The seasonal biomass and productivity of the submerged macrophytes in a polluted Wisconsin stream

• Published in: Freshwater biology 1988-08, Vol.20 (1), p.41-50
• Main Authors: MADSEN, JOHN D., ADAMS, MICHAEL S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Fresh water environment; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
• ISSN: 0046-5070; 1365-2427
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2427.1988.tb01715.x

SUMMARY 1. We measured biomass and light/dark bottle productivity of macrophytes in a Wisconsin stream throughout one growing season. Except for a brief period in early spring when a Cladophora glomerata‐filamentous algal community was dominant, Potamogeton pectinatus was the dominant macrophyte species in Badfish Creek. 2. Maximum community biomass was 710 g DW m−2, with a maximum above ground biomass of 620 g DW m−2 and a maximum below ground biomass of 120 g DW m−2. Annual productivity was estimated at 1435 g DW m−2 year−1, with a calculated P/B of 2.01. 3. In situ net production averaged 2.83g C g AFDW−1 h−1 Net positive carbon gain by the P. pectinatus community occurred when water temperatures were above 15°C, and daylength at least 12h. This is correlated to the onset of tuber germination in spring, and the point of maximal biomass decline in autumn.