In tropical freshwater systems, aquatic plants are essential biodiversity assets that support ecosystem functions and provide opportunities for sustainable resource use. However, comparative research among different types of lentic water bodies remains limited. This study evaluated the distribution, diversity, and conservation significance of freshwater aquatic plants in major, medium, minor, and seasonal reservoirs, as well as floodplains, in Uva Province, Sri Lanka, during the rainy and dry seasons. Primary data collected from 30 sampling sites were analyzed using diversity indices, together with Probit and Tobit regression models. A total of 46 aquatic plant species belonging to 28 families were recorded, of which three were endemic, while the majority were native or indigenous to Sri Lanka. Seasonal reservoirs were associated with a higher occurrence of free-floating plant species, suggesting their ecological importance and potential relevance for freshwater aquaculture and reservoir management. Except for major reservoirs, aquatic plant diversity in other water-body types did not differ considerably from that of minor reservoirs. The findings highlight the ecological and economic importance of freshwater aquatic plants as biodiversity assets and emphasize the need for targeted conservation and sustainable management strategies to support ecosystem resilience and resource-based development in tropical reservoir systems.
Bambaranda et al. (Mon,) studied this question.
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