EFFECT OF LIGHT ON DOM PRODUCTION OF NATIVE AND EXOTIC MACROPHYTE SPECIES IN PATAGONIA

CUASSOLO FLORENCIA

VALDIVIA

Congreso; I CONGRESO IBEROAMERICANO DE LIMNOLOGIA; 2016

Effect oflight on DOM production of native and exotic macrophyte species in Patagonia Biological invasions are one of the main drivers ofchanges in ecological features in aquatic environments. In this study, wecompared the effect of different light conditions (UVR+, UVR- and darkness) ondissolved organic matter (DOM) production from two common Patagonian wetland plants,one native (Eleocharispachycarpa) and one invasive species (Potentilla anserina). Our resultsindicated that DOM produced by the exotic species showed lower photoreactivity,had more colour, and molecular size was higher than that produced by the nativeE. pachycarpa. Aditionally the DOM releaseby P. anserina presented higher DOCconcentration, while E. pachycarparelease a DOM more rich in nutrients, nitrogen and phosphorus. When leachates ofboth macrophytes were exposed to UVR, DOM release differed: P. anserina releasedsignificantly higher amount of DOM. Invasions by macrophytes as P. anserina may produce changes in thestoichiometric balance and ecological relationships that could modify thecharacteristics of aquatic environment.