Effect of removal of free-floating macrophytes on zooplankton habitat in shallow wetland

Published source details Choi J., Jeong K., La G. & Joo G. (2014) Effect of removal of free-floating macrophytes on zooplankton habitat in shallow wetland. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, 414, 11.
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Summary

Action: Physically remove problematic plants

A replicated, controlled study in 2011–2012 in a wetland in South Korea (Choi et al. 2014) reported that clearing some or all floating macrophytes increased the abundance of submerged macrophytes and phytoplankton. Results summarized for this study are not based on assessments of statistical significance. In summer and autumn, cleared plots consistently contained more submerged macrophyte biomass than uncleared plots (18 of 18 comparisons; cleared: 23–62; uncleared: 13–28 g/m²). The same was true for phytoplankton biomass (20 of 21 comparisons; cleared: 13–28; uncleared: 5–12 µS chl a/L). In the spring, as that year’s floating plant cover was developing, there were no clear (or far smaller) differences between cleared and uncleared plots. This was true for both submerged macrophyte biomass (cleared: 16–38; uncleared: 17–32 g/m²) and phytoplankton biomass (cleared: 5–14; uncleared: 5–14 µS chl a/L). Methods: The study ran from May to November 2011 and 2012. It used nine 1-m² plots in a 0.8–1.4-m-deep floodplain wetland. Each plot was fenced with 1-cm² mesh, extending above and below the water level. Floating macrophytes were removed from six plots every two weeks: 100% clearance (three plots) or 50% clearance (three plots). Floating plants were not removed from the final three plots (up to 100% cover during the summer). Vegetation was surveyed every two weeks. Submerged macrophytes were sampled using a 20 x 20 cm core, included roots, and were dried before weighing.