Zonation of macrophytes based on bathymetry analysis at Chenderoh Reservoir, Perak, Malaysia

• Main Authors: Ismail, Siti Norasikin, Mansor, Asyraf, Subehi, Luki, Ridwansyah, Iwan, Mansor, Mashhor
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic plants; Dams; Echo sounding; Hydroelectric dams; Hydrology; Littoral environments; Reservoir sedimentation; Reservoirs; Sampling; Spatial distribution; Water depth; Water level fluctuations
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0125208

Chenderoh Reservoir is a hydroelectric dam commissioned in 1930. Changes at the margin and littoral zone of the reservoir due to shoreline sedimentation and the growth of macrophytes have not been studied well. Therefore, a study on the spatial distribution of macrophytes at Chenderoh Reservoir was carried out to determine the diversity and distribution of macrophyte species based on reservoir morphometry. Field samplings were conducted at 18 sampling points covering the embayments and main river channel using echo sounding, line transect and quadrat methods. The results showed that the macrophyte species were distributed according to the slope of the reservoir. Thirty-four macrophyte species from four different types, emergent, floating-leaved, submerged and free-floating, were recorded. The morphometric characteristic, particularly water depth, resulted in the zoning of macrophytes according to their types, determined by the availability of light and hydrological attributes. This study indicated that the macrophytes distribution at all sampling points in Chenderoh Reservoir was determined by morphometric characteristics influenced by seasonality and water level fluctuations of the dam operation. Hence, the bathymetric study is important to identify reservoirs morphometry and helps in mapping the vegetation for better management by the authority.