Aquatic plant

Nymphaea alba

Nelumbo nucifera LOTUS bud

World aquaculture production of food fish and aquatic plants, 1990-2016

Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater). They are also known as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that grows in or near water and is either emergent, submergent, or floating. In lacustrine and riverine ecosystems, they play a significant role in the ecology of the water body, providing habitat and food for fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as contributing to the oxygenation and filtration of the water.

Types of Aquatic Plants

Aquatic plants can be classified into several types based on their growth form and habitat:

• Emergent Plants: These are rooted in the bottom but emerge above the surface of the water. Examples include cattails, bulrushes, and water lilies.
• Submerged Plants: These grow entirely beneath the surface, except for flowering parts in some species. Examples include eelgrass and Canadian pondweed.
• Floating Plants: These can be free-floating with their roots not attached to the bottom (e.g., duckweed, water hyacinth) or have roots that hang in the water from floating leaves (e.g., lotus).

Ecological and Economic Importance

Aquatic plants are crucial for maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. They provide oxygen through photosynthesis, improve water quality by filtering pollutants, stabilize sediments, and offer food and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. Economically, they are important in the aquaculture industry, both as food for fish and as a means of water purification. However, some aquatic plants, like the invasive water hyacinth, can become nuisances, blocking waterways and affecting water flow and use.

Challenges in Management

The management of aquatic plants involves a delicate balance. On one hand, efforts are made to conserve beneficial plants that contribute to biodiversity and water quality. On the other hand, control measures are necessary for invasive species that threaten waterways and native ecosystems. Methods of management include mechanical removal, chemical treatment, and biological control through the introduction of natural predators.

Conservation

Conservation of aquatic plants involves protecting their natural habitats and managing the introduction of non-native species. Efforts are also made to restore areas where aquatic plants have been lost due to human activity, such as the drainage of wetlands or pollution.