PERSPECTIVES FOR THE APPLICATION OF AQUATIC AND SEMI-AQUATIC PLANTS IN BIOMONITORING OF FRESHWATER, SALINE AND SODA AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

Aquatic plants are essential components of many freshwater and saltwater ecosystems. In this review, we provide information on aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation, on ecology (habitat, ecological groups) and morphological features (heterophylly, root system and mechanical tissues are poorly developed etc.) of macrophytes, as well as on environmental factors (light, temperature, ph, etc.) affecting their development. This article also contains information on the role and importance of coastal aquatic vegetation. Aquatic and semi aquatic plants are used as raw materials such as the pulp for paper, medicines, perfume industry, building materials, and fertilizers. Since these plants have a selective ability to absorb various substances, aquatic plants can be used as the indicators of the presence of toxicants in water. That is why the importance and relevance of further study of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants is beyond doubt. Aquatic plants differ significantly from terrestrial plants in their anatomical and physiological characteristics, life forms, and the ability to tolerate inorganic and biological stressors. Key examples of inorganic stressors are extreme flow rates, illumination, salinity, ice cover, temperature, nutrients and pollutants. Some aquatic plants have a worldwide distribution and display high polymorphism and phenotypic plasticity in response to variations in environmental factors. These qualities allow them to manifest and survive in a wide range of environmental conditions. However, some other species have a narrower area of distribution. In this review, we examined the key environmental factors affecting aquatic plants and also discussed their potential use as indicators at local and regional levels and the importance of monitoring, rational use and conservation of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants.