THE AQUATIC VEGETATION OF THE OLD WOMAN CREEK NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE (HURON, OHIO): A LAKE ERIE COASTAL WETLAND

摘要

A floristic survey and macrophyte study of the Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC), a 56-hectare coastal wetland located in the western basin of Lake Erie, was conducted between 1993 and 1995 with limited follow-up surveys in 1996 and 1997. The survey was done to document the relatively unstudied vegetation of OWC as well as provide a review of historical change in species composition. During the multi-year survey, 143 aquatic and wetland plant species were recorded. This represents an increase of 39 documented species since the prior 1974 floristic survey. Notable changes since 1974 include the decline of the submerged species Pota-mogeton pectinatus and the emergent Peltandra virginica. Areas previously occupied by P. pectinatus and other submerged species, and the emergents Typha spp., Scirpus fluviatilis, and P. virginica have been replaced by extensive monotypic beds of Nelumbo lutea and Phragmites australis. Additional changes include the growth and distribution of Ceratophyllum demersum throughout the estuary and a first record of the exotic and highly invasive submersed species Myriophyllun spicatum. Change in species composition and abundance appear to be driven by water level fluctuations and the ability of certain invasive species to expand in this highly disturbed environment.