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Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition)
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Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 14552

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Angelo Troia

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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, Università Degli Studi di Palermo, 90123 Palermo, Italy
Interests: aquatic plants; charophytes; wetlands; Mediterranean islands; conservation biology; taxonomy; Isoetes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The importance of freshwater and different inland aquatic ecosystems is becoming increasingly clear, and species living in these habitats are often threatened by human impact. Indeed, we sometimes witness the destruction of important wetlands or aquatic biotopes before we are able to appreciate their flora.

In addition, aquatic flora is often poorly known, probably because most “classic” botanists often stop at the edge of the land/water border.

The aim of this Special Issue is to invite people studying the aquatic plants (and charophytes) of inland waters to contribute to building a better knowledge base of these ecosystems, with basic research (involving taxonomy or ecology) or applied research (involving the management of aquatic plants, or their use in assessing the quality of water or the quality of the environment), with a special focus on floating and submersed macrophytes (i.e., hydrophytes). Invasive alien aquatic species, of course, are also a possible subject.

Dr. Angelo Troia
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Plants is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  •  macrophytes
  •  hydrophytes
  •  charophytes
  •  wetlands
  •  aquatic habitats
  •  aquatic plants
  •  biogeography
  •  plant conservation
  •  plant ecology
  •  plant dispersal
  •  plant distribution

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2126 KiB  
Article
Stable Carbon and Nitrogen Isotope Signatures in Three Pondweed Species—A Case Study of Rivers and Lakes in Northern Poland
by Zofia Wrosz, Krzysztof Banaś, Marek Merdalski and Eugeniusz Pronin
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2261; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152261 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 182
Abstract
Aquatic plants, as sedentary lifestyle organisms that accumulate chemical substances from their surroundings, can serve as valuable indicators of long-term anthropogenic pressure. In Poland, water monitoring is limited both spatially and temporally, which hampers a comprehensive assessment of water quality. Since the implementation [...] Read more.
Aquatic plants, as sedentary lifestyle organisms that accumulate chemical substances from their surroundings, can serve as valuable indicators of long-term anthropogenic pressure. In Poland, water monitoring is limited both spatially and temporally, which hampers a comprehensive assessment of water quality. Since the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), biotic elements, including macrophytes, have played an increasingly important role in water monitoring. Moreover, running waters, due to their dynamic nature, are susceptible to episodic pollution inputs that may be difficult to detect during isolated, point-in-time sampling campaigns. The analysis of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope signatures in macrophytes enables the identification of elemental sources, including potential pollutants. Research conducted between 2008 and 2011 encompassed 38 sites along 15 rivers and 108 sites across 21 lakes in northern Poland. This study focused on the isotope signatures of three pondweed species: Stuckenia pectinata, Potamogeton perfoliatus, and Potamogeton crispus. The results revealed statistically significant differences in the δ13C and δ15N values of plant organic matter between river and lake environments. Higher δ15N values were observed in rivers, whereas higher δ13C values were recorded in lakes. Spearman correlation analysis showed a negative relationship between δ13C and δ15N, as well as correlations between δ15N and the concentrations of Ca2+ and HCO3−. A positive correlation was also found between δ13C and dissolved oxygen levels. These findings confirm the utility of δ13C and, in particular, δ15N as indicators of anthropogenic eutrophication, including potentially domestic sewage input and its impact on aquatic ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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29 pages, 13997 KiB  
Article
The Charophytes (Characeae, Charophyceae) of the Caucasus
by Roman E. Romanov, Liubov V. Zhakova, Andrey N. Efremov, Galina Yu. Konechnaya, Olga N. Boldina, Dmitry F. Afanasyev, Tatiana V. Akatova and Denis G. Melnikov
Plants 2025, 14(12), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14121788 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 800
Abstract
This first inventory of the charophytes of the Caucasus region was compiled based on records from published references, online sources, a review of herbarium collections, and our own field collections. The documented Caucasian charophyte flora includes 27 species from six genera: 18 Chara [...] Read more.
This first inventory of the charophytes of the Caucasus region was compiled based on records from published references, online sources, a review of herbarium collections, and our own field collections. The documented Caucasian charophyte flora includes 27 species from six genera: 18 Chara species, 6 Nitella, 2 Tolypella, and 1 species each of Lamprothamnium, Nitellopsis, and Sphaerochara. Chara uzbekistanica, C. virgata, and C. contraria var. hispidula are newly recorded for the Caucasus. The high species richness of the genus Chara, the much less diverse genus Nitella, and a few species of Tolypella and Sphaerochara in the Caucasian charophyte flora are typical traits of Palearctic charophyte floras. In total, there are 10 species recorded in Armenia, 16 in Azerbaijan, 18 in Georgia, and 16 in the mountainous region of the North Caucasian Federal District of Russia. Most of the species have wide distributions; none are endemic to the Caucasus. One of the most commonly recorded species in the region, C. gymnophylla, is a usual feature of the Mediterranean and West Asia. The Caucasian charophyte flora can be described as unsurprising from a large-scale perspective, considering its species distribution ranges. However, the association of species makes the region specific at the scale of West Asia when comparing it to its large neighboring areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 923 KiB  
Article
Communities of Primary Producers in the Series of Reservoirs on the Sava River (Slovenia)
by Igor Zelnik, Larisa Vodopivec and Mateja Germ
Plants 2025, 14(11), 1665; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14111665 - 30 May 2025
Viewed by 403
Abstract
Different communities of primary producers were surveyed in a series of five river reservoirs on the Sava River in southeast Slovenia. Seasonal differences of phytoplanktonic and phytobenthic communities were studied in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants. Macrophytes were surveyed in the summer, [...] Read more.
Different communities of primary producers were surveyed in a series of five river reservoirs on the Sava River in southeast Slovenia. Seasonal differences of phytoplanktonic and phytobenthic communities were studied in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants. Macrophytes were surveyed in the summer, while phytoplankton and periphyton were sampled in the winter and summer of 2021. The taxonomic composition of diatoms was studied in greater detail and additionally analysed. The results showed that the species composition of phytoplankton and phytobenthos differed between seasons. The communities were also more similar between the seasons at the same sampling site than between the sampling sites. Temperature was the parameter that had the greatest impact on the taxonomic composition of phytoplanktonic and phytobenthic communities. In total, 51 algal taxa and 81 species of diatoms were recorded, respectively. Furthermore, 15 species of aquatic macrophytes were found. The abundance of phytoplankton was the highest in the lowest reservoir in the series, in Brežice, where the temperature was also the highest. The number of macrophytes also increased downstream, but their abundances were low, mainly due to coarse substrate on the banks consisting of rocks and boulders. Constructing additional reservoirs on this section of the Sava River could increase the probability of the substantial growth of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria within it. On the other hand, providing patches of finer substrates (gravel, pebbles) would support the abundance of macrophyte species, which could control the concentrations of nutrients in the summer and prevent the blooms more efficiently. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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34 pages, 4457 KiB  
Article
Resource Characteristics of Common Reed (Phragmites australis) in the Syr Darya Delta, Kazakhstan, by Means of Remote Sensing and Random Forest
by Azim Baibagyssov, Anja Magiera, Niels Thevs and Rainer Waldhardt
Plants 2025, 14(6), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14060933 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1008
Abstract
Reed beds, often referred to as dense, nearly monotonous extensive stands of common reed (Phragmites australis), are the most productive vegetation form of inland waters in Central Asia and exhibit great potential for biomass production in such a dryland setting. With [...] Read more.
Reed beds, often referred to as dense, nearly monotonous extensive stands of common reed (Phragmites australis), are the most productive vegetation form of inland waters in Central Asia and exhibit great potential for biomass production in such a dryland setting. With its vast delta regions, Kazakhstan has the most extensive reed stands globally, providing a valuable case for studying the potential of reed beds for the bioeconomy. However, accurate and up-to-date figures on available reed biomass remain poorly documented due to data inadequacies in national statistics and challenges in measuring and monitoring it over large and remote areas. To address this gap in knowledge, in this study, the biomass resource characteristics of common reed were estimated for one of the significant reed bed areas of Kazakhstan, the Syr Darya Delta, using ground-truth field-sampled data as the dependent variable and high-resolution Sentinel-2 spectral bands and computed spectral indices as independent variables in multiple Random Forest (RF) regression models. An analysis of the spatially detailed yield map obtained for Phragmites australis-dominated wetlands revealed an area of 58,935 ha under dense non-submerged and submerged reed beds (with a standing biomass of >10.5 t ha−1) and an estimated 1,240,789 tons of reed biomass resources within the Syr Darya Delta wetlands. Our findings indicate that submerged dense reed exhibited the highest biomass at 28.21 t ha−1, followed by dense non-submerged reed at 15.24 t ha−1 and open reed at 4.36 t ha−1. The RF regression models demonstrated robust performance during both calibration and validation phases, as evaluated by statistical accuracy metrics using ten-fold cross-validation. Out of the 48 RF models developed, those utilizing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) as key predictors yielded the best standing reed biomass estimation results, achieving a predictive accuracy of R2 = 0.93, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 2.74 t ha−1 during the calibration, and R2 = 0.83, RMSE = 3.71 t ha−1 in the validation, respectively. This study highlights the considerable biomass potential of reed in the region’s wetlands and demonstrates the effectiveness of the RF regression modeling and high-resolution Sentinel-2 data for mapping and quantifying above-ground and above-water biomass of Phragmites australis-dominated wetlands over a large extent. The results provide critical insights for managing and conserving wetland ecosystems and facilitate the sustainable use of Phragmites australis resources in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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11 pages, 8191 KiB  
Communication
A Contribution to a Better Understanding of the Nitella axillaris Group (Charales, Charophyceae): A Taxonomic Re-Examination of the Nitella translucens Collected in the Province of Ferrara, Italy
by Nadia Abdelahad, Angelo Troia, Klaus van de Weyer, Mauro Iberite, Filippo Piccoli and Michelle T. Casanova
Plants 2024, 13(21), 3081; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213081 - 1 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1592
Abstract
The identification of a charophyte population found in a rice field in Ferrara, North Italy, collected in 1999 and initially identified as Nitella translucens, has been reevaluated. Detailed morphological observations here reported have suggested that the specimen displays characteristics more akin to [...] Read more.
The identification of a charophyte population found in a rice field in Ferrara, North Italy, collected in 1999 and initially identified as Nitella translucens, has been reevaluated. Detailed morphological observations here reported have suggested that the specimen displays characteristics more akin to Nitella axillaris, particularly in the structure of its bicellular dactyls and axillary heads. Additional examinations, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of oospores and analyses of herbarium specimens—encompassing original materials of N. axillaris, N. axillaris f. tenuoir, and N. translucens f. confervoides—support this reclassification. Notably, the Ferrara specimens exhibit reticulate oospores and specific morphological traits that align well with N. axillaris. However, a syntype of N. axillaris housed at the BM Herbarium presents an anomaly, as it features granulate rather than the expected reticulate oospores. This discrepancy indicates a need for further studies, given that the lectotype of N. axillaris lacks oospores altogether. For now, the charophyte population from Ferrara can be provisionally assigned to N. axillaris “sensu Auctores”. Additionally, it appears to be an alien species introduced into the rice fields of Northern Italy, highlighting the need for further investigation into its taxonomy and distribution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 2249 KiB  
Article
Ecology of Elodea canadensis Michx. and Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John—Insights from National Water Monitoring in Croatia
by Marija Bučar, Anja Rimac, Vedran Šegota, Nina Vuković and Antun Alegro
Plants 2024, 13(12), 1624; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13121624 - 12 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1774
Abstract
Elodea canadensis Michx. (common waterweed) and Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John (Nuttall’s waterweed), two invasive aquatic plants from North America, have coexisted in European water bodies since the early 20th century. New localities for both species in Croatia continued to be discovered [...] Read more.
Elodea canadensis Michx. (common waterweed) and Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John (Nuttall’s waterweed), two invasive aquatic plants from North America, have coexisted in European water bodies since the early 20th century. New localities for both species in Croatia continued to be discovered during a study that ran from 2016 to 2023 as a part of the annual implementation of Water Framework Directive monitoring that covered the entire territory of Croatia (786 sampling points in total). Based on these data, the distribution and ecology of both species were analysed. Elodea canadensis was found at 30 sampling points, mostly in rivers, and E. nuttallii at 15 sampling points, mostly in artificial canals. Nearly three-quarters (72.5%) of all elodea sampling points were in the Pannonian Ecoregion. Elodea canadensis was discovered for the first time in the Continental—Dinaric and Mediterranean—Dinaric Subecoregions. To study the ecology of the species, for each sampling point, vegetation relevés were performed and monthly measurements of physico-chemical parameters were collected. The most common accompanying species for both elodeas are presented, and the difference in species assemblages between the sites with E. canadensis and E. nuttallii was confirmed with the ANOSIM test. Furthermore, Indicator Species Analysis revealed eight species characteristic of E. canadensis sites and eleven species characteristic of E. nuttallii sites. Fitting multivariate models (CCA and NPMR) to species abundance revealed the ecological reaction of E. canadensis and E. nuttallii to environmental descriptors. The most strongly contributing environmental descriptors that influence the distribution of both Elodea species are biochemical oxygen demand, electrical conductivity and total phosphorus. In Croatia, the replacement of E. canadensis with E. nuttallii was observed in several water bodies with high nutrient loads. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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16 pages, 4352 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity, Ecology and Distribution of Mediterranean Charophytes in Southern Italy
by Alessandro Bellino and Daniela Baldantoni
Plants 2023, 12(19), 3434; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12193434 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1950
Abstract
Charophytes are amongst the most endangered primary producers in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. In spite of the extensive research on the group and its ecological and conservational relevance, scarce information is available on Mediterranean environments, especially rivers and small water reservoirs, where charophytes [...] Read more.
Charophytes are amongst the most endangered primary producers in freshwater and coastal ecosystems. In spite of the extensive research on the group and its ecological and conservational relevance, scarce information is available on Mediterranean environments, especially rivers and small water reservoirs, where charophytes face challenging summer droughts and changes in hydrological regimes, as well as pervasive anthropogenic pressures. This research aimed, through repeated field observations, detailed analyses of population traits, and extensive characterization of the colonized environments, to foster an understanding of the distribution, biodiversity, and ecology of charophytes in an area of exceptional environmental value and that is still uninvestigated in relation to its charophyte flora, the southern Campania region (Italy). Overall, 17 populations were discovered, belonging to 4 taxa of the Chara genus: C. globularis, C. gymnophylla, C. vulgaris, and C. vulgaris var. papillata, reduced to 12 populations and to the first 3 taxa by the end of the study. The species occupied different ecological niches and colonized environments such as rivers and small ponds, with environment-dependent morphotypes. The occurrence of few taxa with a wide distribution, often forming ephemeral populations, suggests ongoing constraints on charophyte biodiversity in the area, favoring opportunistic species that are able to benefit from temporary refugia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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Review

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26 pages, 1378 KiB  
Review
Morphophysiological Adaptations of Aquatic Macrophytes in Wetland-Based Sewage Treatment Systems: Strategies for Resilience and Efficiency under Environmental Stress
by Leila Teresinha Maranho and Marcelo Pedrosa Gomes
Plants 2024, 13(20), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13202870 - 14 Oct 2024
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3471
Abstract
There is a common misconception that aquatic macrophytes face significant challenges in wetland-based sewage treatment systems. This study aims to correct this perception by focusing on the crucial morphophysiological adaptations of aquatic macrophytes that enable them to thrive in wetland-based sewage treatment systems, [...] Read more.
There is a common misconception that aquatic macrophytes face significant challenges in wetland-based sewage treatment systems. This study aims to correct this perception by focusing on the crucial morphophysiological adaptations of aquatic macrophytes that enable them to thrive in wetland-based sewage treatment systems, particularly under environmental stress. These adaptations are vital for improving the efficiency and resilience of wastewater treatment processes, offering sustainable solutions in the face of variable environmental conditions and complex contaminant mixtures. The review emphasizes the role of macrophytes as natural engineers, capable of enhancing pollutant removal and system stability through their unique structural and functional traits. By understanding these adaptations, the review aims to guide the optimization of wetland design and management, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and effective wastewater treatment practices. The findings underscore the importance of species selection and the integration of nature-based solutions in environmental management, advocating for policies that support the use of macrophytes in modern wastewater management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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Other

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13 pages, 955 KiB  
Perspective
Introduction of Native Submerged Macrophytes to Restore Biodiversity in Streams
by Lucas Van der Cruysse, Andrée De Cock, Koen Lock, Pieter Boets and Peter L. M. Goethals
Plants 2024, 13(7), 1014; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13071014 - 2 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2194
Abstract
Streams are biodiversity hotspots that provide numerous ecosystem services. Safeguarding this biodiversity is crucial to uphold sustainable ecosystem functioning and to ensure the continuation of these ecosystem services in the future. However, in recent decades, streams have witnessed a disproportionate decline in biodiversity [...] Read more.
Streams are biodiversity hotspots that provide numerous ecosystem services. Safeguarding this biodiversity is crucial to uphold sustainable ecosystem functioning and to ensure the continuation of these ecosystem services in the future. However, in recent decades, streams have witnessed a disproportionate decline in biodiversity compared to other ecosystems, and are currently considered among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide. This is the result of the combined effect of a multitude of stressors. For freshwater systems in general, these have been classified into five main pressures: water pollution, overexploitation, habitat degradation and destruction, alien invasive species, and hydromorphological pressures. On top of these direct stressors, the effects of global processes like environmental and climate change must be considered. The intricate and interconnected nature of various stressors affecting streams has made it challenging to formulate effective policies and management strategies. As a result, restoration efforts have not always been successful in creating a large-scale shift towards a better ecological status. In order to achieve an improved status in these systems, situation-specific management strategies tailored to specific stressor combinations may be needed. In this paper, we examine the potential of introducing native submerged macrophyte species to advance the restoration of stream ecosystems. Through successful introductions, we anticipate positive ecological outcomes, including enhanced water quality and increased biodiversity. This research is significant, as the potential success in restoring stream biodiversity not only represents progress in ecological understanding but also offers valuable insights for future restoration and management strategies for these vital ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Macrophytes in Inland Waters: From Knowledge to Management (2nd Edition))
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