Abstract:
Even though the interaction between water movements and aquatic plant is crucial for the aquatic eco system management, the importance of water turbulence in this regard is not well documented. To add
to our knowledge on the interaction between aquatic plant communities and water turbulence, this study
examined turbulence, plant, sediment and water quality at the reed community (Phragmites australis) in
the Lake Shinji, Japan. Observations were conducted along transects perpendicular to the shoreline. For
each transect, reed communities were observed at land ward side, centre, water ward and the outside
of the reed community. An elevated level of turbulence was observed outside compared to inside reed
community, where the magnitude of turbulence decreased with distance into the community interior. A
significant positive correlation was observed for turbulence and surface-dissolved oxygen where the latter
was negatively correlated to reed density. Sediment composition was affected by water turbulence where
the content of coarse particles positively correlated to turbulence. Accumulation of organic matter in an oxic sediments together with fine particles was observed under low turbulence. Our findings can offer
insight into understanding the interactions between turbulence and aquatic plant communities
