Relationship among tilapia,periphyton and submerged macrophyte: A review

In shallow and eutrophicated lakes,submerged macrophyte is the crucial factor for clear water state or turbid state.While strong competition of periphyton for illumination,carbon sources,and nutrition has become the determinant on growth and development of submerged macrophytes communities.Tilapia,as the dominant species in south freshwater ecosystem,its top-down effect could alleviate the negative influences of periphyton on submerged macrophytes growth because of its probability of gazing and consumption on periphyton.So,as the dominant species of waterbody in South China,author think that tilapia can be used to control growth of periphyton and prompt submerged macrophyte development in shallow and eutrophic lake.Besides,tilapia can also accelerate nutrition regeneration by excretion and herbivory on submerged macrophytes.Therefore,this paper summarizes predecessor's conclusions,and proposes some intensive studies should be down to the relationship among tilapia,periphyton and submerged macrophytes with consideration of all the factors.It is very important for management and ecological restoration of shallow and eutrophicated lakes in south of China.