Consequences of flow turbulence : Biomass partitioning and Plastic responses in morphology

Abstract

Water movement has a major influence on plant growth in aquatic ecosystems. Although the plants growing in shallow lakes and wetlands are not experiencing mean flow, they also experience water movement as flow turbulence. The objective of the current study was to observe the variations of morphology and biomass partitioning in Egeria densa and Chara fibrosa when exposed to three different turbulence levels. Chara fibrosa has been observed to have shorter internodal lengths, less number of internodes when exposed to increased turbulence, while reducing the lateral branching. Egeria densa has been observed to reduce biomass gain and lateral branching while increasing the shoot:root ratio. Morphological variations of C. fibrosa and E. densa are more or less similar while their responses to flow turbulence directed towards their survival in respective condition.