Effects of the invasion of honey locust (Gleditsia triacanthos L.) on macrophytes and algae of Pampean streams (Argentina)

VILCHES, CAROLINA; TORREMORELL, ANA; RODRIGUEZ CASTRO, MA. CAROLINA; GIORGI, ADONIS

WETLANDS

SPRINGER

Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2019

0277-5212

Invasion by Gleditsia triacanthos L. (honey locust) along the banks of Pampean streams and rivers appears to induce profound changes in species richness, macrophyte cover, and producer biomass. Seasonal effects of the invasion on macrophytes cover and biomass of seston, periphyton, and benthos were studied at three low order streams from the Pampas region (name them here), in sections with and without invasion of honey locust. We hypothesized that light reduction by honey locusts reduces macrophyte coverage and algal biomass, thereby modifying the structure of the stream communities. Incident light and nutrient concentrations showed differences between invaded and not invaded reaches.Stream sections with tree canopy showed a negative correlation with the percentage of macrophyte cover (R=-0.41, p