Macrophytes from lakes in the eastern Pyrenees: community composition and ordination in relation to environmental factors

摘要

SUMMARY1. Thirty‐six species of macrophytes (fourteen flowering plants, two quillworts, sixteen mosses and liverworts, and two algae) were collected in an extensive survey of 116 high mountain lakes in the eastern Pyrenees. Seventy per cent of the lakes showed macrophyte development.2. The isoetids (Isoetes lacusiris, Isoetes setaceaandSubularia aquatica) were the dominant growth form, although the natopotamidSparganium angusifoliumwas the most widespread species. Potamids (Potamogetonspp.,Ranunculusspp.), the algaNitellagr.opacaand some mosses (Warnstorfia exannulata, Sphagnum denticulatum) were often present.3. A multivariate ordination analysis (RDA‐redundancy analysis) revealed that water chemistry, altitude and vegetation cover of the catchment, and nutrient availability are major environmental factors associated with macrophyte distribution along the eastern Pyrenean lakes. Isoetids prevailed in softwater oligotrophic lakes, potamids in relatively hardwater oligotrophic lakes, andPotamogeton natansandCallitriche palustrisin small and eutrophic water bodies affected by the presence of cat