Aquatic and Wetland Flora of Fowler Lake, Buffalo National River, Arkansas, U.S.A.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fowler Lake is a small reservoir atop Cave Mountain at the Buffalo National River in Arkansas, U.S.A. We report on the floristic community at this reservoir in addition to describing large floating vegetation mats that occur in this system and the mechanisms that allow their formation. In 2019, floristic surveys assessed 30 species of hydrophytes and helophytes representing 16 families and 26 genera. In addition to the speciose families Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, and Poaceae, the families Araceae and Polygonaceae were represented by three or more species. Six species observed at Fowler Lake represent new county records. Floristic surveys provide valuable information to assess ecological impacts and management decisions in areas like the Ozark Plateau, where relatively little work has been done on regional aquatic macrophytes. This study represents the first comprehensive floristic survey of Fowler Lake at the Buffalo National River and serves as a reference for continued study of that system and aquatic plants throughout the Ozark Plateau.