The impact of eutrophication on aquaticmacrophyte diversity in weakly mineralized streams in the Northern Vosges mountains(NE France)

Abstract

The relationships between water chemistry and aquatic macrophyte species were studied in an attempt to evaluate the impact of eutrophication on aquatic macrophyte diversity in weakly mineralized streams in the Northern Vosges mountains (NE France). The macrophyte specific richness and abundance increased along an upstream to downstream zonation, which was characterized by an increase in mineralization and nutrient levels. A comparison of aquatic macrophyte diversity of two streams has shown the impact of human-induced perturbations (fish-farms, domestic sewage) in such weakly mineralized and poorly buffered waters. Disturbed sites with very high nutrient loading were characterized by a low vascular plant richness and by the presence of filamentous algae. In order to preserve the floristic diversity of weakly mineralized streams, water quality should be improved, the riverbanks restored and discharges reduced.