The effects of flowing water and organic matter on the spatial distribution of submersed macrophytes

Abstract

We investigated the relationships between the biomass of submersed aquatic plants (Potamogeton malaianus and Potamogeton oxyphyllus) and flow velocity, water depth, and organic matter in sediment in a fourth order stream in Japan. In spite of narrow ranges of current velocity (0–37 cm/s) and water depth (0–35 cm) in the study reach, plants were more abundant at moderate depth. Plant biomass was negatively correlated with water depth and water flow but positively correlated with organic matter content of the sediment. © 2004, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.