Occurrence and nutrient retention of aquatic macrophytes in roadside streams in the Mount Cameroon region

Roadside streams in the Mount Cameroon region are predisposed to nutrient enrichment from different anthropogenic activities carried out around catchment areas. The composition and diversity of aquatic macrophytes three roadside MCR, biomass, accumulation most abundant one were assessed order better understand quantify benefits accruing these macrophytes. Vegetation sampling was along transects at 50 m intervals, within which plots laid. Quadrats 1m by sub-sampled each plot all plants identified enumerated. Water, sediment, plant samples collected analysed for nutrients using standard procedures (nitrogen phosphorus). results show that vegetation is limited emergent (> 98%) floating-leaved life forms. A total 47 18 families 3 studied wetlands region. Plant taxa with many representative species included Poaceae (8 species), Araceae (6), Acanthaceae (5), Asteraceae (4). high Shannon-Wiener recorded across study sites (H ≥ 2.9) highest Ombe least Bota. P. purpureum showed significantly higher biomass (p < 0.05) compared other It had fresh weight dry weights (FW: 12.8±1.45 kg/m2 DW: 0.81± 0.11kg/m2) relative C. benghalensis I. aquatica.TN content (12.92 ± 0.67 g/kg). pupureum aquatica didn’t differ their nitrogen (P≤ while contained phosphorus concentrations above-ground tissues. TP storage >P. purpureum>I. aquatica. This suggests play vital roles retaining hence affecting water quality dynamics streams. These nutrient-rich can be removed system harvesting used as fodder prevent release into column through decomposition after dieback.