Abstract
The hypothesis that the morphometric characteristics of the littoral zone of lakes are a major determinant of submerged macrophyte biomass was tested in Lake Menphremagog (Quebec-Vermont) by studying the relationship between maximum biomass of submerged macrophytes and physical and sediment characteristics of the littoral zone. The slope of the littoral zone accounted for 72% of the observed variability in maximum submerged macrophyte biomass (MSMB). By also incorporating sediment organic matter the variance explained was raised to 88% (P < 0.0001).