Root: Shoot and Leaf Area Relationships of Macrophyte Communities in Chautauqua Lake, New York

Root: shoot, leaf:shoot, and leaf surface area:weight ratios were consistent in Vallisneria americana and Potamogeton richardsonii from Chautauqua in all except the smallest individuals. Root:shoot ratio increased across the aquatic hydrosere, i.e., from submergent to floating leaf to emergent communities, but leaf area index (LAI) varied little LAI in most undisturbed native communities ranged between 5-7 m2/m2but disturbed communities dominated by the alien Potamogeton crispus had LAI's of 11 m2/m2or more. Since these communities are very unstable and characterized by explosive growth, decreased life span, and spontaneous dieoff, and since P. crispus is an introduced species, the high LAI's may be maladjusted to local conditions. A community exhibiting high LAI's soon suffers excessive shading and spontaneous dieoffs.