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The Structuring Role of Submerged Macrophytes in Lakes pp 133–148Cite as

Role of Submerged Macrophytes for the Microbial Community and Dynamics of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Aquatic Ecosystems

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

Abstract

Examination of the multifaced functions of submerged macrophytes in shallow lakes has once again placed emphasis on the habitat characteristics of the vegetation for fish and motile invertebrate communities. The habitat support functions of the macrophytic community are critical to these animals for refuge and related cryptic behavioral functions. We argue here, however, that much more fundamental structuring of microbial metabolism and biogeochemical cycling of the ecosystem result from the development of submerged macrophytic communities. These metabolic functions not only control biogeochemical cycling within these lake ecosystems but are essential to the success of diverse integrated higher trophic levels.

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Authors
  1. Robert G. Wetzel
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  2. Morten Søndergaard
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Editors and Affiliations

  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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Wetzel, R.G., Søndergaard, M. (1998). Role of Submerged Macrophytes for the Microbial Community and Dynamics of Dissolved Organic Carbon in Aquatic Ecosystems. 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_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-0695-8_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

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