FW2J Nuphar lutea aquatic community
Vegetation
The yellow water-lily, Nuphar lutea is the sole constant in this aquatic community and provides a substantial amount of the cover. Growing with it occasionally will be emergents such as Equisetum fluviatile, Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Sparganium erectum or Typha latifolia, but these typically don’t form dense stands. A range of pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.) may also be found here. Stoneworts recorded from this community include Chara contraria, Chara globularis, Chara rudis, Chara virgata and Chara vulgaris.
Ecology
This community has largely been recorded from mesotrophic lakes in the lowlands, but probably also occurs in slow-moving rivers and canals.
Sub-communities
No sub-communities are currently described.
Similar communities
Nuphar lutea dominates in no other communities.
Conservation value
This is species-poor aquatic community (species/4 m2 = 3.2, n = 11). Elodea canadensis is an invasive non-native species found in this community but it is not considered a major ecological threat and has already colonised much of its suitable niche in Ireland.
Management
This is an unmanaged community. The main threat would appear to be eutrophication.