Relationships among the eco-hydrological factors (e.g. water
flows, aquatic plants, and sediment) play important roles in
driving various ecological processes in both the biotic and
abiotic functions of a river (Franklin et al. 2008; Haley 2009;
Uedeme-Naa et al. 2011). Aquatic plants, which are important
components of natural river systems, are involved in
those functions. The aquatic plants produce oxygen through
photosynthesis. They also provide food sources and habitats
for life and reproduction of animals (Carpenter & Lodge 1986;
Dibble et al. 1996; Diehl & Kornijów 1998; Peng et al. 2012).
Aquatic plants can trap matter on the river bed and thereby
reducewater turbidity and increase sedimentation rate. Their
deposition and decomposition contribute organic matter
onto the bottom or are distributed downstream (Petticrew &
Kalff 1992).