Which of the following types of aquatic plants roots below the surface but has foliage above the water?

Emergent plants are characterized by their growth habits, where the roots are anchored in the substrate beneath the water surface, while their stems and foliage extend above the water. This adaptation allows them to access both the aquatic environment below and the atmosphere above, providing benefits such as enhanced gas exchange, exposure to sunlight for photosynthesis, and a higher level of resilience to wave action and fluctuating water levels.

In the context of aquatic ecosystems, emergent plants play a crucial role in stabilizing shorelines, providing habitat for wildlife, and improving water quality through filtration and nutrient uptake. Their distinctive growing habit distinguishes them clearly from submergent plants, which are entirely underwater; floating plants, which remain on the surface; and surface rooted plants, which may also have portions above water but do not typically have their root systems embedded in a substrate below the surface. Thus, emergent plants are the correct answer as they exemplify the given characteristics accurately.