Aquatic Plant-Invertebrate and Waterfowl Associations in Mississippi

A modified Gerking sampler was used to sample standing crops of invertebrates associated with aquatic plants common to Alabama and Mississippi. Appearance and disappearance of the aquatic plant communities sampled were also ascertained. The aquatic plants which persisted during the winter months were Wolffiella floridana and Hydrocotyle ranunculoides. Two other aquatic plant species which produced large standing crops of invertebrates were Cabomba caroliniana and Ceratophyllum demersum; however, these plants did not persist in winter and early spring when a source of invertebrates is important in the diet of the female nesting wood duck.