Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/11681/6354
Title: Evaluation of a Myriophyllum spicatum decline in reservoirs of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers
Authors: Smith, Craig S., Biologist
Barko, John W.
Keywords: Aquatic systems
Climatic change
Environment
Eurasian watermilfoil
Macrophyte decline
Sediment chemistry
Tennessee River
Cumberland River
Underwater light
Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (U.S.)
Publisher: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station
Series/Report no.: Technical Report (Aquatic Plant Control Research Program (U.S.)) ; no.Technical Report A-96-6
Abstract: From 1989 through 1991, Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) and other submersed macrophyte species declined markedly in many locations within reservoirs of the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Environmental characteristics and vegetation cover histories were compared for locations in which plants declined, declined and then recovered, or remained stable. Sediment samples from these locations were planted with M. spicatum, and plants were grown under standard conditions. Sediments from decline and nondecline areas did not differ significantly in their ability to support M. spicatum growth. Of the environmental and sediment characteristics measured, only light availability (calculated as Secchi depth/water depth) differed significantly between decline and nondecline sites. Recovery of M. spicatum populations by 1993 in many decline sites suggests that these declines were short-term phenomena. probably resulting from climatic conditions during 1989-1991. If declines resulting from sediment-related mechanisms occur, they are likely to be long lasting and localized.
Description: Technical Report
Gov't Doc #: Technical Report A-96-6
Rights: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11681/6354
Appears in Collections:Technical Report

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat 
TR-A-96-6.pdfTechnical Report A-96-62.72 MBAdobe PDFThumbnail
View/Open