Floating-leaved macrophyte (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trapa quadrispinosa</Emphasis> Roxb) beds have significant effects on sediment resuspension in Lake Taihu,China

Trapa quadrispinosa Roxb is a common floating-leaved macrophyte in China. In this study, the effects of Trapa on sediment resuspension in Lake Taihu, a large, shallow, eutrophic lake in eastern China, were investigated using sediment traps. The study was conducted at stations with and without Trapa beds from 7 September to 18 October, 2003. Results showed that sediment resuspension rates at the station without Trapa were significantly higher than those at the station with Trapa. During the study period (41 days), 10,970 g dw m⁻² of surface sediment was resuspended within the Trapa beds and 29,903 g dw m⁻² in the pelagic zone. These equate to phosphorus fluxes of 7.4 g m⁻² to the water column at the station with Trapa and 16.1 g m⁻² at the station without Trapa. Floating-leaved macrophytes, such as Trapa, may be important in sediment resuspension and internal phosphorus loading in shallow lakes.     

Seed Bank Variation Along a Water Depth Gradient in a Subtropical Lakeshore Marsh,Longgan Lake,China

Although zonation patterns of the standing vegetation along a water depth gradient in wetlands have been well described, few studies have explored whether such patterns also occur in the seed bank. This study examined patterns of the seed bank along a water depth gradient in three vegetation types (submerged zone, floating-leaved zone, and emergent zone) of a subtropical lakeshore marsh, Longgan Lake, China. Submerged zone is the deepest water and never exposed its soil to air, and was dominant by submerged species; floating-leaved zone is waterlogged soil even during drawdown and was dominant by Nelumbo nucifera; emergent zone is rarely exceeded 1 m water depth during the wet season (summer and autumn), and the marsh soil was usually exposed to air during drawdown (winter and spring), and is dominant by Zizania latifolia, Polygonum hydropiper and Scirpus yagara. It was found that many species were ubiquitous in the seed bank. Frequency of distribution and densities of the dominant species, however, varied significantly from zone to zone. A total of 22 species was recorded in submerged zone, 20 in floating-leaved zone, and 29 in emergent zone. Germinated seedling density was 1,580, 8,994 and 20,424 seedlings m⁻² in submerged zone, floating-leaved zone, and emergent zone, respectively. Submerged and floating-leaved species were significantly abundant in the submerged zone, while the emergent species were found predominantly in the emergent zone. A fern species, Ceratopsis pterioides, was the most abundant seedling in seed banks from all three zones. A TWINSPAN dendrogram and CCA ordination diagram clearly showed separation of species among sites with the emergent zone being well separated from the submerged zone and floating-leaved zone, thus revealing marked zonal patterns in species distributions in the seed bank. This pattern of zonation reflected the pattern in the standing vegetation.     

Above- and belowground competition between two submersed macrophytes

Several studies have shown that submerged macrophytes provide a refuge for zooplankton against fish predation, whereas the role of emergent and floating-leaved species, which are often dominant in eutrophic turbid lakes, is far less investigated. Zooplankton density in open water and amongst emergent and floating-leaved vegetation was monitored in a small, eutrophic lake (Frederiksborg Slotssø) in Denmark during July–October 2006. Emergent and floating-leaved macrophytes harboured significantly higher densities of pelagic as well as plant-associated zooplankton species, compared to the open water, even during periods where the predation pressure was presumably high (during the recruitment of 0+ fish fry). Zooplankton abundance in open water and among vegetation exhibited low values in July and peaked in August. Bosmina and Ceriodaphnia dominated the zooplankton community in the littoral vegetated areas (up to 4,400 ind l^?1 among Phragmites australis and 11,000 ind l^?1 between Polygonum amphibium stands), whereas the dominant species in the pelagic were Daphnia (up to 67 ind l^?1) and Cyclops (41 ind l^?1). The zooplankton density pattern observed was probably a consequence of concomitant modifications in the predation pressure, refuge availability and concentration of cyanobacteria in the lake. It is suggested that emergent and floating-leaved macrophytes may play an important role in enhancing water clarity due to increased grazing pressure by zooplankton migrating into the plant stands. As a consequence, especially in turbid lakes, the ecological role of these functional types of vegetation, and not merely that of submerged macrophyte species, should be taken into consideration.     

Energy content of water- and bog-plant associations in the region of Valdivia (Chile)

Summary Mapping the vegetation of the littoral zone of different types of aquatic habitats in the region of Valdivia (Chile) submerged Egerietum densum, the emergent Sagittario-Alismetum and the Scirpetum californiae were found. In the littoral zone of the banados (i.e. lakes) formed by inundation after subsidence the submerged Egerietum densum, the floating-leaved Polygono-Jussiaetum and the emergent Juncetum procerii; the analyzed pond of Mehuin contained the Callitrichetum stagnalis chilensis and the artificial ponds close to La Union the Lemno-Azolletum. The caloric values of 18 hydrophytes showed a decline from the large emergent hydrophytes (3 818 cal/g) to the submerged (2 907 cal/g) and there was also a decrease from the free-floating (3 652 cal/g) to the floating-leaved (3 364 cal/g) and to the submerged plants. In the most eases high caloric values correspond to a high content of lignin (large emergent hydrophytes) or lipids (floating-leaved plants).We thank Mrs. Bölke and Mr. Delgado for technical help and the Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia for fluancial support.     

Epiphytic algae and macroinvertebrates on submerged and floating-leaved macrophytes in an Italian lake

1. The presence of contiguous beds of submerged (Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum and Najas marina) and floating-leaved (Trapa natans) vegetation in a north Italian lake allowed us to test the effect of the different host architecture on epiphytic algae and invertebrates and to predict the consequences for the lake of changes in the predominant vegetation. 2. Epiphyton development, measured as carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, chlorophyll a (Chl a), phaeophytin and as algal and macroinvertebrate density, was significantly higher on submerged plants than on T. natans. The C : Chl a ratio, a proxy of the ratio of heterotrophs to autotrophs, was higher on the floating-leaved plants. The elemental (C : N : P) and pigment (Chl a : phaeophytin) ratios were not significantly different between the two vegetation types. 3. The taxonomic composition of epiphytic algae and invertebrates was similar on the different plants. The more varied morphology of the floating-leaved T. natans resulted in a higher diversity of epiphytic algae, however, but not of macroinvertebrates. 4. There was a significant inverse relationship between epiphyton biomass and the standing crop of the host plant, suggesting a key role for light and water exchange in epiphyton development. 5. Replacement of floating-leaved by submerged plants would increase the total biomass of epiphytic algae and invertebrates.     

Floating-leaved and emergent vegetation as habitat for fishes in a eutrophic temperate lake without submerged vegetation

Although submerged vegetation is considered to be the most suitable refuge against predators and form of foraging habitat for small fishes, submerged plants are often scarce or lacking in turbid eutrophic lakes. To evaluate emergent (Zizania latifolia) and floating-leaved (Nelumbo nucifera) vegetation as refuge areas against predators and as foraging habitats for small fishes, we investigated the fauna, abundance, and size distribution of the fish community as well as the abundance of possible prey for small fishes in beds of each vegetation type in a eutrophic shallow lake: Lake Teganuma in Japan. The leaves and stems of N. nucifera occupied an area 4.2 times larger than that of Z. latifolia. The high coverage of the water surface with plants most likely induced the hypoxia found in the N. nucifera bed. The diversity of small fishes was greater in the Z. latifolia bed with piscivorous fish than in the N. nucifera bed without piscivorous fish. The diversity of fish species in the vegetation was enhanced when there was an increased diversity of possible food sources rather than an absence of predators. Some aquatic insects of the same species had a much lower δ¹³C signature at hypoxic locations than at less hypoxic locations in the N. nucifera bed. Such site differences within a bed were not observed in the organisms caught in the Z. latifolia bed. The insects in hypoxic zones with a δ¹³C signature lower than ?30 ‰ were more depleted in ¹³C than the surface sediment or attached algae, suggesting that the larvae in the hypoxic zones incorporated the organic materials generated by methane-oxidizing bacteria. We can therefore conclude that floating-leaved vegetation, especially a N. nucifera bed, is not suitable as a replacement for submerged vegetation because of its potential to induce hypoxia, which can decrease the diversity of the fish fauna.     

Phosphorus release from resuspended sediment in the shallow and wind-exposed Lake Arresø, Denmark

Wind-induced sediment resuspension occurs frequently in the shallow and eutrophic Lake Arresø, Denmark. The impact of resuspension on internal phosphorus loading was investigated by laboratory experiments studying P-release from the undisturbed sediment surface and by experiments simulating resuspension events.Phosphorus release from undisturbed sediment sampled in May and August was 12 mg and 4 mg m^–2 d^–1, respectively. During experimental simulation of resuspension, soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) increased by 20–80 µg l^–1, which indicates that a typical resuspension event in the lake would be accompanied by the release of 150 mg SRP m^–2. The internal P loading induced by resuspension is estimated to be 60–70 mg m^–2 d^–1, or 20–30 times greater than the release from undisturbed sediment.SRP release during simulation of resuspension was mainly dependent on the equilibrium conditions in the water column and was basically independent of the increase in suspended solids and the duration of resuspension. A second simulation of resuspension conducted 26 hours later, did not result in any further release of SRP from sediment sampled in May. In contrast, there was an additional SRP release from sediment sampled in August, indicating that an exchangable P pool, capable of altering equilibrium conditions, is built up between resuspension events.It is concluded that resuspension, by increasing the P flux between sediment and water, plays a major role in the maintenance of the high nutrient level in Lake Arresø. A relatively high release rate is maintained during resuspension because of the low Fe:P ratio and the high concentration of NH₄Cl-extractable P in the sediment.     

Grazing by a native and an exotic crayfish on aquatic macrophytes

1. We compared grazing by native noble crayfish ( Astacus astacus ) and the exotic signal crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ) on seedling or well-established macrophytes.
2. In a pool experiment, seedlings of emergent Scirpus lacustris and floating-leaved Potamogeton natans were heavily grazed by adult signal crayfish, whereas established plants of the same species sustained only minor damage.
3. In a preference experiment two submerged macrophytes ( Chara vulgaris and Elodea canadensis ), and both seedlings and established plants of S. lacustris and P. natans , were presented pairwise to signal and noble crayfish. There was no significant difference in preference by the two crayfish species. Chara vulgaris was preferred to all other plants presented, established plants of S. lacustris and P. natans were never preferred, and seedlings of P. natans were preferred to established P. natans .
4. An aquarium experiment was conducted in which the consumption of Chara by signal and noble crayfish was measured in relation to water temperature. Signal crayfish consumed significantly more Chara than noble crayfish, especially at higher temperatures.
5. Our results indicate that the signal crayfish is the more voracious grazer especially at higher temperatures. There may be negative effects on vegetation (emergents and floating-leaved, as well as submerged species) when the signal crayfish is introduced. Chara species are particularly susceptible, since they are preferred by crayfish and the genus includes a large number of rare species. Stocking of crayfish therefore could lead to the decline or removal of submerged species in order of crayfish feeding preferences and could prevent the spread or cause a decline of emergent and floating-leaved vegetation.     

Phosphorus dynamics at multiple time scales in the pelagic zone of a large shallow lake in Florida,USA

Phosphorus (P) dynamics in large shallow lakes are greatly influenced by physical processes such as wind-driven sediment resuspension, at times scales from hours to years. Results from long-term (30 year) research on Lake Okeechobee, Florida (area 1,730 km², mean depth 2.7 m) illustrate key features of these P dynamics. Variations in wind velocity result in changes in water column transparency, suspended solids, and total P (TP). In summer there are diurnal changes in TP associated with afternoon winds, and in winter, when strong winds occur for multiple days, monthly average TP remains high compared to summer. The magnitude of daily and seasonal TP changes can exceed 100 μg l⁻¹. Hurricanes and tropical storms also cause extreme changes in TP that are superimposed on seasonal dynamics. When a hurricane passed 80 km south of the lake in October 1999, mean pelagic TP increased from 88 to 222 μg l⁻¹. During large resuspension events, light attenuation is substantially increased, and this influences the biomass and spatial extent of submerged plants, as well as water column TP. In Lake Okeechobee, TP concentrations typically are ∼20 μg l⁻¹ when submerged plants are dense, and soluble reactive P concentrations are reduced below detection, perhaps by the periphyton and plant uptake and by precipitation with calcium at high pH. In contrast, TP exceeds 50 μg l⁻¹ when submerged plants and periphyton are absent due to prolonged deep water, and phytoplankton biomass and algal bloom frequency both are increased. In Lake Okeechobee and other large shallow lakes, complex models that explicitly consider wind-wave energy, hydrodynamics, and sediment resuspension, transport, and key biological processes are needed to accurately predict how lake water TP will respond to different management options.     

Leaf life span of floating-leaved plants

Photosynthetic capacity of floating-leaved plants is relatively high comparable with terrestrial herbaceous plants, though floating-leaved plants have a much smaller biomass with a leaf area index seldom exceeding 2m²m^-2. Their rather small biomass accumulation is related to higher turnover of leaf biomass or shorter leaf life span. Life span of floating leaves reported in the literature ranged mostly from 13 to 35 days, shorter than that of any other groups of herbaceous macrophytes. Floating-leaved plants are known to show considerably high plasticity in their leaf form. Leaf life span could be prolonged for Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze grown in a terrestrial environment and for emergent leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. Their short leaf life span seems to be closely related to the fact that old leaves covered by newly formed ones are inevitably compelled to be submerged and lose their function as a photosynthetic apparatus.Abbreviations LAI leaf area index - PFD photosynthetic photon flux density     

The Influence of Macrophytes on Sediment Resuspension and the Effect of Associated Nutrients in a Shallow and Large Lake (Lake Taihu,China)

A yearlong campaign to examine sediment resuspension was conducted in large, shallow and eutrophic Lake Taihu, China, to investigate the influence of vegetation on sediment resuspension and its nutrient effects. The study was conducted at 6 sites located in both phytoplankton-dominated zone and macrophyte-dominated zone of the lake, lasting for a total of 13 months, with collections made at two-week intervals. Sediment resuspension in Taihu, with a two-week high average rate of 1771 g·m^-2·d^-1 and a yearly average rate of 377 g·m^-2·d^-1, is much stronger than in many other lakes worldwide, as Taihu is quite shallow and contains a long fetch. The occurrence of macrophytes, however, provided quite strong abatement of sediment resuspension, which may reduce the sediment resuspension rate up to 29-fold. The contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus to the water column from sediment resuspension was estimated as 0.34 mg·L^-1 and 0.051 mg·L^-1 in the phytoplankton-dominated zone. Sediment resuspension also largely reduced transparency and then stimulated phytoplankton growth. Therefore, sediment resuspension may be one of the most important factors delaying the recovery of eutrophic Lake Taihu, and the influence of sediment resuspension on water quality must also be taken into account by the lake managers when they determine the restoration target.     

Response of a eutrophic, shallow subtropical lake to reduced nutrient loading

1. Lake Apopka (FL, U.S.A.) was subjected to decades of high nutrient loading from farms developed in the 1940s on converted riparian wetlands. Consequences included perennially high densities of cyanobacteria, low water transparency, elimination of submerged vegetation, modified fish community, and deposition of nutrient‐rich, flocculent sediments. 2. Initial steps were taken to reduce phosphorus (P) loading. Through strengthened regulation and purchase of farms for restoration, external P loading was reduced on average from 0.56 to 0.25 g P m^?2 year^?1 (55%) starting in 1993. The P loading target for the lake is 0.13 g P m^?2 year^?1. 3. For the first 6 years of P loading reduction the annual sedimentation coefficient (σ) averaged 13% less than the prior long‐term value (0.97 versus 1.11 year^?1). The sedimentation coefficient, σ, was lower in the last 3 years of the study, but this period included extreme low‐water conditions and may not be representative. Annual σ was negative (net P flux to the water column) only 1 year. 4. Wind velocity explained 43% of the variation in σ during the period before reductions in total phosphorus (TP) concentration of lake water, but this proportion dropped to 6% after TP reductions. 5. Annual mean TP concentrations differed considerably from values predicted from external loading and hydraulic retention time using the Vollenweider–Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development relationship. Reductions in lake water TP concentration fit model predictions better when multiyear (3‐year) mean values were used. 6. Evidence available to date indicates that this shallow, eutrophic lake responded to the decrease in external P loading. Neither recycling of sediment P nor wind‐driven resuspension of sediments prevented improvements in water quality. Reductions in TP concentration were evident about two TP‐resident times (2 × 0.9 year) after programmes began to reduce P loading. Improvements in concentrations of chlorophyll a and total suspended solids as well as in Secchi transparency lagged changes in lake‐water TP concentration but reached similar magnitudes during the study.     

Grazing by a native and an exotic crayfish on aquatic macrophytes

1. We compared grazing by native noble crayfish ( Astacus astacus ) and the exotic signal crayfish ( Pacifastacus leniusculus ) on seedling or well-established macrophytes.
2. In a pool experiment, seedlings of emergent Scirpus lacustris and floating-leaved Potamogeton natans were heavily grazed by adult signal crayfish, whereas established plants of the same species sustained only minor damage.
3. In a preference experiment two submerged macrophytes ( Chara vulgaris and Elodea canadensis ), and both seedlings and established plants of S. lacustris and P. natans , were presented pairwise to signal and noble crayfish. There was no significant difference in preference by the two crayfish species. Chara vulgaris was preferred to all other plants presented, established plants of S. lacustris and P. natans were never preferred, and seedlings of P. natans were preferred to established P. natans .
4. An aquarium experiment was conducted in which the consumption of Chara by signal and noble crayfish was measured in relation to water temperature. Signal crayfish consumed significantly more Chara than noble crayfish, especially at higher temperatures.
5. Our results indicate that the signal crayfish is the more voracious grazer especially at higher temperatures. There may be negative effects on vegetation (emergents and floating-leaved, as well as submerged species) when the signal crayfish is introduced. Chara species are particularly susceptible, since they are preferred by crayfish and the genus includes a large number of rare species. Stocking of crayfish therefore could lead to the decline or removal of submerged species in order of crayfish feeding preferences and could prevent the spread or cause a decline of emergent and floating-leaved vegetation.     

筑坝扩容下高原湿地拉市海植物群落分布格局及其变化

基于遥感与地理信息系统技术、结合实地调查与验证,对高原湿地拉市海筑坝扩容13a来湿地植物群落类型、物种组成、空间分布格局进行研究,对比分析筑坝扩容前后植物群落变化特征。结果表明,拉市海当前分布有水葱 (Scirpus tabernaemontani)、两栖蓼 (Polygonum amphibium) 等2个挺水植物群落,鸭子草 (Potamogeton tepperi)、菱 (Trapa bispinosa)等2个浮叶植物群落,穗状狐尾藻 (Myriophyllum spicatum)、篦齿眼子菜 (Potamogeton pectinatus)、菹草 (Potamogeton crispus)、穿叶眼子草 (Potamogeton perfoliatus)、小叶眼子菜 (Potamogeton pusillns)等5个沉水植物群落,草甸植被分布于湖周。湿地植物物种共计61种,隶属于25科、48属,物种丰富度随沉水→浮叶→挺水→草甸逐渐增加。沉水植物群落分布面积最大(615.08 hm²),其次是草甸(214.60 hm²)、浮叶植物群落(140.01 hm²),挺水植物群落分布面积最小 (9.34 hm²),群落垂直层次随沉水→浮叶→挺水呈复杂化的趋势。筑坝13a来,拉市海植物群落类型从单一的沉水型植物群落发展成为由沉水、浮叶、挺水型组成的、水平空间多样化配置的湿地植被系统,其中穗状狐尾藻、篦齿眼子菜、小眼子菜等植物群落在筑坝蓄水13a后没有发生演替得以保留,而扇叶水毛茛(Butrachium bungei)、马来眼子菜(Potamogeton malaianus)和轮藻(Chara spp.)群落发生演替而消失。研究掌握了筑坝扩容下拉市海湿地植物群落分布格局及其变化特征,为科学评估筑坝蓄水对湿地生态系统的影响提供了基础性数据,同时也为水文改变下高原湿地生态系统的保护、管理以及资源可持续利用提供了一定的理论依据。     

Effects of vegetation and hydrologic load on sedimentation patterns in experimental wetland ecosystems

Vegetation and water velocity effects on patterns of sediment deposition were tested by monitoring sedimentation rates in dense cattail, open water, and transitional vegetation zones at distances of 5, 10, and 20 m from the inflows of two experimental wetland basins at the Des Plaines River Wetlands Demonstration Project, northeastern Illinois, USA. One basin received a high hydrologic load (up to 50 cm/wk) and one basin received a low load (up to 6 cm/wk). Sediment deposition rates within 20 m of the inflows reached 3300 g dry wt m⁻² day⁻¹ in the high-load basin and 700 g dry wt m⁻² day⁻¹ in the low-load basin. Vegetation patterns did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on sediment deposition rates in the high-load basin, whereas water velocity effects on rates of sedimentation were significant (P < 0.01) in three of four periods of monitoring. In the low-load basin, vegetation effects were significant (P < 0.01) during the entire period of investigation. Experimental research at this scale aids in the assessment of design criteria for constructed wetlands.     

Assessing constructed wetland functional success using diel changes in dissolved oxygen, pH, and temperature in submerged, emergent, and open-water habitats in the Beaver Creek Wetlands Complex, Kentucky (USA)

We assessed the functional success of restored wetlands by determining if the patterns in dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, and pH were similar to those conditions observed in natural wetlands. The Beaver Creek Wetlands Complex consists of dozens of marshes and ponds built in a former Licking River floodplain, in the hills of east Kentucky, USA. In natural wetland ecosystems, aquatic primary production is highest in emergent and submerged vegetations zones; where daybreak dissolved oxygen (DO) is often near zero, and DO may rise to well over 100% saturation past mid-day. Open-water areas, dominated by phytoplankton, have less dramatic diel DO fluctuations—often without pre-dawn anoxia. Compared to open water, temperatures fluctuate less dramatically in vascular vegetation, due to shading and suppression of wind and waves. Measurements of ecosystem metabolism (diel changes in DO and pH) in three aquatic habitats of the constructed wetlands (emergent vegetation, submerged vegetation, open water) were compared to these natural ideals. In Beaver Creek Wetlands, water temperature patterns were not as dramatic as in natural habitats, nor did they did follow a similar trend. Waters in emergent vegetation (29.5 °C) were warmest; submerged vegetation coolest (26.5 °C); open-water intermediate (27.4 °C). Diel DO and pH patterns were not similar to natural habitats. Highest net primary production (NPP) and gross primary production (GPP) were measured in emergent vegetation waters (mean GPP = 7.58 g m⁻² d⁻¹); lowest in submerged vegetation (mean GPP = 5.48 g m⁻² d⁻¹); and intermediate in open-water (mean GPP = 6.95 g m⁻²d⁻¹). Diel pH changes were greatest in the highly productive emergent waters (median maximum daily difference of 0.36), and not as pronounced in submerged vegetation and open-water (median maximum change = 0.16 and 0.22, respectively). Water-column respiration was generally about double NPP. Like natural ecosystems, near anoxic DO concentrations were consistently measured in emergent and submerged plants before dawn; whereas open-water zones were generally >4 mg l⁻¹. These restored wetland systems may need more time to be functionally equivalent to natural marshes.     

The effect of wave-reduction engineering on sediment resuspension in a large, shallow, eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu)

Frequent resuspension of sediments is recognized as an important process in large shallow lakes, impeding the recovery of eutrophic lakes. A large-scale project, including a wave barrier (3.3 km long) and a soft enclosure, was implemented to reduce wave energy and sediment resuspension in Lake Taihu, eastern China. The effects of the wave-reduction engineering on sediment resuspension and internal nutrient loading were investigated. Results showed that sediment resuspension rates as well as suspended solids (SS) in the areas protected by the wave barrier and the soft enclosure were significantly lower than in the unprotected areas. There was a positive relationship between total phosphorus (TP) and SS; thus internal loading of phosphorus was significantly reduced by the wave-reduction structure. High nutrient levels and phytoplankton biomass persisted during the experiment period, suggesting that additional measures, such as re-establishment of the macrophyte community, must be included to help restore the water quality in such a large, shallow and eutrophic lake.     

Macro-invertebrate communities associated with the macrophytes of Lake Vechten: structural and functional relationships

The macro-invertebrates associated with eight species of emergent, floating-leaved and submerged macrophytes were recorded in May-June 1979. The plant species were: Phragmites australis, Sparganium erectum, Typha angustifolia, Polygonum amphibium, Ceratophyllum demersum, Elodea sp., Myriophyllum spicatum and Nitella mucronata.All macrophytes had a high number of macro-invertebrate species in common; however, some animals were also species-specific, particularly those occurring on the emergent plants. As regards the food source and feeding mechanism, the detritivores, periphytiscrapers and omnivores predominated, followed by predatory carnivores. The seston-filtrators also form a significant part of the community biomass. The macrofaunal distribution depended strongly on colonizable plant surface area and vegetation density. The macrofaunal communities of the Elodea, Ceratophyllum and Phragmites stands contributed mainly to the lake's carbon cycle. Being poorly represented by herbivores, the macro-invertebrate communities will affect the lake's primary production only slightly.     

Effects of environmental factors on gross caloric values of three life-forms aquatic plants on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau,China

Aims Gross caloric value (GCV) reflected plants’ capability of converting solar energy. It provided a reliable indicator of plants’ adaptations to environments in perspective of energy conversion and fixation. The aims of this study were (1) to illustrate the characteristics of GCV of aquatic plants on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, (2) to explore the geographical and environmental patterns and (3) to discuss the underlying mechanisms in forming the patterns.
Methods In July and August 2015, we collected 533 samples of aquatic plants’ leaves in 143 field sites on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, and measured their GCV using SDACM-4000 oxygen bomb calorimeter. Together with mean annual temperature (MAT) of climatic factor and properties of water body, this study compared the differences of GCV among submerged, emergent and floating-leaved plants by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s HSD. We further regressed GCV of submerged and emergent plants against geographical and climatic factors and properties of water body by simple regression to explore the relative effects of environmental factors on GCV.
Important findings On the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, the mean GCV was (15.95 ± 3.90) kJ·g^-1. Among the three life forms, the rank of GCV was the emergent plants (18.10 kJ·g^-1) > the floating-leaved plants (16.77 kJ·g^-1) > the submerged plants (14.31 kJ·g^-1). With an increasing latitude, the GCV of emergent and submerged plants increased. Only GCV of emergent plants decreased with increasing altitude and temperature. The GCV of emergent and submerged plants increased with increased water salinity. Dissolved oxygen had significant negative effects on emergent plants, while pH value had no significant effects.     

The effect of different submerged macrophyte species and biomass on sediment resuspension in a shallow freshwater lake

Our study aim was to elucidate the effects of different species of submerged macrophytes and biomass levels on sediment resuspension. For this purpose experiments were conducted in four different enclosures (Potamogeton maackianus enclosure-PE, Vallisneria spinulosa enclosure-VE, manipulated enclosure-ME and aquaculture enclosure-AE). A sediment trap method was employed and the experiments were conducted from summer to winter in a shallow freshwater lake located in central China. A total of 813, 1277, 613 and 693 g DW m⁻² of sediment was resuspended in VE, AE, ME and PE, respectively. Our results showed that P. maackianus was more effective than V. spinulosa in restraining sediment resuspension. Macrophytes reached their maximum effectiveness of reducing resuspension at a certain species-specific biomass threshold above which biomass effects on resuspension were negligible. The threshold biomass was estimated as 300 g m⁻² for P. maackianus. Accordingly, within a lake management and aquaculture aspect, we conclude that as long as biomass does not fall below this threshold its consumption will not influence sediment resuspension. In the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River macrophyte coverage protects the lake sediment against adverse effects of monsoon wind; if the vegetation is eroded aquaculture sediment resuspension increases significantly.