Submersed Macrophyte Distribution and Function in the Tidal Freshwater Hudson River

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511550539.019

17 - Submersed Macrophyte Distribution and Function in the Tidal Freshwater Hudson River

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 January 2010

Stuart Findlay ,

Cathleen Wigand and

W. Charles Nieder

Edited by

Jeffrey S. Levinton and

John R. Waldman

Show author details

Stuart Findlay: Affiliation:
Institute of Ecosystem Studies
Cathleen Wigand: Affiliation:
United States Environmental Protection Agency
W. Charles Nieder: Affiliation:
Hudson River NERR/New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Jeffrey S. Levinton: Affiliation:
State University of New York, Stony Brook

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Summary

abstract In the tidal freshwater Hudson River submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) occupies on average 6 percent of the river area with much greater coverage in the mid-Hudson (Kingston – Hudson) and much lower areal coverage south of Hyde Park. The native water celery (Vallisneria americana) is by far the predominant species in terms of areal coverage but the invasive water chestnut (Trapa natans) attains a higher standing stock on a smaller area. Vallisneria is light-limited in all but the shallowest depths and produces sufficient oxygen to maintain super-saturated conditions in some plant beds for a large proportion of summertime daylight hours. SAV supports abundant and diverse invertebrate and fish faunas with distinct differences between Vallisneria and Trapa. Turbidity in Vallisneria is frequently greater than in the main channel in contrast to the baffling and enhanced sediment deposition generally expected in plant beds. Overall, SAV plays several important and unique roles in shaping the habitats and ecosystem functioning of the Hudson River.

Introduction

Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) plays a critical role in many aquatic systems, contributing to primary productivity, nutrient cycling and sediment dynamics, as well as providing important habitat for fishes and invertebrates (Rozas and Odum, 1987; Heck et al., 1995). Aquatic macrophyte communities are some of the most productive natural ecosystems and have been found to support numerous and diverse wildlife populations (Dennison et al., 1993; Kemp, Boynton, and Twilley, 1984).

Type: Chapter
Information: The Hudson River Estuary , pp. 230 - 241

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511550539.019 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2006

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