Figure 5.6 Changes in the Distribution and Abundance of Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) on Long Point's Inner Bay, 1976-1995.
The availability of coontail during the 1970s in somewhat mysterious. Whereas coontail was not recorded during vegetative surveys conducted during 1976 (Table 5.3)(Smith 1976), it has been suggested that it was in fact present at that time (Dave Reid, personal communication). While it represented a small portion of the total macrophyte composition in the 1990s, Knapton and Petrie (1999) reported it at over 60% of their sampling stations and it is a dominant plant in some western portions of the Bay (Table 5.2 and Figure 5.6). It is tolerant of almost all environmental conditions, including ranges of water depth, light intensity, temperature, water chemistry, alkalinity, pH, and sediment types (Knapton and Petrie 1999; Martin and Uhler 1935). While the ecological basis for its recent establishment and expansion is unknown, it may be a function of the increased availability of fine-grained sediments. The establishment and expansion of this species may be cause for concern, as it has limited value for waterfowl on Long Point Bay, while its high environmental tolerance may enable it to further expand throughout the Bay.
