Changes in submersed macrophytes in relation to tidal storm surges

We analyzed long-term submersed macrophyte presence-absence data collected from 15 stations in Kings Bay/Crystal River, Florida in relation to three m ajor storm events. The percent occurrence of most species declined immediat ely after storm events but the recovery pattern after the storm differed am ong species. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata (L. F.) Royle) and Eurasian wa termilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) exhibited differing recolonization be haviors. Eurasian watermilfoil recolonized quickly after storms but decline d in abundance as hydrilla began to increase in abundance. Natural catastro phic events restructure submersed macrophyte communities by eliminating the dominate species, and allowing revegetation and restructuring of communiti es. Tidal surges may also act to maintain species diversity in the system. In addition, catastrophic events remove dense nuisance plant growth for sev eral years, altering the public's perception of the nuisance plant problem of Kings Bay/Crystal River.