The colonization success of an exotic Poaceae is related to native macrophyte richness, wind disturbance and riparian vegetation (original) (raw)
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STATUS OF THE INVASION OF A POACEAE SPECIES IN TROPICAL SEMIARID RESERVOIRS
The species of the Urochloa genus, exotic and infesting in Brazilian waters, are known to be invasive and dominant, occupying from humid, shallow areas, and irrigation canals to margins of deep reservoirs. This paper hypothesis that less depth reservoirs have higher infestation rate and higher biomass of U. arrecta. The objectives were to measure the percentage of occurrence of exotic macrophyte U. arrecta in 40 ecosystems from the Mamanguape basin (Paraíba, Brazil) and determine the infestation of the species in two reservoirs. The acquired data were geo-referenced with the ArcGIS software (v. 9.3). A covariance analysis was performed using the R program (The R project is Statistical Computing). The results showed large spatial distribution of the species, indicating that reservoirs may act as stepping-stones in the landscape, in a regional scale. The hypothesis of biotic acceptance is seen as a relevant factor in explaining the presence of the species with low percentage of occurrence in 37 out of the 40 sampled ecosystems, being observed only in areas prone to the colonization of native and naturalized macrophytes, in banks and points of lower declivity, in both spatial scales studied. Thus, factors such as environmental instability (promoted by intermittent or prolonged desiccation of the habitat), shadowing and declivity of the reservoirs synergistically acted on exotic and native species. RESUMO-Espécies do gênero Urochloa, exótica e infestante em águas brasileiras, são reconhecidamente invasoras e dominantes, ocupando desde áreas úmidas e rasas, canais de irrigação a margens de reservatórios profundos. Hipotetiza-se neste estudo que reservatórios com menor profundidade apresentam maior taxa de infestação e maior biomassa por U. arrecta. Os objetivos foram mensurar o percentual da ocorrência da macrófita exótica U. arrecta em 40 ecossistemas da bacia do Mamanguape (Paraíba, Brasil) e determinar a infestação da espécie em dois reservatórios. Os dados obtidos foram georreferenciados com o programa ArcGis (v. 9.3). Análise de covariância foi realizada, utilizando-se o programa R (The R project for Statistical Computing). Os resultados mostraram ampla distribuição espacial da espécie, indicando que reservatórios podem atuar como " stepping-stones " na paisagem, em escala regional. A hipótese da aceitação biótica é apontada como fator relevante para explicação da presença da espécie com baixo percentual de ocorrência em 37 dos 40 ecossistemas amostrados, sendo observada apenas em áreas propensas a colonização de nativas e naturalizadas, em margens e pontos de menor declividade, em ambas as escalas espaciais estudadas. Dessa forma, fatores como instabilidade ambiental (promovida pela intermitência ou dessecação de habitat prolongada), sombreamento e declividade dos reservatórios atuaram sinergicamente sobre exóticas e nativas. Palavras-chave: Urochloa arrecta, ecossistemas aquáticos, escalas espaciais.
We investigated the potential effects of an invasive alien Poaceae (Urochloa arrecta) on the abundance, richness, and composition of native macrophytes and fish. Samples were collected in patches of macrophytes dominated by the invasive species and in others dominated by a native macrophyte (Eichhornia azurea). We assessed the potential effects of these two species on macrophyte and fish abundance and richness, as well as in fish assemblage composition. The effects of both macrophytes did not differ when they were in similar, low bio-masses. Consistent with our expectations, however, the abundance of native macrophytes and fish decreased with increasing U. arrecta biomass, and both assemblages were eliminated at the extreme high levels of biomass attained by this species. In contrast, E. azurea did not affect the assemblages because this native species never reached levels of biomass as high as those recorded for the invasive species. Competition for space and light most likely determines the elimination of macrophytes in patches that are extensively colonized by U. ar-recta, whereas fish assemblages do not occupy these patches due most likely to the limited space available for movement and foraging. Thus, U. arrecta is a source of concern for biodiversity conservation because it has negative influences on both assemblages when it is well developed, which is true in the later stages of the invasion process. Abstract in Portuguese is available in the online version of this article
Native macrophyte density and richness affect the invasiveness of a tropical Poaceae species
PLoS ONE 8(3): e60004. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0060004
The role of the native species richness and density in ecosystem invasibility is a matter of concern for both ecologists and managers. We tested the hypothesis that the invasiveness of Urochloa arrecta (non-native in the Neotropics) is negatively affected by the species richness and abundance of native aquatic macrophytes in freshwater ecosystems. We first created four levels of macrophyte richness in a greenhouse (richness experiment), and we then manipulated the densities of the same native species in a second experiment (density experiment). When the native macrophytes were adults, fragments of U. arrecta were added, and their growth was assessed. Our results from the richness experiment corroborated the hypothesis of a negative relationship between the native species richness and the growth of U. arrecta, as measured by sprout length and root biomass. However, the resistance to invasion was not attributed to the presence of a particular native species with a greater competitive ability. In the density experiment, U. arrecta growth decreased significantly with an increased density of all five of the native species. Density strongly affected the performance of the Poaceae in a negative manner, suggesting that patches that are densely colonized by native macrophytes and less subject to disturbances will be more resistant to invasion than those that are poorly colonized and more commonly subjected to disturbances. Our density experiment also showed that some species exhibit a higher competitive ability than others (sampling effect). Although native richness and abundance clearly limit the colonization and establishment of U. arrecta, these factors cannot completely prevent the invasion of aquatic ecosystems by this Poaceae species.
A diversidade e a biomassa de macrófitas nativas são negativamente relacionadas com a dominância de uma Poaceae invasora em riachos sub-tropicais Abstract: Besides exacerbated exploitation, pollution, flow alteration and habitats degradation, freshwater biodiversity is also threatened by biological invasions. This paper addresses how native aquatic macrophyte communities are affected by the non-native species Urochloa arrecta, a current successful invader in Brazilian freshwater systems. We compared the native macrophytes colonizing patches dominated and non-dominated by this invader species. We surveyed eight streams in Northwest Paraná State (Brazil). In each stream, we recorded native macrophytes' richness and biomass in sites where U. arrecta was dominant and in sites where it was not dominant or absent. No native species were found in seven, out of the eight investigated sites where U. arrecta was dominant. Thus, we found higher native species richness, Shannon index and native biomass values in sites without dominance of U. arrecta than in sites dominated by this invader. Although difficult to conclude about causes of such differences, we infer that the elevated biomass production by this grass might be the primary reason for alterations in invaded environments and for the consequent impacts on macrophytes' native communities. However, biotic resistance offered by native richer sites could be an alternative explanation for our results. To mitigate potential impacts and to prevent future environmental perturbations, we propose mechanical removal of the invasive species and maintenance or restoration of riparian vegetation, for freshwater ecosystems have vital importance for the maintenance of ecological services and biodiversity and should be preserved.
Temporal trends and effects of diversity on occurrence of exotic macrophytes in a large reservoir
Acta Oecologica-international Journal of Ecology, 2009
Two exotic invasive macrophyte species (the emergent Urochloa subquadripara -tenner-grass -and the submersed Hydrilla verticillata -hydrilla) were investigated in a large sub-tropical reservoir. We analyzed their occurrences over an extended period and tested the hypothesis that macrophyte richness decreases their invasibility. The alternative hypothesis that the occurrence of these exotics is affected by fetch and underwater radiation (important determinants of macrophyte assemblage composition in this reservoir) was also tested. Incidence data (presence/absence) was obtained over 9.5 years at 235 stations. Logistic regression was applied to test whether the likelihood of occurrence of these two species was affected by macrophyte richness, fetch or underwater radiation. Tenner-grass was recorded at a high frequency and quickly recovered from disturbances caused by water drawdown. In contrast, H. verticillata was first recorded in 3 sites in January 2007, but it spread quickly, reaching 30.5% of the sites 19 months later. The main channel of the Paraná River was the main source of propagules for this species. The likelihood of occurrence of tenner-grass was positively affected by macrophyte richness but negatively affected by fetch. Thus, wave disturbance is probably more important than diversity in preventing invasion by this species. Hydrilla, by contrast, was negatively affected by macrophyte richness and positively affected by fetch and underwater radiation. Although this result might indicate that macrophyte diversity prevents hydrilla invasion, this is probably not true because hydrilla colonized deeper sites where few species of plant exist. Resistance to disturbances caused by water drawdown (tenner-grass) and waves (hydrilla) as well as persistency of tenner-grass and fast spread of hydrilla make these exotic species a cause for concern because of their potential impacts on water uses and maintenance of diversity.
Weak non-linear influences of biotic and abiotic factors on invasive macrophyte occurrence
Aquatic Invasions, 2021
Aquatic plants (macrophytes) are important components of freshwater ecosystems and serve numerous functions, both physical and biological, that help to structure aquatic communities. However, invasive macrophytes may negatively alter ecosystem properties. Non-native invasive species have been identified as a major cause of biodiversity loss and the increasing prevalence of invasive species has prompted studies to help understand their impacts and to conserve biodiversity. Studying mechanisms of invasion also gives ecological insight into how communities are structured and assembled. This study examined a set of potential factors influencing invasion including biotic resistance, exposure, and water depth using mixed-effects models on macrophyte survey data collected from twenty-nine lakes across the United States. The results of this study indicated that biotic resistance measured from native species richness, exposure due to fetch, and water depth interact, often in non-linear ways ...
Freshwater Biology, 2009
1. The issue of freshwater species being threatened by invasion has become central in conservation biology because inland waters exhibit the highest species richness per unit area, but apparently have the highest extinctions rates on the planet.2. In this article, we evaluated the effects of an exotic, invasive aquatic grass (Urochloa subquadripara– tropical signalgrass) on the diversity and assemblage composition of native macrophytes in four Neotropical water bodies (two reservoirs and two lakes). Species cover was assessed in quadrats, and plant biomass was measured in further quadrats, located in sites where tropical signalgrass dominated (D quadrats) and sites where it was not dominant or entirely absent (ND quadrats). The effects of tropical signalgrass on macrophyte species richness, Shannon diversity and number of macrophyte life forms (a surrogate of functional richness) were assessed through regressions, and composition was assessed with a DCA. The effects of tropical signalgrass biomass on the likelihood of occurrence of specific macrophyte life forms were assessed through logistic regression.3. Tropical signalgrass had a negative effect on macrophyte richness and Shannon and functional diversity, and also influenced assemblage composition. Emergent, rooted with floating stems and rooted submersed species were negatively affected by tropical signalgrass, while the occurrence of free-floating species was positively affected.4. Our results suggest that competition with emergent species and reduction of underwater radiation, which reduces the number of submersed species, counteract facilitation of free-floating species, contributing to a decrease in plant diversity. In addition, homogenisation of plant assemblages shows that tropical signalgrass reduces the beta diversity in the macrophyte community.5. Although our results were obtained at fine spatial scales, they are cause for concern because macrophytes are an important part of freshwater diversity.
Acta Botanica Brasilica, 2021
Submersed macrophytes have important ecological roles but non-native invasive species may affect biodiversity and water uses. We investigated the native macrophyte Egeria najas and the invasive Hydrilla verticillata and measured their maximum colonization depth and its relationship with Secchi disk depth, their biomass along the depth gradient and their preferred depths of occurrence. The Itaipu Reservoir was monitored for seven years, during which maximum colonization depth and Secchi disk depth were measured. During a separate sampling, plants were collected to determine biomass along the depth gradient. Ancova showed that the maximum colonization depth of both species increased with increasing Secchi disk depth, but the maximum colonization depth of H. verticillata increased faster with increasing water transparency than did that of E. najas. Quadratic regression revealed that the biomass of each species peaks at intermediate depths. Hydrilla verticillata colonizes deeper regions than does E. najas. The patterns found in the present study can be explained by underwater light and, probably, wave disturbances. The preference of H. verticillata for deeper sites indicates that the ecological niches of the two macrophytes differ, and that H. verticillata has great potential to spread and accumulate biomass in reservoirs.
Freshwater Biology, 2010
1. The issue of freshwater species being threatened by invasion has become central in conservation biology because inland waters exhibit the highest species richness per unit area, but apparently have the highest extinctions rates on the planet. 2. In this article, we evaluated the effects of an exotic, invasive aquatic grass (Urochloa subquadripara -tropical signalgrass) on the diversity and assemblage composition of native macrophytes in four Neotropical water bodies (two reservoirs and two lakes). Species cover was assessed in quadrats, and plant biomass was measured in further quadrats, located in sites where tropical signalgrass dominated (D quadrats) and sites where it was not dominant or entirely absent (ND quadrats). The effects of tropical signalgrass on macrophyte species richness, Shannon diversity and number of macrophyte life forms (a surrogate of functional richness) were assessed through regressions, and composition was assessed with a DCA. The effects of tropical signalgrass biomass on the likelihood of occurrence of specific macrophyte life forms were assessed through logistic regression. 3. Tropical signalgrass had a negative effect on macrophyte richness and Shannon and functional diversity, and also influenced assemblage composition. Emergent, rooted with floating stems and rooted submersed species were negatively affected by tropical signalgrass, while the occurrence of free-floating species was positively affected. 4. Our results suggest that competition with emergent species and reduction of underwater radiation, which reduces the number of submersed species, counteract facilitation of free-floating species, contributing to a decrease in plant diversity. In addition, homogenisation of plant assemblages shows that tropical signalgrass reduces the beta diversity in the macrophyte community. 5. Although our results were obtained at fine spatial scales, they are cause for concern because macrophytes are an important part of freshwater diversity.