US EPA

2511966 

Journal Article 

Aquatic Plant Diversity in Eutrophic Ecosystems 

Ansari, AA; Khan, FA; Gill, SS; Varshney, J 

2011 

247-263 

10.1007/978-90-481-9625-8_12 

WOS:000283620400012 

The chapter contains studies conducted on the impact of
eutrophication on aquatic plant diversity. It covers the concept of eutrophication, its causes
and effects on plant diversity within an aquatic ecosystem. A decrease in species diversity and
disappearance of aquatic plants were noted in most of the water bodies of the world as a result
of eutrophication. The plant diversity in eutrophic ecosystems was studied with special reference
to phytoplankton and aquatic macrophytes. Studies on wetlands in western Europe showed that the
nutrient enrichment or eutrophication leads to changes in species composition, declines in
overall plant species diversity, and loss of rare and uncommon species. The nutrients are the
major limiting factors for the aquatic plant diversity. Various environmental factors play a
significant role in determining the aquatic plant diversity in a eutrophic ecosystem. In Europe
about 17 lakes underwent eutrophication and have lost all or most of their submerged species and
favoured the fast growing species capable of regrowth after weeding. The eutrophication process
causes succession of macrophytes with complete loss of submerged vegetation and dominance of
phytoplanktons. A direct relation was found between the succession of algae and trophic level of
the water body. Few studies on measurements of plant diversity such as density, frequency,
abundance, and diversity indices are included in this chapter. 

Aquatic plants; Biodiversity; Eutrophication; Ecosystems