Environmental influences on aquatic plants in freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

Aquatic plants are important components of many freshwater ecosystems. In this review we examine natural and anthropogenic influences on the distribution and abundance of aquatic plants, and develop a conceptual model of those diverse interactions. Species of aquatic plants vary greatly in their anatomy, physiology, life-history traits, and ability to tolerate inorganic and biological stressors. Key examples of inorganic stressors are extreme regimes of flow velocity, irradiance, salinity, ice cover, temperature, nutrients, and pollutants. Stressors associated with competition, herbivory, and disease may also limit the ability of species to utilize otherwise suitable habitats. Some aquatic plants have a cosmopolitan distribution and display high levels of polymorphism and phenotypic plasticity in response to variations of environmental factors; these qualities allow them to occur over a wide range of conditions. Other species, however, have narrower tolerances and are potentially useful indicators of environmental conditions, in terms of either their presence or relative abundance within communities. In this review, we examine key environmental influences affecting aquatic plants, and their potential use as indicators at local, watershed, and regional scales.Key words: aquatic plants (aquatic macrophytes), environmental factors, environmental indicators, environmental stressors.

Urbanization effects on the composition and structure of macrophytes communities in a lotic ecosystem of Pernambuco State, Brazil

“…These authors identify these plants as potential forage species. Lacoul and Freedman (2006) state that in lotic environments, in general, the macrophyte communities are better developed and have a higher supply of nutrients. However, when analyzing the biomass of sampling sites in the Toritama area (Sites 3 and 4) and in the metropolitan region of Recife (Sites 5 and 6), we found a greater biomass of macrophytes in the rainy season in non-urban areas (Tables 3, 4, and 5).…”

Twenty-first century climate change and submerged aquatic vegetation in a temperate estuary: the case of Chesapeake Bay

“…The physiological impacts are numerous. Warming may decrease photosynthesis and increase respiration (Ryan 1991), thereby impacting the distribution, modes of reproduction, germination, growth, and dormancy of freshwater SAV (Welch 1952;Barko and Smart 1981;Lacoul and Freedman 2006). However, the response of freshwater aquatic plants to climate warming is species-specific, and varies even for locally adapted "biotypes" (e.g., Barko and Smart 1981;Pip 1989;Svensson and Wigren-Svensson 1992;Santamaría and Van Vierssen 1997;Rooney and Kalff 2000;Sala et al 2000;Amano, Iida, and Kosuge 2012).…”

“…However, the response of freshwater aquatic plants to climate warming is species-specific, and varies even for locally adapted "biotypes" (e.g., Barko and Smart 1981;Pip 1989;Svensson and Wigren-Svensson 1992;Santamaría and Van Vierssen 1997;Rooney and Kalff 2000;Sala et al 2000;Amano, Iida, and Kosuge 2012). Some species exhibit earlier germination and increased productivity, while others do not (Mckee et al 2002;Lacoul and Freedman 2006). Most submerged freshwater plants require temperatures above 10°C during the growing season, exhibit optimal growth between 10°a nd 20°C, but do not survive temperatures above 45°C (Anderson 1969;Lacoul and Freedman 2006).…”

“…Some species exhibit earlier germination and increased productivity, while others do not (Mckee et al 2002;Lacoul and Freedman 2006). Most submerged freshwater plants require temperatures above 10°C during the growing season, exhibit optimal growth between 10°a nd 20°C, but do not survive temperatures above 45°C (Anderson 1969;Lacoul and Freedman 2006). There is some information regarding the impacts of warming on native and non-native species of freshwater plants in the Chesapeake Bay.…”

A new multi-criteria method for the ecological assessment of lakes: A case study from the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve ‘West Polesie’ (Poland)

“…The proposed index is based on macrophyte communities (i.e., non-ligneous plants between Spermatophyta, Pteridophyta, Bryophyta, macroscopic Algae and even some Lichens), integrated with data related to ecology, syndynamics, geomorphology (shoreline, catchment, water chemistry) and land use features (i.e., disturbance, management, threats). Attention was paid to the qualitative and quantitative structure of the macrophytes (Lacoul and Freedman, 2006) as bio-indicator, trying to develop a simple, fast and accurate tool to monitor lake systems. The method we proposed, in addition to the overall assessment of the ecological status of lakes, it provides also an indication of the more threatened zones; making possible to improve their ecological status, reducing threats or fostering restoration activities and landscape planning policies.…”