Depth distribution of three Typha species, Typha orientalis Presl, Typha angustifolia L. and Typha latifolia L., in an artificial pond

Abstract The depth distribution of the aquatic macrophyte Typha orientalis Presl was examined in comparison with two other Typha species: Typha angustifolia L. and Typha latifolia L. Vegetation surveys mapping the depth distributions were conducted at Ushigafuchi Pond, Tokyo, Japan, in autumn 2004 and 2005. All vegetation had been cleared from this artificial pond in spring 2003. In 2004 T. orientalis was distributed in shallow to deep water habitats between T. latifolia (shallow water regions) and T. angustifolia (shallow to deep water regions). However, by 2005 T. orientalis had almost disappeared from the pond. It had been replaced by Leersia japonica Makino at depths of 0–30 cm, by Schoenoplectus validus (Vahl) at depths of 30–60 cm and by T. angustifolia at depths of 60–100 cm. It appears that T. orientalis is not a strong competitor, particularly with taller species, but rather a pioneer species.