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Some effects of siltation upon aquatic macrophyte vegetation in rivers

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Summary

Despite the high silt loads of its rivers through the recently accelerated erosion of soils in South Africa, there appears to have been no intensive and direct work upon the effects of this siltation upon the aquatic macrophyte vegetation. Available data indicate a general decline in the aquatic vegetation as a result of the changed aquatic environments. The need for research on the aquatic and fringing vegetation is emphasized, and the need for conservation of the fringing vegetation along natural drainage lines.

Zusammenfassung

Trotz den großen Schlammengen der Südafrikanischen Flüsse durch die neulich beschleunigte Bodenerosion scheint es keine intensive und unmittelbare Arbeit über die Wirkung dieser Verschlammung auf die macrophytische Wasservegetation zu geben. Vorhandene Angaben zeigen einen allgemeinen Verfall der Wasserpflanzen infolge der veränderten Wasserumgebung. Der Bedarf an Nachforschung über in und neben Wasser stehende Vegetation und ihre Bewahrung natürlichen Entwässerungslinien entlang wird betont.

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Edwards, D. Some effects of siltation upon aquatic macrophyte vegetation in rivers. Hydrobiologia 34, 29–38 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00040321

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