ISSN: 2287-688X Annals of Plant Sciences Vol. 9, Issue 4, (2020) pp. 3783-3788 Research Article *Corresponding Author: Greta M. Noquilla, E-mail: greta.noquilla@yahoo.com DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21746/aps.2020.9.4.1 Page | 3783 Diversity and distribution of aquatic vascular macrophytes in lake Buluan, Philippines Greta M. Noquilla*, Jonald C. Bornales, Naima G. Pendi, Ryan V. Fabay, Charess L. Gani College of Fisheries, Mindanao State University, Maguindanao, Philippines 9601. Abstract: This study aimed to determine the species composition and distribution of aquatic vascular macrophytes in Lake Buluan in Maguindanao and Sultan kudarat, Philippines. A total of ten (10) macrophytic species in 16 sampling sites were studied. In our observation, a non-native invasive species Eichhornia crassipes found to be dominant with a frequency of 81% occupying 496 hectares. The species diversity is found to be uneven and absence of submerged aquatic vegetation induces stress and disturbance in the lake ecosystem. Photographs of identified vascular macrophytes, study sites, Distribution map were provided. We recommend substantial measures have to be implemented to protect Buluan lake ecosystem against eutrophication and invasion. Keywords: Lake Buluan; Aquatic vascular macrophytes; Eichhornia crassipes. Introduction Aquatic vascular macrophytes are crucial com- ponent and function of aquatic biome which represents the major structural part of littoral habitats, acting as shelter, nesting, and feeding grounds for a wide variety of microorganisms, fish and waterfowl (Hudon et al., 2000). These plant species occupy different ecological niche in the aquatic environment and colonize many different types of aquatic ecosystem such as the lakes, reservoirs, wetlands, streams, rivers, marine environment and even rapids and falls (Wetzel, 2001). The nature of these plant comm- unities has been shown to affect light, tempera- ture, turbulence, water and sediment chemistry, and the abundance and composition of other biotic assemblages from epiphytes to phytopla- nkton (Johnson and Ostrofsky, 2004; Patel, 2012). Invasion of aquatic macrophytes in the lake ecosystem poses a threat not only to the bio- diversity of aquatic organisms but also to the lake fishery itself (You et al., 2014). In Philip- pines, proliferation of aquatic macrophytes especially the exotic ones have been a problem for many years. In fact, as early as 1970’s, report on Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) being a troublesome pest impeding navigation and water-ways in the country’s major rivers has been documented (Gangstad et al., 1976; Patel, 2012). However, there are only scant attention on floristic inventories and distribution of aquatic vascular macrophytes in the country and most of those studies were focused in Laguna Lake (Vicencio and Buot 2017) and other parts of Luzon (Napaldet and Buot, 2019). There are also no published studies on aquatic vascular macrophytes present for lake Buluan which is among the major but the least studied lakes in Phillipines. Due to the paucity in field exploration of aqua- tic vegetation and eutrophic systems in Philli- pines, we have undertaken this research which aimed to identify vascular macrophytic species and to determine the composition, abundance as well as its impact along with mapping of the habitats in Lake Buluan in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao, Philippines.