Exploring Biodiversity and Monitoring Genetic Resources of Aquatic Plants in Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

The diversity and abundance of aquatic plants in freshwater ecosystems are very important as supporting factors for ecosystems. Conservationists can help to preserve species from the threat of extinction. How can we support the most species of aquatic plants at minimum cost? One strategy is to search for them and identify biodiversity hotspots, especially where an exceptional concentration of endemic species is undergoing significant loss of habitat. The genetic resources of aquatic plants represent the health of aquatic environments, i.e. lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The erosion of these resources threatens the stability of inland water health. We examined the patterns, causes and implications of freshwater macrophyte richness and rarity in Manado. The provincial richness of all macrophyte species, including rare species, showed strong preferences for mesotrophic and eutrophic conditions. Meanwhile, the rare species occurring nationally were more evenly distributed across the entire gradient of trophic conditions. From the four survey locations in the waterfalls, lakes, and river flows of the Manado area, a total of 37 species of aquatic plants were collected. Each area surveyed included different species and this is unique to the Wallace region.