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SUBMERSED MACROPHYTE DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION IN THE TIDAL FRESHWATER HUDSON RIVER
Citation:
FINDLAY, S., C. WIGAND, AND W. NIEDER. SUBMERSED MACROPHYTE DISTRIBUTION AND FUNCTION IN THE TIDAL FRESHWATER HUDSON RIVER. Chapter 17, Jeffrey S. Levinton, John R. Waldman (ed.), The Hudson River Estuary. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, , 230-241, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
To determine the role SAV plays in shaping the habitats and ecosystem functioning of the Hudson River
Description:
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 term of areal coverage but the invasive waterchestnut (Trapa natans) attains higher standing stock on a smaller area. Vallesneria is light-limited in all but the shallowest depths and produces sufficient oxygen to maintain supersaturated conditions in some plant beds for a larger proportion of summertime daylight hours. SAV supports abundant and diverse invertebrate and fish faunas with distinct differences between Vallisneria and Trapa. Turbitiy in Vallisneria is frequently greater that in the main channel in contrast to the baffleing and enhanced sedimrnt 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.