Aquatic vegetation types identified during early and late phases of vegetation recovery in the Upper Mississippi River

Assemblage patterns and processes of aquatic vegetation in most large floodplain rivers are not well understood, particularly after plant recovery. Identifying types, which recurring groupings based on species composition, diversity, abundances, can describe assembly environmental drivers that aid conservation planning management. We used a 22-year dataset (n = 18,000 sampling plots) to identify types during an “early phase” “late recovery at multiple spatial scales nested within 500-km river reach the Upper Mississippi River, USA. hypothesized varied according scale because stark differences among riverine habitats differing regional pools along river's latitudinal gradient, late phase had developed several new types. first cluster analyses spatiotemporal number their characteristics, such as indicator species, compositions diversity index. Then we applied multivariate regression pinpoint factors (such hydrodynamics, system productivity, local habitat, water quality) structured those Clustering revealed ~90% plots irrespective were classified into indicated unique composition unpredictable. However, impounded areas upriver from dams matured five types: lotus (Nelumbo lutea Willd.), submersed (a mix 11 common species), watercelery (Vallisneria americana Michx.), arrowheads (Sagittaria rigida Pursh Sagittaria latifolia diverse community (with high indices life forms). The associated with three gradients related inundation depth duration, clarity. These known be ecological value fish wildlife thus targets for restoration, example, is principal forage migrating canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) River flyway. Our results provide insights habitat by providing quantitative, restoration.