“…They act physically on the environment by hampering wave action and water flow and stabilizing sediment (Brix, 1997;Madsen et al, 2001) in addition to strongly affecting nutrient cycling and the physico-chemical characteristics of both water and sediment Barko et al, 1988;Carter et al, 1991;Spencer et al, 1994;Wigand et al, 1997;Havens, 2003). Aquatic vegetation also interacts closely with other members of aquatic communities, supplying food, shelter, and refuge for a diversity of organisms such as fishes, invertebrates, and waterfowl (Brönmark, 1989;Posey et al, 1993;Chick & McIvor, 1997;Figuerola et al, 2003;Pelicice et al, 2005;Rybicki & Landwehr, 2007).…”