Abstract
Aquatic plants and water were collected in five ponds and three rivers in the Espinhaço Range, during the period between December 2001 to August 2003. Ponds: Tanque da Fazenda, Comprida, Arame, Estivinha and Americana. Rivers: Corrento, Taquaral and Preto. The following variables were measured: water temperature, transparency, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, oxygen biochemical demand, oxygen chemical demand, ammoniacal nitrogen, total nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorous, and total phosphate. In the lothic environmental conductivity values were recorded for Corrento e Preto riverrs and were correlated to the supply of natural nutrients. Considering lenthic environments, Americana e Estivinha ponds showed higher values of electrical conductivity and OCD. The highest value of water transparency was found in the Tanque da Fazenda pond. In the ordering of species, higher richness of macrophytes was observed in the ponds Americana, Estivinha, and Comprida. These presented stronger correlation with the values of temperature, pH and nitrogen concentration. The ordination of biological form suggested that floating species are more common in environments rich in nitrogen and of warmer water. Probably, the diversity of environments found in this study, with different physical and chemical characteristics are reflected in the floristic composition and ecosystem function.
Key words:
aquatic macrophyte; water quality; relationships environment and species; wetlands