Diversity Of Aquatic Macrophytes Research Articles

Quantitative Assessment of Macrophytes Diversity and their Status in Wetlands of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (India)

The most significant and taxonomically varied biotic element in every aquatic environment is aquatic macrophytes. They play a vital role in maintaining the ecosystem's structure and functionality. Additionally serving as bioindicators of the general health of a water body are macrophyte kinds, variety, density, and depth. In present study, the quantitative diversity of aquatic macrophytes was assessed from different wetlands of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya which is a central university and holds four important water bodies in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state, India. A total of 33 aquatic macrophytes species were identified belonging to 21 families from wetlands of Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya. These macrophytes were grouped as floating, submerged and emergent mainly dominated by emergent macrophyte species followed by floating and submerged i.e., 23, 8 and 2 species respectively. The highest species diversity was observed in Pond 1 and 4 with 26 species each and highest species richness was observed in Pond 4 with 158 individual counts, the highest IVI was achieved by emergent Ipomoea carnea (16.492) and the highest occurring family was found to be Cyperaceae (12.12% of total species). Other diversity indices were calculated as 3.451, 0.042, 33 and 0.946 for Shannon-Wiener Index (H’), Simpson's Index (D), Species Richness (R), and Evenness (E) respectively. However, for the conservation and sustainable utilization of aquatic ecosystems, it is necessary to understand the status and importance of macrophytes to the ecosystem and its functioning.

PEMULIHAN PERAIRAN TERCEMAR MENGGUNAKAN MAKROFITA AIR

Indonesia possesses a potential and diverse biodiversity of plants that can be utilized as phytoremediation agents. One of the ecosystems frequently encountering pollution is the aquatic ecosystem. Therefore, this research is conducted to identify the diversity of aquatic macrophytes with the potential for water remediation efforts. The method employed is qualitative descriptive based on literature review. The literature study revealed 30 species of aquatic macrophytes, with 15 species prominently utilized for environmental remediation. Among these, Ipomea aquatica and Scirpus grossus emerge as the most widely employed aquatic macrophytes.

Erratum to: The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in the Northern Pacific

Erratum to: The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in the Northern Pacific

Environmental DNA of aquatic macrophytes: The potential for reconstructing past and present vegetation and environments

Abstract Environmental DNA is increasingly being used to reconstruct past and present biodiversity including from freshwater ecosystems. Macrophytes are especially good environmental indicators, thus their environmental DNA palaeorecord might shed light on past postglacial environments. Here, we first review and compare studies that use metagenomics, targeted capture, and various barcoding and metabarcoding markers, in order to explore how each of these methods can be used to capture aquatic vegetation diversity and change. We then investigate the extent to which such a record can be leveraged for reconstructing local environmental conditions, using a case study based on macrophyte ecological niches. We find that, with state‐of‐the‐art DNA barcode reference libraries, using metabarcoding to target the P6 loop region of the chloroplast trnL (UAA) intron is optimal to maximise taxonomic resolution and the diversity of past macrophyte communities. Shotgun sequencing also retrieves a high proportion of aquatic macrophyte diversity, but has the lowest taxonomic resolution, and targeted capture needs to be more widely applied before comparisons can be made. From our case study, we infer past aquatic habitats from sedimentary ancient DNA records of macrophyte taxa. We reconstructed Holocene thermal range, continentality, water pH, trophic status, and light conditions in northern Fennoscandia. We show an overall stability since 9,000 years ago, even though individual lakes display different trends and variation in local climatic and physico‐chemical conditions. Combined with the availability of near‐exhaustive barcode and traits databases, metabarcoding data can support wider ecological reconstructions that are not limited to aquatic plant taxonomic inventories but can also be used to infer past changes in water conditions and their environmental drivers. Sedimentary DNA is also a powerful tool to measure present diversity, as well as to reconstruct past lacustrine and fluvial communities of aquatic macrophytes.

Study on diversity and therapeutic potential of aquatic macrophytes in the freshwater bodies of Canchipur, Manipur (India)

Study on diversity and therapeutic potential of aquatic macrophytes in the freshwater bodies of Canchipur, Manipur (India)

Ecological assessment of pit lakes in Raniganj, India: Application of different indices and multivariate statistics

ABSTRACT Coal mine generated open pit lakes are well distributed in Raniganj coal field area, West Bengal, India. This paper screened out ecological state macrophyte index (ESMI), water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical methods to assess the ecological status of four pit lakes, Nagrakonda, Joyalbhanga, Dalurbandh, and Kumardihi. Seven water quality parameters (pH, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, Secchi depth nitrate, chloride, and phosphate) and six sediment quality parameters (pH, organic carbon, bulk density, particle density, available nitrogen and phosphorus) were analyzed for one year on a monthly basis from four pit lakes. The abundance and diversity of aquatic macrophytes were also analyzed. In the studied pit lakes, water and sediment quality variables showed significant spatial variation. WQI showed that the water quality in all pit lakes was good and according to ESMI these lakes were categorized into good ecological status. The results of this study indicated the values of water quality and macrophyte based indices highlighted the ecological condition of the pit lakes of the study sites thus should be considered it as reliable tool for assessing of the ecological status of any wetlands.

Environment and time drive the links between the species richness and ecosystem multifunctionality from multitrophic freshwater mesocosms

Understanding the link between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning is imperative for ecosystem-based management. The role of multitrophic diversity in sustaining multifunctionality remains unclear, especially in highly diverse aquatic ecosystems. We performed a species-addition experiment consisting of one, two, three, and five species in simulated multitrophic ecosystems to evaluate biodiversity and ecosystem functioning relationships within and across trophic levels. Our results showed that there are positive species richness–productivity relationships within and across trophic levels. We found significant negative correlations between species richness and the cumulative variation of total phosphorus, and between species richness and ecosystem multifunctionality across trophic levels. Also, we found that the relationships between ecosystem multifunctionality and species richness within and across the trophic levels are mediated by a combination of environmental factors, including water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, irradiance, and time, rather than by species richness. Our results imply that species richness–ecosystem functioning relationships vary for different ecological functions; the individual ecosystem functions selected and the way multifunctionality calculated are critical when examining links between biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality. Our study highlights that multitrophic richness, such as for consumers, is crucial for driving ecosystem multifunctionality. Furthermore, our study implies that management practices for restoring the diversity of aquatic macrophytes in wetlands should consider not only macrophyte richness but also different functional groups and life-forms.

The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in the Northern Pacific

The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in the Northern Pacific

The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in Northern Pacific

The Kava River Basin (Northern Okhotsk Area) as a Hotspot of Aquatic Macrophyte Diversity in Northern Pacific

Diversity of Aquatic Macrophytes in Four Blocks of Purba Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

The Current research was conducted to find the diversity of aquatic macrophytes in four selected block areas of Purba Medinipur district in the Indian State West Bengal. This overall study was conducted for a duration of 18 months, from February 2021 to August, 2022. A total of 67 aquatic macrophytes under 54 genera belonging to 32 families were identified from the study areas. Among them, about 18% represents the floating macrophytes, 40% emergent, 8% submerged and 34% marginal. Poaceae, Araceae, Asteraceae, Ulvaceae, Convolvulaceae, and Acanthaceae are the families that contain most of the identified species.

Occurrence and nutrient retention of aquatic macrophytes in roadside streams in the Mount Cameroon region

Roadside streams in the Mount Cameroon region are predisposed to nutrient enrichment from different anthropogenic activities carried out around catchment areas. The composition and diversity of aquatic macrophytes in three roadside streams in the MCR, the biomass, and nutrient accumulation of the most abundant aquatic macrophytes in one of the streams were assessed in order to better understand and quantify the benefits accruing from these macrophytes. Vegetation sampling was carried out along the transects at 50 m intervals, within which plots were laid. Quadrats of 1m by 1m were sub-sampled within each plot and all plants were identified and enumerated. Water, sediment, and plant samples were collected and analysed for nutrients using standard procedures (nitrogen and phosphorus). The results show that the aquatic vegetation of the roadside streams is limited to emergent (> 98%) and floating-leaved life forms. A total of 47 aquatic macrophytes from 18 plant families were identified from the 3 studied wetlands in the Mount Cameroon region. Plant taxa with many representative species included Poaceae (8 species), Araceae (6), Acanthaceae (5), and Asteraceae (4). A high Shannon-Wiener diversity was recorded across study sites (H ≥ 2.9) with the highest in Ombe and the least in Bota. P. purpureum showed significantly higher biomass (p < 0.05) compared to the other macrophytes. It had the highest fresh weight and dry weights (FW: 12.8±1.45 kg/m2 and DW: 0.81± 0.11kg/m2) relative to C. benghalensis and I. aquatica.TN content was highest in C. benghalensis (12.92 ± 0.67 g/kg). P. pupureum and I. aquatica didn’t differ significantly in their nitrogen content (P≤ 0.05) while all three species contained high phosphorus concentrations in their above-ground tissues. TP storage was in the order C. benghalensis >P. purpureum>I. aquatica. This suggests that aquatic macrophytes play vital roles in retaining phosphorus and nitrogen hence affecting water quality and nutrient dynamics of these streams. These nutrient-rich plants can be removed from the aquatic system by harvesting and used as fodder to prevent nutrient release into the water column through decomposition after plant dieback.

High aquatic macrophyte diversity in Norwegian lakes north of the Arctic Circle

Abstract Aquatic macrophytes recolonised inland waters following the last glacial retreat. The resulting diversity and the variables influencing it remain largely unexplored north of the Arctic Circle, including possible effects of past colonisation routes. Our understanding of species diversity north of the Arctic Circle has also been hampered by a lack of control in sampling effort. Here we use a newly assembled set of lake surveys from Norway to test: (1) whether regional richness (γ diversity) as well as turnover, net gain and loss (β diversity) of species differ between bioclimatic zones, latitudinal bands, and geographical regions; (2) how the environment and the spatial structure (e.g. dispersal constraints) may predict lake species richness (α diversity); and (3) how the changes in species β diversity between lakes are related to these environmental and spatial gradients. We expected high species turnover with longitude, net species loss with latitude and higher species richness in north‐east compared to mid Norway due to geographical dispersal barriers and past recolonisation routes. However, the regional species richness was similar across all geographical regions after correcting for sampling effort and spatial extent, with slightly lower richness in north Norway (−4%) and north‐east Norway (−11%) than expected by the species area relationship. Species β diversity (both turnover and loss) was also surprisingly low between most areas. Species richness per lake increased with lake area and temperature, showed a preferential peak at 10 μg/L total phosphorus, was sensitive to spatial structure, and largely indifferent to calcium (or alkalinity). In contrast, β diversity (mostly turnover) increased with differences in calcium, total phosphorus, and latitude, while not responding much to temperature and lake area. Species loss and gain between lakes were hardly related to any of the selected variables. Overall, species richness (α, γ) was higher than expected north of the Arctic Circle mostly due to species turnover with little net loss. These patterns suggested good dispersal abilities by aquatic plants, after controlling for sampling efforts and spatial extent. Conservation of aquatic plants should not be driven by the delineation of terrestrial vegetation zones, but through an understanding of the variables affecting aquatic plant diversity. Finally, northern lakes may be increasingly important as reservoirs of macrophyte diversity under global warming.

A Survey of Aquatic Macrophytes in the Akassa Axis of the River Nun, Niger Delta, Nigeria

An ecological study was conducted to measure the diversity of aquatic macrophytes and nutrient levels of the River Nun estuary around Akassa, Niger Delta, Nigeria. This was done to ascertain the current ecological status of the estuary and gauge the ecological health of the water body as a result of anthropogenic additions into the water body. Macrophye and Subsurface samples were collected from three sampling points on the estuary. Macrophyte samples were identified using standard keys while water samples were investigated for pH, Salinity, Nitrates, Phosphates, and Sulphates. Result from the study reveals the presence of 17 species of aquatic macrophytes from 8 families. All nutrient parameters were within the permissible levels. There is no significant difference (P>0.05) in pH, salinity and sulphate between stations. There is a significant difference (P<0.05) in nitrate and phosphate between stations. The diversity of macrophytes was also uniformly high in all stations. The preponderance of macrophytes in this study agrees with the aphorism that marine ecosystems contain a high diversity of living organisms. The River Nun is therefore not under any immediate ecological threat.

Spatio‐temporal, ontogenetic and sex‐related patterns in resource use of Amazonian manatees across floodplains and estuaries as inferred by δ13C and δ15N isotopic values

Abstract Threats to aquatic mammals may occur in isolation or in combination, leading to cumulative effects on populations and their ecosystems. Thus, conservation actions must consider the complexity of factors involved in patterns of habitat use, including feeding ecology, such as ontogenetic, spatial and temporal dietary shifts. The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) occurs in a variety of environments, such as várzeas and igapós (flooded areas) and estuaries. Different environments can lead to variation in the diet of manatees according to the availability and abundance of plant species. Stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of manatee teeth was performed to assess spatio‐temporal, ontogenetic and sex‐related patterns in resource use. Mixing models were applied to identify the most consumed plant groups. In várzeas, there were significant interactions between sex and ontogenetic class and ontogenetic class and time series for δ13C values. For manatees sampled from 1994 to 2004, males and adults showed the highest δ15N values, and aquatic C3, followed by C4 plants, were the groups that most contributed to the species’ diet. Comparisons among the environments showed the highest δ13C values for manatees from várzeas and the lowest values for manatees from igapós. Várzeas had the highest abundance of C4 plants (high δ13C values), whereas they are scarce in igapós, leading manatees to consume mainly C3 species. The isotopic values of manatees mirrored those of the most available food sources in each environment, supporting the generalist and opportunist behaviour described for the species. Therefore, threats to the diversity, distribution and abundance of aquatic macrophytes, such as contamination, cattle raising and changes in the hydrological cycle (as a consequence of dams and climate change), will affect the diet of the manatee and should be taken into account when designing conservation strategies for the species.

Aquatic Macrophytes in Southern Amazonia, Brazil: Richness, Endemism, and Comparative Floristics

Southern Amazonia harbors a wide diversity of aquatic macrophyte species because of its diverse wetland habitats and location in the Amazon-Cerrado transition zone, which spans the two largest biogeographic domains in South America. We investigated the taxonomic diversity of aquatic macrophytes in the region with a focus on endemism, species richness, and life forms. We present new records of aquatic macrophyte species and compare our results with other Brazilian phytogeographic domains. We found a high number of species of aquatic macrophytes for the southern Amazon region, comparable to extensive inventories in southern, northeastern, and northern regions of Brazil. We recorded 709 species of aquatic macrophytes in 313 genera and 97 families, which includes 90 species endemic to Brazil and five species endemic to the Brazilian Amazonia. The macrophyte species list of southern Amazonia showed < 25% similarity to inventories in Amazonia and Cerrado. This high diversity of aquatic macrophytes in southern Amazonia, with endemic species and others with restricted ranges, emphasizes the need for conserving these wetlands and vegetation types.

High abundance of a single taxon (amphipods) predicts aquatic macrophyte biodiversity in prairie wetlands

Conservation programs often aim to protect the abundance of individual species and biodiversity simultaneously. We quantified relations between amphipod densities and aquatic macrophyte (large plants and algae) diversity to test a hypothesis that biodiversity can support high abundance of a single taxonomic group. Amphipods (Gammarus lacustris and Hyalella azteca) are key forage for waterfowl and are declining in the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. We sampled a large gradient of amphipod densities (0–7050 amphipods/m3) in 49 semi-permanent wetlands, and 50% of the study wetlands had high amphipod densities (> 500 amphipods/m3). Generalized linear models revealed G. lacustris and H. azteca densities increased exponentially with macrophyte diversity indices. Further, H. azteca densities were greatest at moderate levels of submersed vegetation biomass. Community analyses showed both amphipod species were positively associated with diverse macrophyte assemblages and negatively associated with high coverage of cattails (Typha spp.), a taxon that creates monotypic stands, as well as bladderwort (Utricularia spp.), a carnivorous plant. Our results indicate that amphipods could be used as an umbrella species for protecting diverse macrophyte communities in semi-permanent and permanent wetlands of North America’s Prairie Pothole Region.

Long-term analysis of aquatic macrophyte diversity and structure in the Paraguay river ecological corridor, Brazilian Pantanal wetland

Spatial and temporal variation in limnological variables, as well as local changes in the hydrological pattern, may affect inundation hydrology and alter biotic interactions and functional diversity of aquatic macrophyte communities in the Pantanal. The objectives of this research in the floodplain along the Paraguay River were to: 1) examine changes in the diversity of aquatic macrophyte communities over a ten-year period based on surveys taken in 2008 and 2018; and 2) evaluate the possible indirect relation of changes in rainfall patterns, which in turn affect lateral hydrological connectivity and limnological variables that directly affect the composition and productivity of the aquatic macrophyte community. Comparison of data taken in 2008 and 2018 revealed a change in the timing and a reduction in the number of rainy days. These changes in rainfall patterns coincided with limnological changes, including increases in transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, nitrate, total nitrogen, orthophosphate, and total phosphorus, as well as decreases in water temperature and connectivity. Species richness of aquatic macrophyte communities in three ecological zones of the Paraguay River floodplain increased between 2008 and 2018, with increases in emergent grasses, emergent non-grasses, and amphibious life forms, showing a trend that favors species that are more adapted to drought conditions. The seasonal pattern of inundation and desiccation, as well as dissolved oxygen and temperature, where correlated with macrophytes communities variations. The colonization and expansion of rooted emergent macrophytes over this period could be a response to local anthropogenic activities, hydrological trends, or may reflect interannual rainfall variability.

Restoration of aquatic macrophytes with the seed bank is difficult in lakes with reservoir-like water-level fluctuations: A case study of Chaohu Lake in China

Aquatic vegetation in lakes along the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River has been seriously degraded by human disturbances such as river–lake disconnection and water eutrophication. Chaohu Lake is a typical lake with reservoir-like water-level fluctuations (WLFs). Since a sluice was built in 1962, the coverage of aquatic vegetation in Chaohu Lake has been very low (0.77%). In this study, field investigations of the aquatic vegetation and seed bank of Chaohu Lake were conducted, and aboveground vegetation diversity was found to be low. Forty-eight species were recorded, of which submerged, floating-leaved, and emergent macrophytes were 1, 5, and 10, respectively. Currently, artificially planted Phragmites australis and Salix communities have become the main community types. A total of 18 aquatic macrophytes were identified in the seed bank, of which the number of submerged, floating-leaved, and emergent macrophytes and hygrophytes were 2, 2, 3, and 11, respectively; the seed density was 2.05, 2.05, 16.93, and 9.30 ind./m2, respectively. The seed density of aquatic macrophytes was much lower in Chaohu Lake than in the lakes with quasi-natural WLFs, and the seeds were mainly distributed in the estuary area. Only two emergent macrophyte species (Typha) germinated in the open water area. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the distance to bank was the main environmental factor that affected aquatic macrophyte diversity and seed density in the seed bank. It is not feasible to promote the natural reconstruction and restoration of aquatic macrophytes in Chaohu Lake by decreasing the water level or increasing water transparency, but the area near the estuary can be identified as a priority restoration area (PRA) for aquatic macrophytes. Artificial transformation of the micro-topography can be used to guide some hydrochorous seeds in the tributaries to the PRA and restore aquatic vegetation in the local area.

Survey on aquatic macrophytes and physico-chemical quality of water from Satla Beel of Barishal district, Bangladesh

Preliminary taxonomic survey on aquatic plants of Satla Beel was conducted from May 2021 to August 2021. A complete of thirty aquatic plant species under twenty families was recorded from Satla Beel. Ecological habitats of hydrophyte species showed variations. The Study was conducted to estimate the diversity of aquatic macrophytes and the physico-chemical parameters of water from four different locations in study area. The chosen parameters were water depth, electric conductivity, pH, salinity, total dissolved solid (TDS), phosphate and dissolved oxygen (DO). Water depth fluctuated from 152 cm to 213 cm, conductivities ranged from 0.23 ms/cm to 0.29 ms/cm, pH scale ranged from 6.60 to 7.60, salinity ranged from 132 to 148 ppm and TDS from 349 ppm to 393 ppm. Mean DO and phosphate were recorded as 3.28 mg/L and 762.25 μg/L, respectively.

Distribution and diversity of aquatic macrophytes and the assessment of physico-chemical parameters of Dakatia beel in Khulna district, Bangladesh

The physico-chemical characteristics of water and aquatic macrophytes from Dakatia Beel under Khulna district in Bangladesh were studied within January, 2020 to February, 2021. Twenty three species of aquatic macrophytes belonging to 15 families have been recorded. The aquatic macrophytes in Dakatia Beel collected from several sites belonging to 23 genera and 15 families (Lemnaceae, Pontederiaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Onagraceae, Parkeriaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiacee, Nymphaceae). We also observed the different plant groups which comprises 6 species of floating, 10 species of emergent and only 2 species of submerged aquatic macrophytes. Dissolved oxygen ranged between 1.78 to 2.2 mg/L with a mean value 1.95 mg/L. The study area showed maximum total dissolved solid 588 ppm and the minimum in 482 ppm with a mean value of 534 ppm. Maximum value of phosphate was noted in 1029 μg/L and minimum 988 μg/L with a mean value of 1005 μg/L. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 118-125