4.4. Implications for management
Because of serious disturbances in the mid-to-lower Reaches of the Yangtze River, some once dominant or widespread aquatic macrophytes have gone locally extinct or become rare and endangered (Jian et al., 2001; Peng et al., 2003). Although Trapa plants are abundant in the areas, most of them are densely distributed in water regions nearby lake shores. In recent years, lake shores are often reclaimed massively into paddy fields and fishponds. Given the habitats of Trapa are critically vulnerable, conservation attention should be put in the wild populations of Trapa. Maintenance of genetic diversity is a major focus in conservation biology because genetic variation is important for a species to maintain its evolutionary potential to cope with ever-changing environments (Frankham et al., 2002). The information gained on the levels and distribution of genetic variation in the water chestnut populations can be used to suggest appropriate management strategies