Aquaflora

Aquaflora is a term used to describe the flora that inhabits aquatic environments. In common usage, it refers to aquatic plants and other photosynthetic organisms that complete part or all of their life cycle in water. The category includes true aquatic plants, such as freshwater macrophytes, emergent species, and floating plants, and in some classifications may also include marine seagrasses and, in certain contexts, some macroalgae counted as flora rather than algae.

Aquaflora spans freshwater, brackish, and marine habitats, from rivers and lakes to coastal estuaries and seagrass beds. Representative groups include floating duckweeds, submerged plants like pondweeds and hornworts, emergent reeds and bulrushes, and seagrasses such as Zostera and Cymodocea. Ecological roles include primary production, sediment stabilization, and provision of habitat for invertebrates and fish.

Adaptations common to aquaflora include specialized tissues such as aerenchyma for air transport, reduced cuticles, and buoyant or flexible leaves to maximize light capture. Reproduction can be sexual or vegetative, with many species dispersed by water or animals.

Humans utilize aquaflora for ornamental ponds and aquariums, restoration of wetlands, and in some regions as edible greens. Some aquatic plants also contribute to water quality by nutrient uptake and sediment stabilization, though nonnative or invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems.

Threats to aquaflora include nutrient pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and climate-related changes. Conservation and management focus on wetland restoration, sustainable harvesting, and careful introduction of nonnative species. See also aquatic plant, hydrophyte, seagrass.