Response of aquatic plants to abiotic factors: a review

Abstract

This review aims to determine how environmental characteristics of aquatic habitats rule species occurrence, life-history traits and community dynamics among aquatic plants, and if these particular adaptations and responses fit in with general predictions relating to abiotic factors and plant communities. The way key abiotic factors in aquatic habitats affect (1) plant life (recruitment, growth, and reproduction) and dispersal, and (2) the dynamics of plant communities is discussed. Many factors related to plant nutrition are rather similar in both aquatic and terrestrial habitats (e.g. light, temperature, substrate nutrient content, CO 2 availability) or differ markedly in intensity (e.g. light), variations (e.g. temperature) or in their effective importance for plant growth (e.g. nutrient content in substrate and water). Water movements (watertable fluctuations or flow velocity) have particularly drastic consequences on plants because of the density of water leading to strong mechanical strains on plant tissues, and because dewatering leads to catastrophic habitat modifications for aquatic plants devoid of cuticle and support tissues. Several abiotic factors that affect aquatic plants, such as substrate anoxia, inorganic carbon availability or temperature, may be modified by global change. This in turn may amplify competitive processes, and lead ultimately to the dominance of phytoplankton and floating species. Conserving the diversity of aquatic plants will rely on their ability to adapt to new ecological conditions or escape through migration.

Effects of water turbulence on plant, sediment and water quality in reed (Phragmites australis) community

“…That could be a possible explanation for the observed negative correlation for biomass ratio and turbulence. A similar trend was previously observed for Valisnaria spiralis after exposure to turbulence under laboratory conditions (Ellawala et al, 2013), whereas a similar field observation was also reported for some other aquatic plant species (Asaeda et al, 2010b;Bornette, Puijalon, 2011).…”

“…For instance, water level fluctuations strongly affect to the growth of macrophytes in middle and lower eulittoral zone (Krolova et al, 2013). Different responses for these circumstances, including variations in biomass allocation, plant growth and morphological variations, have been exhibited in plants (Asaeda et al, 2010a,b;Bornette, Puijalon, 2011;Silinski et al, 2015). Flow regimes and hydraulics are commonly cited as the main abiotic determinants that affect the architecture of the aquatic systems by altering the distribution and assemblages of plant communities (Chambers et al, 1991;Green, 2005;Olson et al, 2012;Thomaz et al, 2007).…”

Effect of water quality and season on the population dynamics of Cabomba caroliniana in subtropical Queensland, Australia

“…The availability of light for photosynthesis is one of the most important environmental factors regulating aquatic plant growth (Sand-Jensen, 1989;Bornette and Puijalon, 2011) and water clarity frequently shapes species composition in macrophyte communities (Hawes et al, 2003). Due to the reduced light availability in deeper water, depths greater than 4 m are marginal habitat for C. caroliniana.…”

Restoring macrophyte diversity in shallow temperate lakes: biotic versus abiotic constraints

“…Capers (2003) found that about 60% of the individuals that colonised bare soil in freshwater tidal areas originated from vegetative propagules. Genetic studies, however, show that recruitment from vegetative propagules versus seeds and oospores is very species specific (Nilsson et al, 2010;Bornette & Puijalon, 2011).…”

“…We focus on the importance of biotic factors, including the availability of propagules, the amount of herbivory and role of remnant populations, whereas macrophyte requirements for abiotic conditions, such as light and nutrient availability or shelter from the wind are recently reviewed in Bornette & Puijalon (2011). Furthermore, we address the importance of the composition and abundance of the macrophyte vegetation as these may affect the performance of ecosystem functions and conservation value of the vegetation.…”