The distribution of Ceratophyllum demersum L. in relation to nvironmental factors in restored al-Mashb Marsh, Hor al-Hammar, Southern Iraq

Abstract EN

After extensively drained of Mesopotamian wetlands, southern Iraq in 1990s Ceratophyllum demersum L.

reappeared as response to re-flooding.

This investigation was conducted to study distribution of Ceratophyllum demersum in Al-Mashb marsh, Hor Al-Hammar, and the physical-chemical properties of its habitat, Water depth (WD), light penetration (LP), water temperature (WT), water salinity (Sal.), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), calcium (Ca+2), magnesium (Mg+2), nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate were seasonally determined during 2008.

Its vegetation cover percentage was 85 % with its peak in summer, while the lowest value was 35 % in winter.

CANOCO ordination program (CCA) was used to analyze the data.

Statistically, Positive relationships for WT, pH, Ca+2, Mg+2, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate with the vegetation cover percentage were observed.

However, negative relationships for Sal, WD, LP, and DO with the vegetation cover percentage were observed.

Myriophyllum spicatum L.

and Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle were recorded as associated species with C.demersum community in this study.