Studying the effect of altitude on species distribution may help us to predict the response of species to future climate changes, which will likely cause upward migration of vegetation zones. In this study, we aimed to analyze distribution and abundance patterns of Potamogetonaceae along an altitudinal gradient and to determine the species characterizing a priori defined five altitudinal groups. We included 294 sampling for 19 species from 141 wetlands across Turkey with an elevation gradient of 2700 m. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) found significant differences in species assemblages only between some altitudinal groups. Seven species were found in either high or low altitudes. Stuckenia pectinata had the highest contribution to all groups except one in analysis of similarity percentages. Detrended correspondence analysis revealed a clear altitudinal gradient by placing species under six clusters. Even widespread species occurring in all altitudes showed a tendency of altitudinal preference. The results were inferred from our physicochemical measurements for the species and relevant literature. Exclusively highland species were found in waters with similar physical and chemical properties (i.e. low electrical conductivity, salinity, and ammonium concentrations). However, lowland species were sampled from very diverse aquatic habitats. Among the lowland species Potamogeton acutifolius was found under low values for the above-mentioned physicochemical water parameters but Althenia orientalis showed extremely high values, as well as Potamogeton coloratus and Potamogeton nodosus. Understanding elevational distribution of macrophytes is especially important due to difficulties in their upward migration and availability of suitable aquatic habitats.

研究海拔高度对物种分布的影响可能有助于我们预测物种对未来气候变化的响应，这可能会导致植被区域向上迁移。在这项研究中，我们的目的是分析的分布和数量模式眼子菜沿海拔梯度，并确定表征先验物种定义了五个海拔组。我们从土耳其的141个湿地中提取了294种采样，分别来自19个物种，海拔梯度为2700 m。相似性分析（ANOSIM）发现，仅某些海拔组之间的物种组合存在显着差异。在高海拔或低海拔都发现了七个物种。木对所有组的贡献最大，除了相似百分比分析中的一组。去趋势对应分析通过将物种置于六个簇之下揭示了一个清晰的海拔梯度。即使在所有高度出现的广泛物种也显示出高度偏好的趋势。从我们对该物种的理化测量结果和相关文献中可以推断出结果。在具有相似的物理和化学特性（即低电导率，盐度和铵浓度）的水中发现了唯一的高地物种。但是，低地物种是从非常多样化的水生生境中取样的。在上述物理化学水参数的低地物种中，发现了低地物种百草枯（Potamogeton acutifolius），但侧柏显示出极高的值，以及Potamogeton coloratus和Potamogeton nodosus。由于大型植物的向上迁移和适当水生生境的可用性存在困难，因此了解大型植物的海拔分布尤为重要。