Development of floating-leaved vegetation in three lakes of varied trophy (Leczna-Wlodawa Lakeland)

Abstract

Development of floating-leaved vegetation in three lakes of varied trophy (Leczna-Wlodawa Lakeland)Nymphaeids are a typical component of littoral vegetation in European lakes. In different types of water bodies they create large stands. This group of macrophyte species grows not deeper than 3 metres, but depending on clarity and depth. The aim of this study was to determine the percentage share and biomass of nymphaeids in investigated lakes with varying trophy and way of use. Furthermore, another aim of the study was a comparative analysis of morphometric features among dominant species of nymphaeids. The studied lakes are a group of eutrophic lakes, in various stages of its advancement from the low eutrophic Lake Płotycze Sobiborskie, through the eutrophic Lake Płotycze Urszulińskie to the highly eutrophic Lake Zienkowskie. In the studied lakes, nymphaeids formed a large part of the phytolittoral as well as macrophyte biomass, the smallest in the strongly eutrophic lake, the largest in the eutrophic lake. In the studied lakes appeared both Nymphaea candida species as well as intermediate forms. Neither the use of the lake nor habitat conditions affected the differentiation of the analysed characteristics of Nuphar lutea, while the most sensitive species was Nymphaea candida.