the growing season and experience only moderate current velocities while flooded. 9. The results have practical implications for future management of flood plains for conservation purposes. In new water bodies, macrophyte domination will be promoted if many small shallow lakes, rather than few large deep ones, are excavated.     

Climate-related differences in the dominance of submerged macrophytes in shallow lakes

It has been suggested that shallow lakes in warm climates have a higher probability of being turbid, rather than macrophyte dominated, compared with lakes in cooler climates, but little field evidence exists to evaluate this hypothesis. We analyzed data from 782 lake years in different climate zones in North America, South America, and Europe. We tested if systematic differences exist in the relationship between the abundance of submerged macrophytes and environmental factors such as lake depth and nutrient levels. In the pooled dataset the proportion of lakes with substantial submerged macrophyte coverage (> 30% of the lake area) decreased in a sigmoidal way with increasing total phosphorus (TP) concentration, falling most steeply between 0.05 and 0.2 mg L⁻¹. Substantial submerged macrophyte coverage was also rare in lakes with total nitrogen (TN) concentrations above 1–2 mg L⁻¹, except for lakes with very low TP concentrations where macrophytes remain abundant until higher TN concentrations. The deviance reduction of logistic regression models predicting macrophyte coverage from nutrients and water depth was generally low, and notably lowest in tropical and subtropical regions (Brazil, Uruguay, and Florida), suggesting that macrophyte coverage was strongly influenced by other factors. The maximum TP concentration allowing substantial submerged macrophyte coverage was clearly higher in cold regions with more frost days. This is in agreement with other studies which found a large influence of ice cover duration on shallow lakes' ecology through partial fish kills that may improve light conditions for submerged macrophytes by cascading effects on periphyton and phytoplankton. Our findings suggest that, in regions where climatic warming is projected to lead to fewer frost days, macrophyte cover will decrease unless the nutrient levels are lowered.     

Effects of an artificial protection structure on the sandy shore macrofaunal community: the special case of Lido di Dante (Northern Adriatic Sea)

Biomanipulation of eutropicated peaty lakes has rarely been successful; clear water with dense macrophyte stands fails to develop in most cases. It was unclear whether (1) high turbidity due to resuspension by benthivorous fish or wind is the major cause of low macrophyte density or whether (2) the establishment of submerged macrophyte stands is prevented by a lack of propagules, low cohesive strength of the lake sediment, high concentrations of phytotoxics, grazing by waterfowl and/or shading by periphyton growth. These hypotheses were tested in an experiment in a shallow peat lake in the Netherlands (Terra Nova). Removal of fish from a 0.5 ha experimental site resulted in clear water and the development of a dense (90% coverage) and species-rich (10 species) submerged vegetation. At a fish-stocked site and a control site the water remained turbid and dense macrophyte stands did not develop. The establishment of submerged macrophytes appeared not to be limited by a lack of propagules. Introduced plants grew poorly in turbid water, but very well in clear water. Exclosures showed that bird grazing reduced the plant biomass. In clear water grazing seemed to enhance the vegetation diversity. Periphyton development did not prevent plant growth in clear water. After the experiment, the fish stock was greatly reduced in the whole lake (85 ha), to test if (3) in a large lake, submerged macrophyte stands will not develop after biomanipulation. In the first season after fish reduction, transparency increased and species-rich submerged macrophyte stands developed, covering 60% of the shallow parts of the lake. Most of the species known to have occurred in the past re-established. The results indicate that high turbidity caused by benthivorous fish in combination with bird grazing were the major causes of the absence of submerged macrophyte stands in this lake. Abiotic conditions after the clearing of the lake were suitable for the growth of macrophytes. We infer that the restoration potential of submerged macrophyte stands in eutrophicated peaty lakes can be high, and results can be obtained quickly.     

Disentangling natural and anthropogenic drivers of changes in a shallow lake using palaeolimnology and historical archives

Shallow lakes are susceptible to catastrophic regime shifts characterised by the presence or absence or macrophytes. However, the long-term controls on macrophyte succession in shallow lakes are incompletely understood. To investigate this, we analysed multiple sediment proxies in Lake Rotcze (Eastern Poland), a small, shallow and densely macrophyte-covered lake to (1) reconstruct the ‘reference conditions’ (sensu WFD) and development of the lake in recent centuries, (2) compare historical evidence with the sedimentary record, and (3) identify the natural and anthropogenic drivers of macrophyte succession. Before the twentieth century, conditions in the lake may be referred to as ‘reference conditions’. Subsequently forest clearance in the catchment resulted in lower water transparency, but concurrent catchment drainage lowered water levels and increased macrophyte development. Since 1950 elevated nutrient supply and climatically driven increases in water levels led to the deterioration of water transparency and partial macrophyte withdrawal. At the end of the twentieth century lake-level drawdown led to low phytoplankton biomass and clear water creating a novel ecosystem where macrophytes invade the whole lake. These patterns suggest that both natural and anthropogenically induced water level fluctuations have been critical drivers of macrophyte development.     

Waterfowl,macrophytes, and the clear water state of shallow lakes

The importance of lake ecosystems for waterfowl remains a topic of debate. In order to assess how temporal variations in lake features, specifically shifts between alternative stable states, may interact with the waterfowl fauna, we performed a long-term (22 years) study of the shallow Lake Krankesjön, southern Sweden. Lower total numbers of waterfowl occurred during periods with low macrophyte cover and turbid water, than when submersed macrophytes flourished and the water was clear. Some specific functional groups of waterfowl, such as herbivores, invertebrate, and fish feeders, showed a positive relation to clear water and high macrophyte cover. Hence, our data suggest that some migratory waterfowl may select lakes based on water quality, thereby adjusting their large-scale migratory routes. On the other hand, omnivorous waterfowl exhibited their highest abundances during turbid conditions. Furthermore, waterfowl not primarily relying on food from the lake showed no response to fluctuations in turbidity or macrophyte cover, but followed regional trends in population dynamics. In our study lake, L. Krankesjön, we estimated that waterfowl remove less than 3% of the macrophyte biomass during a stable clear-water state with lush macrophyte beds. However, during transition periods between alternative stable states, when macrophyte biomass is lower and the plants already stressed, the consumption rate of waterfowl may have a stronger effect on lake ecosystem functioning.     

Effects of macrophytes on lake‐water quality across latitudes: a meta‐analysis

Macrophytes are widely recognized for improving water quality and stabilizing the desirable clear‐water state in lakes. The positive effects of macrophytes on water quality have been noted to be weaker in the (sub)tropics compared to those of temperate regions. We conducted a global meta‐analysis using 47 studies that met our set criteria to assess the overall effects of macrophytes on water quality (measured by phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration, total nitrogen concentration, total phosphorus concentration, Secchi depth and the trophic state index) and to investigate how these effects correlate with latitude using meta‐regressions. We also examined if the effects of macrophytes on lake‐water quality differ with growth form and study design in (sub)tropical and temperate areas by grouping the data and then comparing the effect sizes. We found that macrophytes significantly reduced phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration, total nitrogen concentration, total phosphorus concentration, as well as the trophic state index, but they did not have a significant overall effect on Secchi depth. The effects of macrophytes on reducing phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentration, total nitrogen concentration and the trophic state index did not differ with latitude. However, the reduction of total phosphorus concentration was greater at lower latitudes. We showed that at lower latitudes, the positive effects of macrophytes on water quality are similar to or greater than those at higher latitudes, thus challenging the prevailing paradigm of macrophytes being less effective at enhancing lake‐water quality in the (sub)tropics. Furthermore, our data showed that the macrophyte effects vary by growth forms, and the growth forms that positively affect water quality differ between the (sub)tropical and temperate areas. We showed a lack of significant macrophyte effects in surveys within and outside macrophyte stands, suggesting difference in the sensitivities of study designs or possibly weaker effects of macrophytes in lakes compared to experimental settings.     

西太湖水生植物时空变化

水生植物在浅水湖泊生态系统中具有十分重要的作用。根据中国科学院太湖湖泊生态系统研究站1989年以来的常规监测资料,将西太湖（除东太湖以外的湖区）划分为9个区,采用点截法（point intercept method）,于2002～2005年对各区水生植物的种类、生物量和空间分布情况进行了6次调查。结果表明：西太湖现有水生植物16种,分属于11科12属;水生植物总面积约10220hm^2,其中沉水植物分布面积约占64．58％;挺水植物约占0．29％;漂浮植物约占38．16％。各个种之间生物量差异显著,马来眼子菜、荇菜、芦苇的生物量在所有水生植物中居前3位。多样性分析表明,水生植物种类4a来未发生明显变化,但种类和生物量季节性差异较大。水生植物呈环状分布在距湖岸5km以内的水域和部分岛屿周围,东岸和南岸为水生植物的主要集中分布区域,分布区连续性好,且水草种类齐全。挺水植物种类单一,仅有芦苇（Phragmites communis）一种,分布区域多限于水深小于1．6m的湖岸;沉水植物共有8种,为水生植物的主要组成部分,马来眼子菜（Potamogeton malaianus）的分布频度最高,在西山岛周围水域逐年扩张,成为该区域的先锋种;漂浮植物3种,主要以荇菜（Nymphoides peltata）为主,在七都水域有逐渐扩张的趋势。马来眼子菜、芦苇、荇菜表现出对水环境较强的适应能力,目前为西太湖的3个优势种。20世纪50年代以来,西太湖水生植物种类减少了50种,其中水质下降是导致水生植物种类不断减少甚至消失的一个重要原因。围网养殖和不合理的捕捞方式也对局部水域的植物造成极大的破坏。水生植物生存环境日益严峻,种群单一化趋势日益明显。     

沉水植物重建对富营养水体氮磷营养水平的影响

利用富营养浅水湖泊(武汉东湖)中所建立的大型实验围隔系统,研究了沉水植物对水体N、P营养水平的影响．结果表明,沉水植物重建后N、P营养水平显著降低．在研究期间,水生植物围隔总N和总P水平均显著低于对照围隔和大湖水体,而且水生植物围隔的总P含量一般维持在0．1mg·L^-1左右。季节性波动远低于对照围隔和大湖水体．水生植物围隔水体中氨态氮和亚硝态氮含量较低．而硝态氮含量与对照围隔和和大湖水体差别不大．由此可见。恢复以沉水植物为主的水生植被,可以有效地降低N、P营养循环速度,控制浮游植物过度增长,是重建富营养湖泊生态系统的重要措施．     

Macrophyte species drive the variation of bacterioplankton community composition in a shallow freshwater lake

Macrophytes play an important role in structuring aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we explored whether macrophyte species are involved in determining the bacterioplankton community composition (BCC) in shallow freshwater lakes. The BCC in field areas dominated by different macrophyte species in Taihu Lake, a large, shallow freshwater lake, was investigated over a 1-year period. Subsequently, microcosm experiments were conducted to determine if single species of different types of macrophytes in an isolated environment would alter the BCC. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), followed by cloning and sequence analysis of selected samples, was employed to analyze the BCC. The DGGE results of the field investigations indicated that the BCC changed significantly from season to season and that the presence of different macrophyte species resulted in lower BCC similarities in the summer and fall. LIBSHUFF analysis of selected clone libraries from the summer demonstrated different BCCs in the water column surrounding different macrophytes. Relative to the field observations, the microcosm studies indicated that the BCC differed more pronouncedly when associated with different species of macrophytes, which was also supported by LIBSHUFF analysis of the selected clone libraries. Overall, this study suggested that macrophyte species might be an important factor in determining the composition of bacterial communities in this shallow freshwater lake and that the species-specific influence of macrophytes on BCC is variable with the season and distance.     

洪泽湖大型水生植物群落结构和时空格局的GIS模拟

2010—2011年对洪泽湖大型水生植物进行了4个季度全面的调查和研究, 共发现大型水生植物8科12种, 其中沉水植物9种, 挺水植物1种, 浮叶植物2种。马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)、微齿眼子菜(P. maackianu)、篦齿眼子菜(P. pectinatus)和菹草(P. crispus)为全年优势度较高的水生植物, 但4个季节大型水生植物的优势种类组成差异明显。秋季的水草生物量最高, 其次为夏季和冬季, 春季最低。结合GPS (Global Position System)和GIS (Geographic Information System), 利用GIS的Kring插值法对洪泽湖大型水生植物总生物量及主要优势物种的时空分布进行了可视化模拟。结果发现洪泽湖现阶段大型水生植物分布区域主要集中在湖区北部水质较好、透明度较高且相对封闭的成子湖区。文章也分析了洪泽湖大型水生植物变迁的潜在影响因子, 为水生植物保护和生态系统健康提供了基础依据。     

Lakeside reed border characteristics at Lake Constance (Untersee): A comparison between 1981–1983 and 1994

Eutrophication and the associated proliferation offilamentous algae were often considered importantcauses of reed die-back that occurred in the sixtiesand seventies at Lake Constance. According to thishypothesis the reduction in lake water nutrientconcentrations during the eighties and nineties shouldhave reduced the abundance of filamentous algae andwhich should have reduced the supposed mechanicalimpact of filamentous algae on the lakeside reedstands. To examine whether this had actually occurred,the condition of the lakeside reed border at LakeConstance (Untersee) was surveyed in 1994 and resultswere compared to those of similar surveys carried outin the years 1981–83. The extent of mechanical damageto reed stalks, the amount of macrophyte wash and thedegree of shoreline erosion were assessed forshoreline segments of 25 m along a total shorelinelength of 65 km. The results showed that mechanicaldamage to reed stalks was generally higher in 1994than in 1981–83, while macrophyte wash and shorelineerosion were generally less severe. The decreasedamount of macrophyte wash was associated with a changein macrophyte species composition from a dominance offloating filamentous algae to a dominance of rootedPotamogetonaceaeand fragile Characeae,and therefore probably was due to the lower nutrientconcentrations of the lake. The opposite trends foundfor mechanical damage to reed stands and the amount ofmacrophyte wash between 1981–83 and 1994, as well asthe absence of relation between the two variables in1994, suggested that macrophyte wash had only a minoreffect on the condition of lakeside reed stands atLake Constance. Highly damaged reed stands and erodedcliffs were often located at wind exposed sites orclose to highly frequented shipping routes in 1994,suggesting that mechanical stress from waves wasresponsible for the damage. Due to the lakewardprogression of reed stands during the early nineties,reed stalks were, on average, located in deeper waterin 1994 than in 1981–83. This might have strengthenedthe mechanical stress from wave action even more andhave caused the higher frequency of mechanical damageto reed stalks. Other causes of damage such asmacrophyte wash, roosts of birds or bird swarmsprobably played a minor and only local role.