The submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) coverage in two NY Great Lakes aquatic beds increased significantly between 1972 and 2002 (Sodus Bay >35% and Chaumont Bay 198% areal increase). In addition, SAV was found at greater water depths in these two bays over that same time period (Sodus Bay from 5.5 to 6.4 m and Chaumont Bay 5.1 to 6.1 m). Researchers think that this increase is likely caused by increased water clarity in Lake Ontario, which could be associated with the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the invasion of filter-feeding zebra mussel and quagga mussel (Zhu et al. 2007).
There are probably several hundred occurrences statewide. Few occurrences are presumed to have good viability and are protected on public land or private conservation land. The physical setting of this community is restricted to the barrier bays of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and includes a few high quality examples. The current trend of this community is probably stable for occurrences on protected land, or declining slightly elsewhere due to moderate threats related to development pressure, invasive aquatic species, and alteration to the natural hydrology.
The increase of areal cover of Great Lakes aquatic beds and their expansion into deeper water in New York in recent decades is likely a result of increased water clarity in Lake Ontario, which could be associated with the implementation of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the invasion of filter-feeding zebra mussel and quagga mussel (Zhu et al. 2007). However, this increase also includes the spread of invasive aquatic plants.
Given the persistent physical barrier-bay setting of this community, the number and acres of Great Lakes aquatic beds in New York are probably comparable to historical numbers, but the water quality of several of these beds has likely declined significantly as a result of several human caused disturbances (e.g., nutrient and pollution run-off, invasive species, watershed development, etc.).
Great Lakes aquatic beds are threatened by shoreline development and its associated run-off (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural, and roads), recreational overuse (e.g., powerboats), and habitat alteration in the adjacent landscape (e.g., pollution run-off, oil spills, and increased impervious surfaces within the watershed). In addition, alteration to the natural hydrology (e.g., dredging of bay inlets for boat access, reduction in water lake level fluctuation from downstream dam) and reduction in water quality (e.g., siltation, turbidity, septic/nutrient run-off) are threats to these aquatic beds. Great Lakes aquatic beds are threatened by the spread of non-native invasive species, such as Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), European frog’s bit (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae), water chestnut (Trapa natans), curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), and zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). There is the potential threat that the use of herbicides to control exotic plants may affect non-target native species.
Where practical, establish and maintain bay shoreline buffer to reduce storm-water, pollution, and nutrient run-off, while simultaneously capturing sediments before they reach the aquatic bed. Buffer width should take into account the erodibility of the surrounding soils, slope steepness, and current land use. If possible, minimize the number and size of impervious surfaces in the surrounding landscape. Avoid habitat alteration within the lake and surrounding landscape. For example, roads should not be routed through the buffer area. Prevent the spread of invasive exotic species into the lake through appropriate direct management, and by minimizing potential dispersal corridors. Great Lakes aquatic beds would likely benefit from actions included in Lakewide Action and Management Plans (or LAMPs) for Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. These plans include actions to assess, restore, protect and monitor the ecosystem health of each Great Lake in New York State.
When considering road construction and other development activities, minimize actions that will change what water carries and how water travels to Great Lake bays with aquatic beds, both on the surface and underground. Water traveling over-the-ground as run-off usually carries an abundance of silt, clay, and other particulates during (and often after) a construction project. While still suspended in the water, these particulates make it difficult for aquatic animals to find food; after settling to the bottom of the lake, these particulates bury small plants and animals and alter the natural functions of the community in many other ways. Thus, road construction and development activities near Great Lake bays should strive to minimize particulate-laden run-off into this community. Water traveling on the ground or seeping through the ground also carries dissolved minerals and chemicals. Road salt, for example, is becoming an increasing problem both to natural communities and as a contaminant in household wells. Fertilizers, detergents, and other chemicals that increase the nutrient levels in Great Lake bays cause algae blooms and eventually an oxygen-depleted environment where few animals can live. Herbicides and pesticides often travel far from where they are applied and have lasting effects on the quality of the natural community. So, road construction and other development activities should strive to consider: 1. how water moves through the ground, 2. the types of dissolved substances these development activities may release, and 3. how to minimize the potential for these dissolved substances to reach this natural community.
Resurvey known occurrences and survey for occurrences statewide to advance documentation of the current stucture, composition, and condition of Great Lakes aquatic beds. A statewide review of the barrier bays of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie is desirable. Continue searching for aquatic beds in good condition (A- to AB-ranked). Review and incorporate data on occurrences in NY gathered by the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Adaptive Management (GLAM) Committee. Confirm if this community is present in Lake Champlain and determine its extent down the St. Lawrence River.
Need research on how Great Lakes aquatic beds change over time in response to fluctuating water levels in Lake Ontario. Further research is needed at additional sites as a follow-up to Zhu et al. (2007) on the impacts of invasive aquatic plants and non-native mussels to aquatic beds.
Restricted to the Great Lakes Ecoregion in direct association with Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The range extends northeast in association with the outlet of Lake Ontario downstream along the upper Saint Lawrence River to about Chippewa Bay.
This community is restricted to the Great Lakes basin in direct association with the Great Lakes. This range spans north and west to Lake Superior south to Lake Erie and east to the outlet of Lake Ontario.
Great Lakes aquatic beds are aquatic communities located in the protected shoals of the Great Lakes or Lake Champlain. They occur in quiet bays that are protected from extreme wave action by islands, shoals or barrier bars, and typically support large areas of “weeds” or aquatic macrophytes. These bays may freeze over in winter and become inversely stratified (coldest water at the surface). They are warm, mesotrophic, and alkaline. Substrate can vary among sand, silt, muck, and rock. Two variants are known: 1) typical “aquatic beds” with abundant submerged aquatic vegetation; and 2) unvegetated or very sparsely-vegetated bays and coves.
Great Lakes aquatic beds are best developed in the barrier bays of Lake Ontario and typically dominated by submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and floating-leaved aquatic plants. Bays with SAV should be deep enough to have little to no emergent vegetation, but not too deep to exclude submergent vegetation. Typical maximum depth is about 6 m (20 feet). Water depth is generally shallow enough to be characterized as a winter-stratified monomictic lake-type.
Known examples of this community have been found at elevations between 221 feet and 250 feet.
The vegetation of Great Lakes aquatic beds is most evident during the summer growing season and best observed from a boat.
This New York natural community encompasses all or part of the concept of the following International Vegetation Classification (IVC) natural community associations. These are often described at finer resolution than New York's natural communities. The IVC is developed and maintained by NatureServe.
This New York natural community falls into the following ecological system(s). Ecological systems are often described at a coarser resolution than New York's natural communities and tend to represent clusters of associations found in similar environments. The ecological systems project is developed and maintained by NatureServe.
Percent cover
This figure helps visualize the structure and "look" or "feel" of a typical Great Lakes Aquatic Bed. Each bar represents the amount of "coverage" for all the species growing at that height. Because layers overlap (shrubs may grow under trees, for example), the shaded regions can add up to more than 100%.
Clausen, R.T. 1940. Aquatic vegetation of the Lake Ontario watershed. In: A biological survey of the Lake Ontario watershed, including all waters from Little Sandy Creek westward except the Genesee and Oswego River systems; supplemental to 29th annual report, Biological survey report XVI. pp 167-23.1
Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero (editors). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke’s Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY. https://www.nynhp.org/ecological-communities/
Edinger, Gregory J., D.J. Evans, Shane Gebauer, Timothy G. Howard, David M. Hunt, and Adele M. Olivero (editors). 2002. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. (Draft for review). New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. 136 pp.
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2023. New York Natural Heritage Program Databases. Albany, NY.
Reschke, Carol. 1990. Ecological communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Latham, NY. 96 pp. plus xi.
Zhu, Bin, D. G. Fitzgerald, S. B. Hoskins, L. G. Rudstam, C. M. Mayer, and E. L. Mills. 2007. Quantification of Historical Changes of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Cover in Two Bays of Lake Ontario with Three Complementary Methods. Journal of Great Lakes Research 33(1), 122-135.
This guide was authored by: Gregory J. Edinger
Information for this guide was last updated on: November 3, 2023
Please cite this page as:
New York Natural Heritage Program. 2023.
Online Conservation Guide for
Great Lakes aquatic bed.
Available from: https://guides.nynhp.org/great-lakes-aquatic-bed/.
Accessed December 8, 2023.