What Plants Live Underwater?
The short answer to this question is, "Yes, plants live underwater!" While plants require oxygen to survive, just like humans do, a surprising number of plants are able to thrive under the surface of the ocean or other bodies of water.
Types of Underwater Plants
There are four main categories of plants that can live underwater:
• Submerged aquatic plants (SAVs): These plants grow entirely below the surface of the water. They have adapted to thrive in low-light environments with limited oxygen.
• Emergent aquatic plants (EAVs): These plants grow with at least part of their leaf structure above the surface. They can tolerate the mixture of air and water for survival.
• Wading plants: These plants partially immerse in the water and can tolerate more moisture than EAVs, but require oxygen.
• Free-floating plants (plankton): They grow suspended in water bodies without anchoring or substrata. They tend to reproduce rapidly and help as nutrient cyclers, aquatic plant dispersal facilitator and habitat creators. However, their growth speed determines water quality and has led to some negative feedback consequences.