Ecology of Macrophytes

aquatic macrophytes

macroscopic forms of aquatic vegetation, including macroalgae, aquatic mosses and ferns, and aquatic angiosperms

types of aquatic macrophytes

• emergent

• submerged

• floating

  • attached

  • unattached

role of rooted macrophytes

act as nutrient pumps - take nutrient from sediments and release them to the water column when they die

role of floating plants

take nutrients from surface waters

general role of macrophytes

• reduce turbidity

• stabilize sediments

• reduce erosion

• improve water clarity

production and food webs

• macrophytes are highly productive

• most production enters food webs through detrital pathways

threats to macrophytes

• nutrient enrichment

• pollution

• acidification

• climate change

• brownification

• invasive species