Notes on the submerged vegetation of lake Hawea

Abstract

The submerged vegetation of Lake Hawea, New Zealand, was impoverished compared with that of nearby Lake Wanaka. No vascular species were found and no vegetation was present over most of the depth range normally occupied by vascular hydrophytes. The exclusion of vascular hydrophytes was apparently associated with major water level fluctuations for hydro‐electric power generation. A low diversity of charophytes and one bryophyte were recorded from Lake Hawea. Charophytes occupied a similar maximum depth, but a depressed minimum depth when compared to the equivalent community in Lake Wanaka.

Keywords:

• water level fluctuation
• Lake Hawea
• submerged vegetation
• charophytes