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The Structuring Role of Submerged Macrophytes in Lakes pp 381–392Cite as

Structuring Role of Macrophytes in Lakes: Changing Influence Along Lake Size and Depth Gradients

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Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 131))

Abstract

Emergent, floating-leaved, and submergent macrophytes grow in the littoral region of most lakes. These aquatic macrophytes are influenced by geomorphology, environmental conditions, and biotic interactions (Sculthorpe, 1967; Hutchinson, 1975), while exerting their own influence on the lake environment and biota (Carpenter and Lodge, 1986; Engel, 1988). The capacity of macrophytes to provide a substrate for colonization of algae and invertebrates (Sozska, 1975; Cat-taneo and Kalff, 1980; Dvorak and Best, 1982; Cattaneo, 1983; Morin, 1986; Schram et al., 1987; Miller et al., 1989), to affect water and sediment chemistry as well as other limnological conditions (Carpenter and Gasith, 1978; Prentki et al., 1979; Jaynes and Carpenter, 1986), and to influence biogeochemical cycles and productivity (Wetzel and Hough, 1973; Godshalk and Wetzel, 1978; Wetzel, 1979; Carpenter, 1980; Cattaneo and Kalff, 1980; Carpenter, 1983; Wetzel, 1990) and biotic interactions (Crowder and Cooper, 1982; Heck and Crowder, 1991; Schriver et al., 1995; see also this volume) is well recognized. The understanding of the role of macrophytes in lacustrine systems is based mostly on process studies, small-scale investigations (ponds, test plots), observations in small lakes, and modeling (Carpenter and Lodge, 1986). It is intuitively obvious that the influence of macrophytes in most small or shallow aquatic systems is proportional to their abundance (density, biomass, or extent of cover) and productivity. Little is known about the role of macrophytes in situations in which they are less conspicuous, as in large

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  1. Avital Gasith
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  2. Mark V. Hoyer
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  1. Department of Lake and Estuarine Ecology, National Environmental Research Institute, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark

    Erik Jeppesen  & Morten Søndergaard  & 

  2. Freshwater Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, DK-3400, Hillerød, Denmark

    Martin Søndergaard  & Kirsten Christoffersen  & 

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Gasith, A., Hoyer, M.V. (1998). Structuring Role of Macrophytes in Lakes: Changing Influence Along Lake Size and Depth Gradients. In: Jeppesen, E., Søndergaard, M., Søndergaard, M., Christoffersen, K. (eds) The Structuring Role of Submerged Macrophytes in Lakes. Ecological Studies, vol 131. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0695-8_29

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