Effects of water level at Lake Constance on the Deschampsietum rhenanae from 1989 to 2003

The Deschampsietum rhenanae is an endemic. and endangered lakeshore community growing in the upper littoral of Lake Constance, the occurrence of which has been reduced dramatically during the last 100 years. The existence of this community depends on the seasonal water level changes of the unregulated, prealpine Lake Constance. Long-term monitoring indicates that the typical species of the Deschampsietum rhenanae and their competitors may be strongly affected by extreme water levels. An earlier onset of the water level increase in spring could potentially pose a threat to the Deschampsietum rhenanae, especially if the water level rises before seed ripening in the Deschampsietum rhenanae.