This research is part of a project aiming to develop aquatic plant integrated management programs in five reservoirs of the Tietê watershed (São Paulo, Brasil) used to produce electric energy. The occurrence of aquatic plants was correlated to water and sediment composition. Water and sediment samplings and field evaluations were performed in June 2001 (drought season), October/November of 2001 (start of rainy season) and February/March 2002 (end of rainy season). Water samples were used to estimate the transmission or extinction of light from 190 to 900 nm by 1 m-thick water columns. To better understand and register (in digital pictures) the problems encountered with the formation of sediment banks and aquatic plants, all the reservoirs were overflown using a helicopter, on June 4th and 5th. The results allowed to conclude that the occurrence of submersed plants, mainly Egeria densa and Egeria najas, is highly dependent on water transparency and light transmission. The higher turbidity and content of suspended solids, as well as the lower light transmission change the frequency of submersed plants. Promissão and Nova Avanhandava reservoirs were the most infested with submersed plants. The occurrence of marginal and floating plants is highly dependent on the formation of sediment banks. Barra Bonita, Bariri and Ibitinga reservoirs were the most infested with marginal and floating plants. P and N concentrations, turbidity and the contents of suspended solids were reduced by the downstream movement along the sequence of reservoirs (Barra Bonita => Bariri => Ibitinga => Promissão => Nova Avanhandava).
water quality; aquatic plant; sediment; reservoir
