American Wildcelery (Vallisneria americana)
Ecological Considerations for Restoration

Abstract

The success of vegetation management programs for waterfowl is dependent on knowing the physical and physiological requirements of the target species. Lakes and riverine impoundments that contain an abundance of the American wildcelery plant (Vallisneria americana) have traditionally been favored by canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) and other waterfowl species as feeding areas during migration. Information on the ecology of V. americana is summarized to serve as a guide for potential wetland restoration projects. Because of the geographic diversity and wetland conditions in which V. americana is found, we have avoided making hard-and-fast conclusions about the requirements of the plant. Rather, we present as much general information as possible and provide the sources of more specific information. Vallisneria americana is a submersed aquatic plant that has management potential. Techniques are described for transplanting winter buds from one location to another. Management programs that employ these techniques should define objectives clearly and evaluate the water regime carefully before initiating a major effort.

Korschgen, Carl E. and William L. Green.  1988.  American wildcelery 
     (Vallisneria americana): Ecological considerations for restoration.  U.S. 
     Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Technical Report 19.  24pp.

Korschgen, Carl E. and William L. Green.  1988.  American wildcelery 
     (Vallisneria americana): Ecological considerations for restoration.  U.S. 
     Fish and Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Technical Report 19.
     Jamestown, ND: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online. 
     http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/wildcel/index.htm
     (Version 16JUL97). 

Contents

Introduction

Description

Taxonomy

Morphology

Distribution

Reproduction

Sexual

Asexual

Phenology

Ecology

Water Depth and Turbidity

Hydrostatic Pressure

Substrate

Temperature

Flow

Water Chemistry

Chemical Control

Biological Control

Productivity

Rosettes

Winter Buds

Value

General

Wildlife Food

Nutritive Value

Invertebrate Cover

Fish Cover

Other

Propagation

Methods of Planting

Evaluation of Transplants

Materials

Costs

Sources

Acknowledgments

References

List of Tables and Figures