River Connectivity Affects Submerged and Floating Aquatic Vegetation in Floodplain Wetlands

• DOI: 10.1007/s13157-013-0471-4
• Publication Date: 2013-08-15T14:49:18Z
• Authors: Rebecca C. Rooney; Chris Carli; Suzanne E. Bayley
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; Ecology; Environmental Science(all); Environmental Chemistry; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; 6. Clean water

The submerged and floating plant communities in floodplain wetlands of the Upper Columbia River have never been described. To explore mechanisms behind influence annual flood pulse on vegetation, we investigated how species group into response guilds whose distributions vary along a connectivity gradient between 44 river, influences water sediment, to what degree effect vegetation is mediated by its effects these environmental variables. We characterised assemblages with cluster indicator analysis, as well non-metric scaling ordination tested structural equation model, which defined relationship assemblage composition, sediment quality, river. found four assemblages, each associated different conditions, positioned at differing degrees connectivity. model provided good fit data. conclude that highly connected direct flooding supersedes quality structuring assemblages. Yet where less intense, variables resume their role.