Potential for the development of submerged macrophytes in eutrophicated shallow peaty lakes after restoration measures

Biomanipulation of eutropicated peaty lakes has rarely been successful; clear water with dense macrophyte stands fails to develop in most cases. It was unclear whether (1) high turbidity due to resuspension by benthivorous fish or wind is the major cause of low macrophyte density or whether (2) the establishment of submerged macrophyte stands is prevented by a lack of propagules, low cohesive strength of the lake sediment, high concentrations of phytotoxics, grazing by waterfowl and/or shading by periphyton growth. These hypotheses were tested in an experiment in a shallow peat lake in the Netherlands (Terra Nova). Removal of fish from a 0.5 ha experimental site resulted in clear water and the development of a dense (90% coverage) and species-rich (10 species) submerged vegetation. At a fish-stocked site and a control site the water remained turbid and dense macrophyte stands did not develop. The establishment of submerged macrophytes appeared not to be limited by a lack of propagules. Introduced plants grew poorly in turbid water, but very well in clear water. Exclosures showed that bird grazing reduced the plant biomass. In clear water grazing seemed to enhance the vegetation diversity. Periphyton development did not prevent plant growth in clear water. After the experiment, the fish stock was greatly reduced in the whole lake (85 ha), to test if (3) in a large lake, submerged macrophyte stands will not develop after biomanipulation. In the first season after fish reduction, transparency increased and species-rich submerged macrophyte stands developed, covering 60% of the shallow parts of the lake. Most of the species known to have occurred in the past re-established. The results indicate that high turbidity caused by benthivorous fish in combination with bird grazing were the major causes of the absence of submerged macrophyte stands in this lake. Abiotic conditions after the clearing of the lake were suitable for the growth of macrophytes. We infer that the restoration potential of submerged macrophyte stands in eutrophicated peaty lakes can be high, and results can be obtained quickly.