Macrophytic flora and vegetation of Lake Shirarutoro in Kushiro Marsh, Japan

Abstract

The macrophytic communities in Lake Shirarutoro were investigated in August 2007. Twenty-three species including 4 found on the Japanese Red List were recorded in the survey. Communities of submerged plants were observed in the northern area of the lake. In the southern area, the distribution of submerged plants was sparse, while a floating leaved plant, Trapa japonica, was dominant. Although the lake still maintains a relatively high floristic diversity, their abundance may have decreased in recent years.