Some effects of siltation upon aquatic macrophyte vegetation in rivers

Abstract

Despite the high silt loads of its rivers through the recently accelerated erosion of soils in South Africa, there appears to have been no intensive and direct work upon the effects of this siltation upon the aquatic macrophyte vegetation. Available data indicate a general decline in the aquatic vegetation as a result of the changed aquatic environments. The need for research on the aquatic and fringing vegetation is emphasized, and the need for conservation of the fringing vegetation along natural drainage lines.