Resource managers need to be able to quickly and accurately map aquatic plants in freshwater lakes and ponds for regulatory purposes, to monitor the health of native species and to monitor the spread of invasive species. Site surveys and transects are expensive and time consuming, and low resolution imagery is not detailed enough to map multiple, small lakes spread out over large areas. This study evaluated methods for mapping aquatic plants using high resolution Quickbird satellite imagery obtained in 2007 and 2008. The study area included nine lakes in northern Indiana chosen because they are used for recreation, have residential development along their shorelines, support a diverse wildlife population, and are susceptible to invasive species. An unsupervised classification was used to develop two levels of classification. The Level I classification divided the vegetation into detailed classes of emergent and submerged vegetation based on plant structure. In the Level II classification, these classes were combined into more general categories. Overall accuracy of the Level I classification was 68% for the 2007 imagery and 58% for the 2008 imagery. The overall accuracy of the Level II classification was higher for both the 2007 and 2008 imagery at 75% and 74%, respectively. Classes containing bulrushes were the least accurately mapped in the Level I classification. In the Level II classification, the least accurately mapped class was submerged vegetation. Water and man-made surfaces were mapped with the highest degree of accuracy in both classification schemes. Overhanging trees and shore vegetation contributed to classification error. Overall, results of this research suggest that high resolution imagery provides useful information for natural resource managers. It is most applicable to mapping general aquatic vegetation categories, such as submerged and emergent vegetation, and providing general estimates of plant coverage in lakes. Better methods for mapping individual species, species assemblages, and submerged vegetation constitute areas for further research. / Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Addendum inserted. / Includes copies of author's previously published papers. / Bibliography: p. 390-414. / xvi, 420, [13] p. : ill., maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Aims to examine the effects of water regime on growth, vegetative recruitment, resource allocation and photosynthesis in selected perennial species, and the adaptations permitting them to tolerate sub-optimal regimes. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Depts. of Zoology and Botany, 1998?

CAPES; CNPq; Fundação Araucária / O conhecimento das alterações ecológicas em um reservatório é de grande relevância para estudos de impacto ambiental e de avaliação de qualidade da água, sobretudo, o conhecimento da estrutura da comunidade fitoplanctônica, que têm uma importância fundamental dentro dos ecossistemas aquáticos, pois respondem de forma rápida às mudanças físicas e químicas da água, e contribuem de forma acentuada para a produção de matéria orgânica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a composição e abundância da comunidade fitoplanctônica sob influência das variáveis abióticas dentro de um eixo longitudinal em quatro reservatórios em cascata destancando a importância das populações de cianobactérias. Localizados no estado do Paraná, os reservatórios das Hidreléticas do rio Iguaçu; Foz do Areia, Salto Segredo, Salto Santiago e Salto Caxias foram escolhidos como área de estudo porque recebem alta carga de nutrientes de origem antrópica, com elevadas concentrações de fósforo e nitrogênio, e como consequência, a formação de frequentes florações. Para realização do estudo foram coletadas amostras para análise das variáveis abióticas e bióticas em doze pontos no reservatório de Foz do Areia, e em nove pontos nos demais reservatórios (Segredo, Santiago e Caxias), distribuídos da seguinte forma: três na região fluvial, três na intermediária e três na região lacustre, nos meses de novembro de 2012, fevereiro de 2013 e outubro de 2013. As amostras qualitativas de fitoplâncton foram coletadas através de uma rede de plâncton, e as quantitativas foram coletadas diretamente do ambiente. Todas as amostras foram fixadas imediatamente. A identificação das espécies foi realizada com o auxílio de um microscópio comum, enquanto a contagem dos indivíduos foi realizada utilizando câmara de sedimentação tubular em microscópio invertido. Foram feitas análises dos parâmetros físicos e químicos da água. Durante o período estudado foram registrados 232 táxons no total que pertenceram a 10 classes. As cianobactérias foram dominantes nos quatro reservatórios estudados, sendo responsável pelas florações ocorridas, principalmente sob influência das densidades de Microcystis aeruginosa e Sphaerocavum brasiliense nos reservatórios de Foz do Areia e Salto Segredo, nos meses de novembro de 2012 e fevereiro de 2013. A dominância de cianobactérias associadas à elevada temperatura e concentração de nutrientes nos reservatórios, mostram que o rio Iguaçu está passando por um intenso processo de degradação ambiental, que pode ameçar a integridade das comunidades biológicas e causar sérios danos à saúde do ecossistema como um todo. / Knowledge of ecological changes in a reservoir is of great relevance to the study environmental impact and of the water quality, especially the knowledge of phytoplankton community estructure, that has a role importante in aquatic ecosystems, which respond quickly to physical and chemical changes of the water, and markedly contribute to the production of organic matter. The objective of this work was to analyze the composition and abundance of phytoplankton under the influence of abiotic variables along a longitudinal axis in four reservoirs in a cascade system, emphasizing the importance of cyanobacteria populations. Located in the state of Parana, the reservoirs of hydroeletric stations of the Iguaçu River, namely, Foz do Areia, Salto Segredo, Salto Caxias and Salto Santiago, were chosen as the study area because they receive high nutrient load of anthropogenic origin, which contributes to increased concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, and consequently the formation of frequent blooms. To conduct this study were collected samples for analysis of abiotic and biotic variables in twelve points in the reservoir of Foz do Areia and nine points in the other reservoirs (Segredo, Santiago e Caxias), distributed as follows: three in river region, three in the intermediate region and three in the lake region, in November 2012, February 2013 and October 2013. Qualitative samples of phytoplankton were collected through a plankton net, and quantitative were collected directly from the environment. All samples were fixed immediately. The identification of the species was made with the aid of an common microscope, while the phytoplankton counting was made tubular sedimentation chamber using an inverted microscope. Analysis of physical and chemical parameters of water were made. During the study period, a total of 232 taxa were recorded that belonged to 10 classes. The cyanobacteria were dominant in the four reservoirs studied, being responsible for blooms occurred mainly under the influence of Microcystis aeruginosa and Sphaerocavum brasiliense densities in the reservoirs in Foz do Areia and Salto Segredo in November 2012 and February 2013. The dominance of cyanobacteria associated with high temperature and nutrient concentration in the reservoirs, show that the Iguazu River is undergoing an intense process of environmental degradation, which can threaten the integrity of biological communities and cause serious damage to the health of the ecosystem as a whole.

CAPES; CNPq; Fundação Araucária / O conhecimento das alterações ecológicas em um reservatório é de grande relevância para estudos de impacto ambiental e de avaliação de qualidade da água, sobretudo, o conhecimento da estrutura da comunidade fitoplanctônica, que têm uma importância fundamental dentro dos ecossistemas aquáticos, pois respondem de forma rápida às mudanças físicas e químicas da água, e contribuem de forma acentuada para a produção de matéria orgânica. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a composição e abundância da comunidade fitoplanctônica sob influência das variáveis abióticas dentro de um eixo longitudinal em quatro reservatórios em cascata destancando a importância das populações de cianobactérias. Localizados no estado do Paraná, os reservatórios das Hidreléticas do rio Iguaçu; Foz do Areia, Salto Segredo, Salto Santiago e Salto Caxias foram escolhidos como área de estudo porque recebem alta carga de nutrientes de origem antrópica, com elevadas concentrações de fósforo e nitrogênio, e como consequência, a formação de frequentes florações. Para realização do estudo foram coletadas amostras para análise das variáveis abióticas e bióticas em doze pontos no reservatório de Foz do Areia, e em nove pontos nos demais reservatórios (Segredo, Santiago e Caxias), distribuídos da seguinte forma: três na região fluvial, três na intermediária e três na região lacustre, nos meses de novembro de 2012, fevereiro de 2013 e outubro de 2013. As amostras qualitativas de fitoplâncton foram coletadas através de uma rede de plâncton, e as quantitativas foram coletadas diretamente do ambiente. Todas as amostras foram fixadas imediatamente. A identificação das espécies foi realizada com o auxílio de um microscópio comum, enquanto a contagem dos indivíduos foi realizada utilizando câmara de sedimentação tubular em microscópio invertido. Foram feitas análises dos parâmetros físicos e químicos da água. Durante o período estudado foram registrados 232 táxons no total que pertenceram a 10 classes. As cianobactérias foram dominantes nos quatro reservatórios estudados, sendo responsável pelas florações ocorridas, principalmente sob influência das densidades de Microcystis aeruginosa e Sphaerocavum brasiliense nos reservatórios de Foz do Areia e Salto Segredo, nos meses de novembro de 2012 e fevereiro de 2013. A dominância de cianobactérias associadas à elevada temperatura e concentração de nutrientes nos reservatórios, mostram que o rio Iguaçu está passando por um intenso processo de degradação ambiental, que pode ameçar a integridade das comunidades biológicas e causar sérios danos à saúde do ecossistema como um todo. / Knowledge of ecological changes in a reservoir is of great relevance to the study environmental impact and of the water quality, especially the knowledge of phytoplankton community estructure, that has a role importante in aquatic ecosystems, which respond quickly to physical and chemical changes of the water, and markedly contribute to the production of organic matter. The objective of this work was to analyze the composition and abundance of phytoplankton under the influence of abiotic variables along a longitudinal axis in four reservoirs in a cascade system, emphasizing the importance of cyanobacteria populations. Located in the state of Parana, the reservoirs of hydroeletric stations of the Iguaçu River, namely, Foz do Areia, Salto Segredo, Salto Caxias and Salto Santiago, were chosen as the study area because they receive high nutrient load of anthropogenic origin, which contributes to increased concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, and consequently the formation of frequent blooms. To conduct this study were collected samples for analysis of abiotic and biotic variables in twelve points in the reservoir of Foz do Areia and nine points in the other reservoirs (Segredo, Santiago e Caxias), distributed as follows: three in river region, three in the intermediate region and three in the lake region, in November 2012, February 2013 and October 2013. Qualitative samples of phytoplankton were collected through a plankton net, and quantitative were collected directly from the environment. All samples were fixed immediately. The identification of the species was made with the aid of an common microscope, while the phytoplankton counting was made tubular sedimentation chamber using an inverted microscope. Analysis of physical and chemical parameters of water were made. During the study period, a total of 232 taxa were recorded that belonged to 10 classes. The cyanobacteria were dominant in the four reservoirs studied, being responsible for blooms occurred mainly under the influence of Microcystis aeruginosa and Sphaerocavum brasiliense densities in the reservoirs in Foz do Areia and Salto Segredo in November 2012 and February 2013. The dominance of cyanobacteria associated with high temperature and nutrient concentration in the reservoirs, show that the Iguazu River is undergoing an intense process of environmental degradation, which can threaten the integrity of biological communities and cause serious damage to the health of the ecosystem as a whole.

Potentially damaging submerged invasive freshwater macrophytes have been identified in South African freshwater systems, but have received less attention than their floating counterparts. To ascertain the changes and effects that these species may have on macrophyte ecology, an understanding of the drivers of macrophyte assemblages is essential. The aims of this thesis were to investigate select abiotic and biotic factors driving introduction, establishment and spread of submerged macrophytes in South Africa. Surveys on the status of submerged plant species in South Africa were conducted to find out the distribution and diversity of the species present, imported to, and traded in South Africa. Numerous submerged indigenous and invasive macrophyte locality records were collected during field surveys, of which many were first time records. Pet stores and aquarist trading activities were identified as potential vectors for the spread of submerged macrophytes through online surveys and personal interviews. These results highlighted the potential these species have for continuing to enter, and spread within South African water bodies. Maximum Entropy (MAXENT) is a general-purpose method used to predict or infer distributions from incomplete information, and was used here to predict areas suitable for the establishment of five of these invasive macrophytes. Many systems throughout South Africa, particularly those in the subtropical coastal regions, were found to be climatically suitable for the establishment of Elodea canadensis Michx., Egeria densa Planch., Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle (all Hydrocharitaceae), Myriophyllum spicatum L. (Haloragaceae), and Cabomba caroliniana Gray (Cabombaceae). Despite the high probability of invasion, facilitated by vectors and suitable climate, South Africa’s rich indigenous submerged aquatic flora may be preventing the establishment of these submerged invasive species. Studies on the competitive interactions between a common indigenous submerged macrophytes, Lagarosiphon major (Roxb.) (Hydrocharitaceae) and M.spicatum, an invasive native to Eurasia, were conducted to ascertain which conditions influence competitive superiority. High sediment nutrient conditions significantly increased the growth rate and competitive ability of both species, while clay sediments significantly increased the competitive ability of L. major over M. spicatum, but sandy sediments improved the competitive ability of M. spicatum. These results highlighted the dynamic changes in competition between submerged species driven by abiotic factors, but did not take into consideration the effect that herbivory, a biotic factor, could have on competition between the two species. The effect of herbivory by phytophagous insects of submerged plant species has been regarded as negligible. To find out what this effect is, multiple field surveys were undertaken throughout South Africa to find natural enemies of indigenous Lagarosiphon species with the aim of identifying such species, and quantifying their influence on plant growth dynamics. Several new phytophagous species were recorded for the first time. An ephydrid fly, Hydrellia lagarosiphon Deeming (Diptera: Ephydridae) was ascertained to be the most ubiquitous and abundant species associated with L. major in South Africa. The influence of herbivory by this fly on the competitive ability of L. major in the presence of M. spicatum was investigated using an inverse linear model, which showed that herbivory by H. lagarosiphon reduced the competitive ability of L. major by approximately five times in favour of M. spicatum. This study served to highlight the importance of herbivory as a driver of submerged aquatic plant dynamics. Current ecological theory emphasises the importance of investigating beyond plant-herbivore interactions, by including multitrophic interactions in community dynamics. Therefore, the potential of parasitism by a parasitoid wasp, Chaenusa luteostigma sp. n. Achterberg (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Alysiinae) on H. lagarosiphon to shift the competitive interactions between the two plant species was also examined. The addition of the parasitoid reduced the effect of herbivory by the fly on L. major by half, thereby shifting the competitive balance in favour of L. major over M. spicatum. This study provides valuable insight into a selection of drivers of submerged macrophyte assemblages of South Africa. It highlights the precarious position of South African freshwater systems with regard to the potential invasion by damaging submerged invasive species. It also provides interesting insights into the effect of competition, herbivory and parasitism on the establishment and spread of species within submerged freshwater systems. Understanding the different influences could assist managers and policy makers to make validated decisions ensuring the integrity of South African freshwater systems.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Resource managers need to be able to quickly and accurately map aquatic plants in freshwater lakes and ponds for regulatory purposes, to monitor the health of native species and to monitor the spread of invasive species. Site surveys and transects are expensive and time consuming, and low resolution imagery is not detailed enough to map multiple, small lakes spread out over large areas. This study evaluated methods for mapping aquatic plants using high resolution Quickbird satellite imagery obtained in 2007 and 2008. The study area included nine lakes in northern Indiana chosen because they are used for recreation, have residential development along their shorelines, support a diverse wildlife population, and are susceptible to invasive species. An unsupervised classification was used to develop two levels of classification. The Level I classification divided the vegetation into detailed classes of emergent and submerged vegetation based on plant structure. In the Level II classification, these classes were combined into more general categories. Overall accuracy of the Level I classification was 68% for the 2007 imagery and 58% for the 2008 imagery. The overall accuracy of the Level II classification was higher for both the 2007 and 2008 imagery at 75% and 74%, respectively. Classes containing bulrushes were the least accurately mapped in the Level I classification. In the Level II classification, the least accurately mapped class was submerged vegetation. Water and man-made surfaces were mapped with the highest degree of accuracy in both classification schemes. Overhanging trees and shore vegetation contributed to classification error. Overall, results of this research suggest that high resolution imagery provides useful information for natural resource managers. It is most applicable to mapping general aquatic vegetation categories, such as submerged and emergent vegetation, and providing general estimates of plant coverage in lakes. Better methods for mapping individual species, species assemblages, and submerged vegetation constitute areas for further research.