MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT OF AQUATIC MACROPHYTES

Abstract

Aquatic macrophytes are macroscopic plants with active photosynthetic parts that remain totally or partially submerged in fresh or salty water for several months per year. They can also occur floating freely on water surface. Their main biological traits are: tendency to accumulate biomass, acceleration of nutrient cycling, marked influence on water chemistry, act as substrate to other algae, support detritus and herbivorous food chains. They are also important structural components participants of metabolism in South American aquatic ecosystems, where they growing continuous throughout the year, as thermal and light conditions are favorable. However, their growth is potentially harmful in water reservoirs of diverse utility, such as energy generation and water supply. Therefore, aquatic macrophytes are important in structuring and setting the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems, and studies of their communities are therefore important and ought to consider both theoretical and practical approaches (monitoring and management). The present paper focused on aquatic macrophyte management, regarding methods to control their growth, ways of disposing of plants, uses to removed biomass, and how to use controlled growth of aquatic macrophytes in water reservoirs, especially of public use.