The role of emergent macrophytes in nutrient cycling in Lake Niepruszewskie (western Poland)

The role of emergent macrophytes in nutrient cycling was investigated in the littoral zone of Lake Niepruszewskie, which is dominated by this type of vegetation. The lake is characterized by an advanced stage of eutrophication as is evident in the frequent blooms that cause low transparency and high concentrations of chlorophyll a and seston. The shoot biomass of Phragmites australis and Typha angustifolia is the major component of the plant cover with respect to nutrient accumulation. Other plants play a marginal role in the nutrient turnover of the studied lake.