Water temperature and freshwater macrophyte distribution

Abstract

Distributions of aquatic macrophytes and community species richness were examined in relation to water temperature at 345 sites in central North America. No significant interspecific differences were found for the monthly temperature ranges of the various macrophytes found within each of the ponds, lakes and lotic habitats during the growing season in the area studied. However, some species showed significant differences when all habitat types were pooled. Species richness was positively correlated with maximum seasonal water temperature in lakes. Temperature in itself does not appear to be an important factor governing the distribution of macrophytes within the study area, although it may operate through other site variables such as water body size and type, and through indirect effects on water chemistry. © 1989.