Abstract
In slow-moving and static eutrophic waters, submerged macrophytes growing in dense stands produce a highly structured environment, with reduced internal water flow. An afternoon lull in the net photosynthesis of such stands has been reported from a number of previous studies. This has been attributed to increased photorespiration caused by an accumulation of photosynthetically-derived, dissolved oxygen in the surrounding water. Results here demonstrate that even in a water quite rich in dissolved inorganic carbon (2.5 mmol l−1), limitations on the supply of inorganic carbon will normally be more important in curtailing photosynthesis, with photorespiration playing only a minor role.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bowes, G. & M. A. Salvucci, 1989. Plasticity in the photosynthetic carbon metabolism of submersed aquatic macrophytes. Aquat. Bot. 34: 233–266.
Brown, J. M. A., F. I. Dromgoole, M. W. Towsey & J. Browse, 1974. Photosynthesis and respiration in aquatic macrophytes. In R. L. Bieleski, A. R. Ferguson & M. M. Cresswell (eds), Mechanisms of Regulation of Plant Growth. The Royal Society of N.Z., Wellington, N.Z.: 243–249.
Buscemi, P. A., 1958. Littoral oxygen depletion produced by a cover of Elodea canadensis. Oikos 9: 239–245.
Caffrey, J. M., 1993. Aquatic plant management in relation to Irish recreational fisheries development. J. Aquat. Plant Mgmt 31: 162–168.
Dale, H. M. & T J. Gillespie, 1978. Diurnal temperature gradients in shallow water produced by populations of artificial aquatic macrophytes. Can. J. Bot. 56: 1099–1106.
Dorgelo, J. & M. Heykoop, 1985. Avoidance of macrophytes by Daphnia longispina. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 3366–3372.
Frodge, J. D., G. L. Thomas & G. B. Pauley, 1990. Effects of canopy formation by floating and submergent aquatic macrophytes on the water quality of two Pacific Northwest lakes. Aquat. Bot. 38: 231–248.
Goulder, R., 1969. Day-time variations in the rates of production by two natural communities of submerged freshwater macrophytes. J. Ecol. 58: 521–528.
Hasler, A. D. & E. Jones, 1949. Demonstration of the antagonistic action of large aquatic plants on algae and rotifers. Ecology 30: 359–364.
Hough, R. A., 1974. Photosynthesis and productivity in submersed aquatic vascular plants. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19: 9912–9927.
Jones, J. I., J. W. Eaton & K. Hardwick, 1993. Physiological plasticity in Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St. John. J. Aquat. Plant Mgmt 31: 88–94.
Losee, R. F. & R. G. Wetzel, 1993. Littoral flow rates within and around submersed macrophye communities. Freshwat. Biol. 29: 7–17.
Mackereth, F. J. H., J. Heron & J. F. Talling, 1978. Water analysis: some revised methods for limnologists. F.B.A., Scientific Publication No. 36, Ambleside, 120 pp.
Madsen, T. V. & S. C. Maberley, 1991. Diumal variation in light and carbon limitation of photosynthesis by two species submerged freshwater macrophyte with a differential ability to use bicarbonate. Freshwat. Biol. 26: 175–187.
O'Niel-Morin, J. O. & K. D. Kimbal, 1983. Relationship of macrophyte-mediated changes in the water column to periphyton composition and abundance. Freshwat. Biol. 13: 403–414.
Pokorny, J., J. Kvet, J. P. Ondok, Z. Toul & I. Ostry, 1984. Production-ecological analysis of a plant community dominated by Elodea canadensis Michx. Aquat. Bot. 19: 263–292.
Schiemer, F. & M. Prosser, 1976. Distribution and biomass of submerged macrophytes in Neusiedlersee. Aquat. Bot. 2: 289–307.
Serafy, J. E. & R. M. Harrel, 1993. Behavioural response of fishes to increasing pH and dissolved oxygen: field and laboratory observations. Freshwat. Biol. 30: 53–61.
Stumm, W. & J. J. Morgan, 1980. Aquatic chemistry an introduction emphasising chemical equilibria in natural waters. J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 780 pp.
Timms, R. M. & B. Moss, 1984. Prevention of growth of potentially dense phytoplankton populations by zooplankton grazing, in the presence of zooplanktivorous fish in a shallow wetland ecosystem. Limnol. Oceanogr. 29: 472–486.
Unni, K. S., 1972. An ecological study of the macrophyte vegetation of Doodhardari Lake, Raipur, M.P. — chemical factors. Hydrobiologia 40: 25–36.
Van, T. K., W. T. Hailer & G. Bowes, 1976. Comparison of the photosynthetic characteristics of three submersed aquatic plants. Plant Physiol. 58: 761–768.
Van Der Bijl, L., K. Sand-Jensen & A. L. Hjermind, 1989. Photosynthesis and canopy structure of a submerged plant, Potamogeton pectinatus in a lowland stream. J. Ecol. 77: 947–962.
Venugopal, M. N. & I. J. Winfield, 1993. The distribution of juvenile fishes in a hypereutrophic pond: can macrophytes potentially offer a refuge for zooplankton? J. Freshwat. Ecol. 8: 389–396.
Westlake, D. F., 1964. Light extinction, standing crop and photosynthesis within weedbeds. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 15: 415–425.
Wychera, U., R. Zoufal, P. Christof-Dirry & G. A. Janauer, 1993. Structure and environmental factors in macrophyte stands. J. Aquat. Plant Mgmt 31: 118–122.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jones, J.I., Hardwick, K. & Eaton, J.W. Diurnal carbon restrictions on the photosynthesis of dense stands of Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) St. John. Hydrobiologia 340, 11–16 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00012727
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00012727