Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Impact of three aquatic invasive species on native plants and macroinvertebrates in temperate ponds

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biological Invasions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biological plant invasions pose a serious threat to native biodiversity and have received much attention, especially in terrestrial habitats. In freshwater ecosystems impacts of invasive plant species are less studied. We hypothesized an impact on organisms from the water column and from the sediment. We then assessed the impact of three aquatic invasive species on the plants and macroinvertebrates: Hydrocotyle ranunculoides, Ludwigia grandiflora and Myriophyllum aquaticum. Our research on 32 ponds in Belgium indicated that the reduction in the native plant species richness was a common pattern to invasion. However, the magnitude of impacts were species specific. A strong negative relationship to invasive species cover was found, with submerged vegetation the most vulnerable to the invasion. Invertebrate richness, diversity and abundance were measured in sediments of invaded and uninvaded ponds along a gradient of H. ranunculoides, L. grandiflora, and M. aquaticum species cover. We found a strong negative relationship between invasive species cover and invertebrate abundance, probably due to unsuitable conditions of the detritus for invertebrate colonization. Taxonomic compositions of aquatic invertebrate assemblages in invaded ponds differed from uninvaded ponds. Sensitive benthos, such as mayflies were completely absent in invaded ponds. The introduction of H. ranunculoides, L. grandiflora, and M. aquaticum in Belgian ponds has caused significant ecological alterations in the aquatic vegetation and the detritus community of ponds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ali MM, Soltan MA (2006) Expansion of Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian water milfoil) into Lake Nasser, Egypt: invasive capacity and habitat stability. Aquat Bot 84:239–244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpert P (2006) The advantages and disadvantages of being introduced. Biol Invasions 8:1523–1534

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alpert P, Bone E, Holzapfel C (2000) Invasiveness, invisibility and the role of environmental stress in the spread of non-native plants. Perspect Plant Ecol 3:52–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batzer DP (1998) Trophic interactions among detritus, benthic midges, and predatory fish in a freshwater marsh. Ecology 79:1688–1698

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boylen CW, Eichler LW, Madsen JD (1999) Loss of native aquatic plant species in a community dominated by Eurasian watermilfoil. Hydrobiologia 415:207–211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brendonck L, Maes J, Rommens W, Dekeza N, Nhiwatiwa T, Barson M, Callebaut V, Phiri C, Moreau K, Gratwicke B, Stevens M, Alyn N, Holsters E, Ollevier F, Marshall B (2003) The impact of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in a eutrophic subtropical impoundment (Lake Chivero, Zimbabwe). II. Species diversity. Arch Hydrobiol 158:389–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cattaneo A, Galanti G, Gentinetta S, Romo S (1998) Epiphytic algae and macroinvertebrates on submerged and floating-leaved macrophytes in an Italian lake. Freshw Biol 39:725–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cushman JH, Gaffney KA (2010) Community-level consequences of invasion: impacts of exotic clonal plants on riparian vegetation. Biol Invasions 12:2765–2776

    Google Scholar 

  • Dandelot S (2004) Les Ludwigia spp. invasives du Sud de la France: Historique, Biosystématique, Biologie et Ecologie. Dissertation, Université d’Aix-Marseille III, Marseille

  • Dandelot S, Verlaque R, Dutartre A, Cazaubon A (2005) Ecological, dynamic and taxonomic problems due to Ludwigia (Onagraceae) in France. Hydrobiologia 551:131–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dandelot S, Robles C, Pech N, Cazaubon A, Verlaque R (2008) Allelopathic potential of two invasive alien Ludwigia spp. Aquat Bot 88:311–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Backer S, Van Onsem S, Triest L (2010) Influence of submerged vegetation and fish abundance on water clarity in peri-urban eutrophic ponds. Hydrobiologia 656:255–267

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Groot M, Kleijn D, Jogan N (2007) Species groups occupying different trophic levels respond differently to the invasion of semi-natural vegetation by Solidago canadensis. Biol Conserv 136:612–617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman RS (2001) Taxonomic and size structures of phytophilous macroinvertebrate communities in Vallisneria and Trappa beds of the Hudson River, New York. Hydrobiologia 452:233–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gassmann A, Cock MJW, Shaw R, Evans CR (2006) The potential for biological control of invasive alien aquatic weeds in Europe: a review. Hydrobiologia 570:217–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gerber E, Krebs C, Murrell C, Moretti M, Rocklin R, Schaffner U (2008) Exotic invasive knotweeds (Fallopia spp.) negatively affect native plant and invertebrate assemblages in European riparian habitats. Biol Conserv 141:646–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gooden B, French K, Turner P, Downey P (2009) Impact threshold for an alien plant invader. Lantana camara L., on native plant communities. Biol Conserv 142:2631–2641

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gopal B, Goel U (1993) Competition and allelopathy in aquatic plant communities. Bot Rev 59(3):155–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurevitch J, Padilla DK (2004) Are invasive species a major cause of extinctions? Trends Ecol Evol 19:470–474

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hejda M, Pyšek P (2006) What is the impact of Impatiens glandulifera on species diversity of invaded riparian vegetation? Biol Conserv 132:143–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hejda M, Pyšek P, Jarošík V (2009) Impact of invasive plants on the species richness, diversity and composition of invaded communities. J Ecol 97:393–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herrera AM, Dudley TL (2003) Reduction of riparian arthropod abundance and diversity as a consequence of giant reed (Arundo donax) invasion. Biol Invasions 5:167–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hulme PE, Bremner ET (2006) Assessing the impact of Impatiens glandulifera on riparian habitats: partitioning diversity components following species removal. J Appl Ecol 43:43–50

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussner A (2008) Ökologische und ökophysiologische Charakteristika aquatischer Neophyten in Nordrhein-Westfalen, Dissertation, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany

  • Hussner A (2009) Growth and photosynthesis of four invasive aquatic plant species in Europe. Weed Res 49:506–515

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussner A, Meyer C, Busch J (2009) The influence of water level and nutrient availability on growth and root system development of Myriophyllum aquaticum. Weed Res 49:73–80

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kent M, Coker P (1992) Vegetation description and analysis—a practical approach. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Küster EC, Kühn I, Bruelheide H, Klotz S (2008) Trait interactions help explain plant invasion success in the German flora. J Ecol 96:860–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambinon J, De Langhe J, Delvosalle L, Duvignaud J (1998) Flora van België, het Groothertogdom Luxemburg, Noord-Frankrijk en de aangrenzende gebieden (Pteridofyten en Spermatofyten). Nationale Plantentuin van België, Meise

    Google Scholar 

  • Langdon SJ, Marrs RH, Hosie CA, Mcallister HA, Norris KM, Potter JA (2004) Crassula helmsii in U.K. ponds: effects on plant biodiversity and implications for newt conservation. Weed Technol 18:1349–1352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mack RN (2003) Phylogenetic constraint, absent life forms, and preadapted alien plants: a prescription of biological invasions. Int J Plant Sci 164:S185–S196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mandaville SM (2002) Benthic macroinvertebrates in freshwaters—taxa tolerance values, metrics, and protocols. Project H-1, Soil & Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax. xviii, 48 p, Appendices A-B, 120 p

  • Milbau A, Stout JC (2008) Factors associated with alien plants transitioning from casual, to naturalized, to invasive. Conserv Biol 22:308–317

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Newman JR, Dawson FH (1999) Ecology, distribution and chemical control of Hydrocotyle ranunculoides in the U.K. Hydrobiologia 415:295–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pillips EC (2008) Invertebrate colonization of native and invasive aquatic macrophytes in Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie. J Freshw Ecol 23:451–458

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pot R (2002) Invasion and management of Floating Pennywort (Hydrocotyle ranunculoides L.f.) and some other alien species in the Netherlands. In: Proceedings of the 11th EWRS international symposium on aquatic weeds, 2–6 Sep 2002, Moliets et Maa, France

  • Pyšek P, Pyšek A (1995) Invasion by Heracleum mantegazzianum in different habitats in the Czech Republic. J Veg Sci 6:711–718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pyšek P, Jarošík V, Pergl J, Randall R, Chytrý M, Kühn I, Tichý L, Danihelka J, Chrtek jun J, Sádlo J (2009) The global invasion success of Central European plants is related to distribution characteristics in their native range and species traits. Divers Distrib 15:891–903

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ricciardi A, Atkinson SK (2004) Distinctiveness magnifies the impact of biological invaders in aquatic ecosystems. Ecol Lett 7:781–784

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shea K, Chesson P (2002) Community ecology theory as a framework for biological invasions. Trends Ecol Evol 17:170–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheppard AW, Shaw RH, Sforza R (2006) Top 20 environmental weeds for classical biological control in Europe: a review of opportunities, regulations and other barriers to adoption. Weed Res 46:93–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shupryt MP, Stelzer RS (2009) Macrophyte beds contribute disproportionally to benthic invertebrate abundance and biomass in a sand plains stream. Hydrobiologia 632:329–339

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (2003) Biometry: the principles and practice of statistics in biological research. W.H. Freeman and Company, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Strayer DL, Malcom HM (2007) Submersed vegetation as habitat for invertebrates in the Hudson River Estuary. Estuaries Coasts 30:253–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Strayer DL, Lutz C, Malcom HM, Munger K, Shaw WH (2003) Invertebrate communities associated with a native (Vallisneria americana) and an alien (Trappa natans) macrophyte in a large river. Freshw Biol 48:1938–1949

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland S (2004) What makes a weed a weed: life history traits of native and exotic plants in the USA. Oecologia 141:24–39

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Theel HJ, Dibble ED, Madsen JD (2008) Differential influence of a monotypic and diverse native aquatic plant bed on a macroinvertebrate assemblage; an experimental implication of exotic plant induced habitat. Hydrobiologia 600:77–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thiébaut G (2007) Invasion success of non-indigenous aquatic and semi-aquatic plants in their native and introduced ranges. A comparison between their invasiveness in North America and France. Biol Invasions 9:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorp AG, Jones RC, Kelso DP (1997) A comparison of water-column macroinvertebrate communities in beds of differing submersed aquatic vegetation in the tidal freshwater Potomac River. Estuaries 20:86–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toft JD, Simenstad CA, Cordell JR, Grimaldo LF (2003) The effects of introduced water hyacinth on habitat structure, invertebrate assemblages, and fish diets. Estuaries 26:746–758

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (1999) Planning and management of lakes and reservoirs: an integrated approach to eutrophication. Technical Publication Series 11, Shiga, Japan

  • Van den Berg MS, Coops H, Noordhuis R, van Schie J, Simons J (1997) Macroinvertebrate communities in relation to submerged vegetation in two Chara dominated lakes. Hydrobiologia 342/343:143–150

    Google Scholar 

  • van Donk E, van de Bund WJ (2002) Impact of submerged macrophytes including charophytes on phyto- and zooplankton communities: allelopathy versus other mechanisms. Aquat Botany 72:261–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Landuyt W, Vanhecke L, Hoste I (2006) Rode Lijst van de vaatplanten van Vlaanderen en het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest. In: Van Landuyt W (ed) Atlas van de Flora van Vlaanderen en het Brussels Gewest. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek en Nationale Plantentuin van België, Brussel

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanparys V, Meerts P, Jacquemart A (2008) Plant-pollinator interactions: comparison between an invasive and a native congeneric species. Acta Oecol 34:361–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verlaque R, Aboucaya A, Fridlender A (2002) Invasive alien flora of France: ecology, life-forms and polyploidy. Bot Helv 112:121–136

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcove DS, Rothstein D, Dubow J, Phillips A, Losos E (1998) Quantifying threats to imperiled species in the United States. Bioscience 48:607–615

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

First, we like to thank the following persons for field assistance: Linde Besard, Joëlle De Weerdt and Nele Vanbekbergen. We also thank Bianca Veraart (province of Antwerp) and the nature managers (Natuurpunt) for providing the locations of invaded ponds within the nature reserves. The following landowners generously allowed us to conduct research on their property: M. Farvaque, S. Rogiers, F. and C. De Lathauwer-De Weirdt, W. Orban and J. Henderickx. We thank Jamie Scott for English correction of the manuscript, and the Editor and two anonymous referees for useful comments on the manuscript. This paper is part of the project ‘ALIEN IMPACT’ financed by the Belgian Science Policy, contract number SD/BD/01A and by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (OZR 1946 BOF).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Biology and Nature Management, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Iris Stiers & Ludwig Triest

  2. Ecologie et Systématique Animales, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    Nicolas Crohain & Guy Josens

Authors
  1. Iris Stiers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nicolas Crohain
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guy Josens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ludwig Triest
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Iris Stiers.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM1 (PDF 146 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stiers, I., Crohain, N., Josens, G. et al. Impact of three aquatic invasive species on native plants and macroinvertebrates in temperate ponds. Biol Invasions 13, 2715–2726 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-9942-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-011-9942-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation