Biology of macrophytes with potential for proliferation

Abstract

Management of water-bodies affected by prolific growths of plants pose several problems related to the assessment of the intensity of these phenomena which should be considered on both spatial and temporal scales. An inventory of the most relevant plants, called risk species, has been produced, after an examination of invading growths recorded on the French hydrographic system. These plants are belonging to different macrophyte groups such as macro-algae, native hydrophyte phanerogams as Ranunculus sp., Potamogeton sp., Myriophyllum sp., Ceratophyllum sp., Lemna sp., and introduced phanerogams such as Elodea sp., Lagarosiphon sp., Ludwigia sp., Myriophyllum aquaticum. Some helophyte plants have also been considered. Their biological strategies determine their proliferation potential by developing high growth and substantial propagation abilities, through special morphological and physiological features, and means of vegetative reproduction. A best knowledge of their competitive strategies, of often perturbed environmental conditions, and of factors which can favour this capacity, allow to bring practical data as a support of any choice to control these plants and to manage concerned aquatic environments.