Factors influencing biomass and nutrient content of the submersed macrophyte Egeria densa Planch in a pampasic stream

We identified factors influencing biomass and nutrient content in E. densa in an enriched pampean stream of Argentina. Physical (current velocity, temperature), chemical (pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nutrient content in water and sediments), and biological variables (biomass and nutrient content of E. densa, biomass of periphyton and other macrophytes) were estimated at each sampling occasion, and mean monthly values estimated. Biomass and nutrient content in E. densa were correlated with these physical-chemical and biological variables. Biomass was positively correlated with ammonium in stream water (P < 0.05) and sediment total nitrogen (P < 0.01). Nitrogen showed a positive relationship with ammonium (P < 0.01), and a negative one with nitrate and periphyton biomass (P < 0.05). Phosphorus was positively correlated with soluble reactive phosphorus (P < 0.01). The growth of other macrophyte species in the stream seemed to influence E. densa biomass, probably through competition for light. Current velocity was low and not significantly related with E. densa biomass; however, a flood at the beginning of the study washed the macrophyte stand downstream.