Submerged macrophyte communities and the controlling factors in large, shallow Lake Taihu (China): Sediment distribution and water depth

Lake Taihu, the third largest lake in China, is subjected to severe eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms as a result of development and urbanization. In order to restore the degraded lake ecosystem, it is important to identify which environmental factors control the submerged macrophytes which declined during eutrophication. To characterize community structure of submerged macrophytes and to assess the plant-environmental relationships in Lake Taihu, a monthly investigation was conducted from May to October in 2010. A total of six species were recorded, dominated by Potamogeton malaianus and Vallisneria natans. Multivariate analysis showed that water depth, depth of soft sediments and nutrient variables (orthophosphate of water, organic matter of sediment, total nitrogen and total phosphorus of sediment) were the major factors determining growth and community composition of submerged macrophytes in the lake. A strong predictive association of soft-sediment depth and plant biomass indicated preference of submerged macrophytes for firm bottoms along the eastern shore and approximately 0.2 m could be regarded as an optimum depth for the growth of plants. The biomass of plants responded proportionately to water depth, and approximately 1.8 m could be regarded as the optimum depth for the growth of submerged macrophyte in Lake Taihu. Our results indicated that improvement of habitat and the selection of appropriate submerged macrophytes species are very important for ecological restoration in large eutrophic lakes. This study could provide useful information for managers and policy makers to evaluate and modify restoration practices in large, shallow lakes.