An experimental test of the crayfish (orconectes immunis) as a control mechanism for submersed aquatic macrophytes

Abstract

The ability of the crayfish Orconectes immunis to graze submersed aquatic macrophytes was evaluated experimentally. Crayfish at a biomass greater than 140–150 g m−2(fresh weight) significantly decreased macrophyte biomass in all experiments. The rate of crayfish grazing in cages where significant decreases in macrophyte biomass occurred averaged 0.012 g m−2day−1crayfish−1(ash-free dry weight) of macrophytes. © 1994 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.