Aquatic vascular macrophytes of Australias riverine systems
Book Chapter ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
[Extract] Aquatic plants are an integral component of Australian streams and rivers. Macrophytes pro-vide habitat, spawning sites and refuges to many native aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate species, including many species of conservation significance (Kemp 1984 ; Humphries 1995 ; Armstrong and Booth 2005). Their contribution to aquatic food webs through direct herbivory or as detritus is generally thought to be relatively minor (Bunn et al. 1997 ; Douglas et al. 2005), although this is subject to some debate (Watson and Barmuta 2011). However, the complex epiphytic assemblages of invertebrates, bacteria, protozoans, microalgae and fungi found on macrophyte surfaces are an important food source for a wide variety of aquatic organisms (Biggs and Close 1989). Aquatic macrophytes shape their physical and chemical environment through interactions with the water column and its suspended materials, as well as by affecting their substrates (Madsen et al. 2001). Human uses of rivers are influenced significantly by the presence of macrophytes. Indigenous Australians use macrophytes as food and material for making mats, baskets, fishing nets and string (Mitchell 1986 ; Jackson et al. 2012). Macrophytes are exploited by the aquarium and nursery industries. However, excessive macrophyte growth can impede downstream delivery of water for human users, clog water intake pipes and increase flood risks by reducing channel volume.
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Vegetation of Australian Riverine Landscapes: biology, ecology and management
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978-0-643-09631-8
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15
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CSIRO Publishing
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Publisher Location
Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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