Roles of submersed plants

Submersed plants are large plants that grow primarily below the water's surface. Eelgrass, hydrilla (an invasive plant), and coontail are examples of submersed plants. Some of these plants are rooted to the waterbody's sediments, like eelgrass and hydrilla; while some, like coontail, are not.

The Role of Submersed Aquatic Plants in Waterbodies
The importance of having submersed vegetation and the amount of submersed vegetation necessary to achieve specific management goals are both subjects of ongoing research and debate at the present time. In general, submersed aquatic plants perform several functions in waterbodies. Some of them are described below.

Provides habitat for fish. Many aquatic scientists consider this its most important role.
Provides food and habitat for wildlife populations (fish, waterfowl, invertebrates).
Affects nutrient cycles and other chemical cycles in complex ways.
Can increase water clarity.
Stabilizes shorelines and sediments.
Can increase or decrease dissolved oxygen concentrations, depending on its abundance, the availability of light, and time of day.
Contributes to the filling-in of waterbodies by depositing decayed material that accumulates on the bottom.

In Florida
Submersed plants occur in virtually all Florida waterbodies. In an individual waterbody, the availability of light, water clarity, water depth, and sediment stability affect where submersed plants will grow.

Professional management of aquatic plants in Florida is extensive, because native and non-native submersed plants can reach nuisance levels. An abundance of submersed aquatic plants can adversely affect recreational boating, swimming, fishing, and fish populations as well as flood control.

See also:
Native plants, submersed
Aquatic macrophytes
Submersed plant biomass

The information on this page was derived in part from the following publication of
Florida Lakewatch of the University of Florida Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.
This booklet may be downloaded in its entirety as a PDF file by clicking here.
Scroll down till you see the Circular 101 icon.

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A collaboration of the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, University of Florida, and the Invasive Plant Management Section of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

This page is maintained by Alison Moss.