Application of underwater light measurements in nutrient and production studies in shallow rivers

Abstract
Summary: Due to fluctuations in water turbidity, river depth and total reflection from one river section to another, plant production is poorly correlated to solar radiation incident on the water surface. A relationship was observed between daily relative photosynthesis and photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) at the plant depth for Cladophora, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0·73. Therefore, the effect of low light levels can be compensated for when evaluating nutrient‐growth relationships for Cladophora in the field.