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Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management

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A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 37369

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Angelo Troia

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Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Interests: aquatic plants; charophytes; wetlands; Mediterranean islands; conservation biology; taxonomy; Isoetes
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Dear Colleagues,

The importance of freshwater and the different inland aquatic ecosystems is becoming increasingly clear, and species living in those habitats are often threatened by human impact. Indeed, we sometimes witness the destruction of important wetlands or aquatic biotopes before we were able to appreciate their flora.

In addition, aquatic flora is often poorly known, probably because most of “classic” botanists often stop at the edge of the land/water border.

The aim of this Special Issue is to invite people studying aquatic plants (and charophytes) in inland waters to contribute to a better knowledge of these ecosystems, with basic research (involving taxonomy or ecology) or with applied research (involving the management of aquatic plants, or their use in assessing the quality of the waters or the quality of the environment), with a special focus on floating and submersed macrophytes (i.e., hydrophytes). Invasive alien aquatic species, of course, are also a possible subject.

Dr. Angelo Troia
Guest Editor

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Keywords

macrophytes
hydrophytes
charophytes
wetlands
aquatic habitats
aquatic plants
biogeography
plant conservation
plant ecology
plant dispersal
plant distribution

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Related Special Issue

Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management Ⅱ in Plants (5 articles)

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review, Other

3 pages, 199 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management

by Angelo Troia

Plants 2023, 12(3), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12030582 - 29 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1663

Abstract

The huge biodiversity of inland waters and the many different aquatic habitats or ecosystems occurring there are particularly threatened by human impacts. In this Special Issue, ten articles have been collected that show new data on the distribution and ecology of some rare aquatic macrophytes, including both vascular plants and charophytes, but also on the use of these organisms for the monitoring, management, and restoration of wetlands. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review, Other

14 pages, 2153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Changes in Macrophyte Distribution and Abundance in a Lowland River

by Andrej Peternel, Alenka Gaberščik, Igor Zelnik, Matej Holcar and Mateja Germ

Plants 2022, 11(3), 401; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11030401 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2485

Abstract

The aim of this study was to reveal the changes of macrophyte community over time and along the course of the Ižica River. In 1996, 2000, and 2016, we surveyed the distribution and abundance of macrophyte species in the lowland Ižica River, which originates in the town of Ig and then flows through an agricultural landscape. We calculated the River Macrophyte Index (RMI), which reflects the ecological status of the river. In 2016, ecomorphological conditions of the river, using the Riparian, Channel and Environmental inventory, were also assessed. In just 10.5 km of the river, we identified 27 taxa of macrophytes, among which Potamogeton natans, Sagittaria sagittifolia, and P. perfoliatus were the most abundant. Detrended correspondence analysis showed that, in 1996, the surveyed stretches differed more according to macrophyte composition than in the following years. The assessed environmental parameters explained 43% of the variability of the macrophyte species; riverbank stability explained 20%, riverbed structure 10%, while vegetation type of the riparian zone and bottom type explained 7 and 5%, respectively. The species composition of the macrophyte community revealed significant changes over the years of the riverine ecosystem. Comparison of RMIs in 1996 revealed better conditions in the upper and middle part of the river, while in 2016, the situation was the opposite, since the conditions in the upper part deteriorated significantly over time, while the lower part of the river had the best ecological status. These changes may be due to a considerable increase in the population of the settlement Ig, while better status in the lower course of the river may be a consequence of improvements in the infrastructure and the use of sustainable agricultural practices in the catchment due to the establishment of a formal area of protection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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22 pages, 16906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Contribution of Historical and Morphological Studies on Herbarium Specimens to a Better Definition of Chara pelosiana Avetta (Charales, Charophyceae)

by Anna Millozza and Nadia Abdelahad

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2488; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112488 - 17 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1966

Abstract

The lectotype of Chara pelosiana Avetta 1898 was designated in 2000 by Langangen, who merged the species with Chara fibrosa Agardh ex Bruzelius. Chara pelosiana belongs to the section Agardhia Wood, but the true identity of the species has yet to be confirmed. The purpose of this work is to show some historical and morphological findings regarding this enigmatic species, on the basis of the analysis of herbarium specimens. The original material, which was studied by Avetta, is missing in Italian herbaria, but portions of it have been found in the Herbarium of Jena. Historical research on botanists related with this species resulted in the discovery of several specimens to be considered “original material”, and new unpublished localities in Northern Italy. Morphological observations have been made on portions of herbarium specimens as a contribution to unveil the taxonomic identity of this taxon. The specimens are diplostichous with ecorticate branchlets, have stipulodes in a single row, one or two per branchlet, and spine cell up to 1 mm long. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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16 pages, 37585 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Unexpected Discovery of Thelypteris palustris (Thelypteridaceae) in Sicily (Italy): Morphological, Ecological Analysis and Habitat Characterization

by Saverio Sciandrello, Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Gianmarco Tavilla and Pietro Minissale

Plants 2021, 10(11), 2448; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112448 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2792

Abstract

Thelypteris palustris Schott (Thelypteridaceae), known as “marsh fern”, is infrequent in the Mediterranean area. The occurrence of this species is known for almost all the Italian regions (except for Sardinia and Sicily), but with rare and declining populations. During floristic fieldwork on the Sicilian wetlands, a new unknown population was found. The aim of this paper is to analyze the morphological traits of the species, as well as its ecological features and the floristic composition of the plant communities where it lives. According to IUCN guidelines, here we provide the regional assessment (Sicily) of T. palustris. To analyze its morphological features, many living plants were examined, with particular attention to the spore structure. A total of 179 plots (110 species) and 34 pools were sampled. Our results highlight the relic character of the species which is at the southernmost border of its distribution range. The micro-morphological investigations on the spores show that the Sicilian population belongs to the subsp. palustris. The floristic analysis confirms the clear dominance of perennial temperate-cold zones Eurasian taxa. Finally, a new association, Thelypterido palustris-Caricetum paniculatae, within the Caricion gracilis alliance (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea class) is described. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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16 pages, 1964 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Chara zeylanica J.G.Klein ex Willd. (Charophyceae, Charales, Characeae): First European Record from the Island of Sardinia, Italy

by Ralf Becker, Hendrik Schubert and Petra Nowak

Plants 2021, 10(10), 2069; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10102069 - 30 Sep 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2189

Abstract

The first record of a species belonging to the genus Chara L. subgenus Chara R.D.Wood section Grovesia R.D.Wood subsect. Willdenowia R.D.Wood from Europe is presented here, thus challenging the interpretation of its distribution pattern as an intertropical group of charophytes. The morphological characters of the specimens, as well as the results of a phylogenetic analysis, clearly identified them as Chara zeylanica J.G.Klein ex Willd. Although the subsection Willdenowia has yet to receive a thorough taxonomic treatment, a discussion of its relationship to other taxa of this subsection is provided despite the lack of a commonly agreed upon taxonomic concept. The ecological conditions of the Sardinian site of C. zeylanica are presented. Moreover, the status of and threats to this taxon, and hypotheses regarding potential pathways through which it reached Europe, are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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12 pages, 2375 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Aquatic Macrophytes Occurrence in Mediterranean Farm Ponds: Preliminary Investigations in North-Western Sicily (Italy)

by Patrizia Panzeca, Angelo Troia and Paolo Madonia

Plants 2021, 10(7), 1292; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071292 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3003

Abstract

Mediterranean wetlands are severely affected by habitat degradation and related loss of biodiversity. In this scenario, the wide number of artificial farm ponds can play a significant role in the biodiversity conservation of aquatic flora. In the present contribution we show the preliminary results of a study on Mediterranean farm ponds of north-western Sicily (Italy), aimed to investigating the environmental factors linked to the occurrence of submerged macrophytes (vascular plants and charophytes). We studied the aquatic flora of 30 ponds and determined the chemical and isotopic composition of their water bodies on a subset of the most representative 10 sites. Results show that (1) farm ponds host few but interesting species, such as Potamogeton pusillus considered threatened at regional level; (2) Chara vulgaris, C. globularis and P. pusillus behave as disturbance-tolerant species, occurring both in nitrates-poor and nitrates-rich waters, whereas Stuckenia pectinata and Zannichellia palustris occur only in nitrates-poor waters. Although farm ponds are artificial and relatively poor habitats, these environments seem to be important for the aquatic flora and for the conservation of the local biodiversity, and can give useful information for the use of macrophytes as bioindicators in the Mediterranean area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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13 pages, 2471 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Wind Exposure Regulates Water Oxygenation in Densely Vegetated Shallow Lakes

by Cristina Ribaudo, Juliette Tison-Rosebery, Mélissa Eon, Gwilherm Jan and Vincent Bertrin

Plants 2021, 10(7), 1269; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10071269 - 22 Jun 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1803

Abstract

The presence of dense macrophyte canopies in shallow lakes locally generates thermal stratification and the buildup of labile organic matter, which in turn stimulate the biological oxygen demand. The occurrence of hypoxic conditions may, however, be buffered by strong wind episodes, which favor water mixing and reoxygenation. The present study aims at explicitly linking the wind action and water oxygenation within dense hydrophytes stands in shallow lakes. For this purpose, seasonal 24 h-cycle campaigns were carried out for dissolved gases and inorganic compounds measurements in vegetated stands of an oligo-mesotrophic shallow lake. Further, seasonal campaigns were carried out in a eutrophic shallow lake, at wind-sheltered and -exposed sites. Overall results showed that dissolved oxygen (DO) daily and seasonal patterns were greatly affected by the degree of wind exposure. The occurrence of frequent wind episodes favored the near-bottom water mixing, and likely facilitated mechanical oxygen supply from the atmosphere or from the pelagic zone, even during the maximum standing crop of plants (i.e., summer and autumn). A simple model linking wind exposure (Keddy Index) and water oxygenation allowed us to produce an output management map, which geographically identified wind-sheltered sites as the most subjected to critical periods of hypoxia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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15 pages, 1065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Diversity of Stratiotes aloides L. (Hydrocharitaceae) Stands across Europe

by Barbara Turner, Steffen Hameister, Andreas Hudler and Karl-Georg Bernhardt

Plants 2021, 10(5), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10050863 - 25 Apr 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2090

Abstract

Intense land use and river regulations have led to the destruction of wetland habitats in the past 150 years. One plant that is affected by the reduction in appropriate habitats is the macrophyte Stratiotes aloides which has become rare in several areas. The preservation of genetic diversity within a species is a prerequisite for survival under changing environmental conditions. To evaluate the level of genetic diversity within and among populations of Stratiotes aloides, we investigated samples from waterbodies across Europe using AFLP. Low genetic diversity among samples from the same population was found, proving that stands consist of few clones which propagate clonally. Nevertheless, most populations showed differences compared to other populations indicating that there is genetic diversity within the species. The analyzed samples formed two groups in STRUCTURE analyses. The two groups can be further subdivided and mainly follow the major river systems. For conserving the genetic diversity of Stratiotes aloides, it would thus be preferable to focus on conserving individuals from many different populations rather than conserving selected populations with a higher number of individuals per population. For reintroductions, samples from the same river system could serve as founder individuals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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11 pages, 2166 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Discovery of the Rare Chara baueri (Charales, Charophyceae) in Serbia

by Ivana Trbojević, Vanja Milovanović and Gordana Subakov Simić

Plants 2020, 9(11), 1606; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9111606 - 19 Nov 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3291

Abstract

Chara baueri is one of the rarest charophytes worldwide. It had been considered extinct in Europe for more than a century, from the 1870s to 2006, when it was rediscovered in Germany. The current distribution of this species is limited to a few localities in Europe (Germany, Poland and Russia), and one locality in Asia (Kazakhstan). We present a new finding of Chara baueri, to be a significant contribution to the species ecology and biogeography, and helping to review and update the current scarce knowledge. Chara baueri was discovered in Serbia and monitored for two vegetative seasons in 2018 and 2019, along with the associated macrophyte vegetation and water quality parameters. The morphology and ecology data of the species are presented comparatively with the literature data and the biogeography is critically reviewed. The population in Serbia is the first verified record of Chara baueri in southern Europe. Considering the recent findings and the knowledge accumulated in these records, Chara baueri was very possibly never extinct at all, but overlooked in Europe for the entire 20th century. We suggest that waterfowl migrating from the northern parts of Europe should be considered as the important spreading agent of Chara baueri in southern regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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Review

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33 pages, 3004 KiB

Open AccessReview

Re-Establishment Techniques and Transplantations of Charophytes to Support Threatened Species

by Irmgard Blindow, Maria Carlsson and Klaus van de Weyer

Plants 2021, 10(9), 1830; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10091830 - 3 Sep 2021

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3690 | Correction

Abstract

Re-establishment of submerged macrophytes and especially charophyte vegetation is a common aim in lake management. If revegetation does not happen spontaneously, transplantations may be a suitable option. Only rarely have transplantations been used as a tool to support threatened submerged macrophytes and, to a much lesser extent, charophytes. Such actions have to consider species-specific life strategies. K-strategists mainly inhabit permanent habitats, are perennial, have low fertility and poor dispersal ability, but are strong competitors and often form dense vegetation. R-strategists are annual species, inhabit shallow water and/or temporary habitats, and are richly fertile. They disperse easily but are weak competitors. While K-strategists easily can be planted as green biomass taken from another site, rare R-strategists often must be reproduced in cultures before they can be planted on-site. In Sweden, several charophyte species are extremely rare and fail to (re)establish, though apparently suitable habitats are available. Limited dispersal and/or lack of diaspore reservoirs are probable explanations. Transplantations are planned to secure the occurrences of these species in the country. This contribution reviews the knowledge on life forms, dispersal, establishment, and transplantations of submerged macrophytes with focus on charophytes and gives recommendations for the Swedish project. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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26 pages, 8437 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Wetland Restoration with Hydrophytes: A Review

by Maria A. Rodrigo

Plants 2021, 10(6), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10061035 - 21 May 2021

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 9298

Abstract

Restoration cases with hydrophytes (those which develop all their vital functions inside the water or very close to the water surface, e.g., flowering) are less abundant compared to those using emergent plants. Here, I synthesize the latest knowledge in wetland restoration based on revegetation with hydrophytes and stress common challenges and potential solutions. The review mainly focusses on natural wetlands but also includes information about naturalized constructed wetlands, which nowadays are being used not only to improve water quality but also to increase biodiversity. Available publications, peer-reviewed and any public domain, from the last 20 years, were reviewed. Several countries developed pilot case-studies and field-scale projects with more or less success, the large-scale ones being less frequent. Using floating species is less generalized than submerged species. Sediment transfer is more adequate for temporary wetlands. Hydrophyte revegetation as a restoration tool could be improved by selecting suitable wetlands, increasing focus on species biology and ecology, choosing the suitable propagation and revegetation techniques (seeding, planting). The clear negative factors which prevent the revegetation success (herbivory, microalgae, filamentous green algae, water and sediment composition) have to be considered. Policy-making and wetland restoration practices must more effectively integrate the information already known, particularly under future climatic scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management)

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