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<p>Macrophytes play a fundamental role in structuring freshwater ecosystems, including the provision of habitat and refuge for other organisms such as zooplankton. Yet, the role of invasive macrophytes in shaping biological communities remains unclear. This study examines how three invasive macrophytes with different growth forms, namely<i>, Egeria densa</i> (submerged), <i>Ludwigia</i> spp. (emergent), and <i>Pistia stratiotes</i> (free-floating) affect zooplankton density and diversity using a mesocosm experiment. Each of the ten mesocosms was divided into three sections with plants and one with open water as control, while fish predators were added to half of the mesocosms. We sampled over four weeks, both during day and night time. Zooplankton assemblages differed considerably among the sections, with macrophyte sections all showing higher abundance and richness when compared to that of open water. The greatest density occurred in between the roots of the floating plant <i>P. stratiotes</i>. During the night, zooplankton migrated outside the macrophytes, and differences were smaller between the sections. The presence of fish had negligible effects on the community. These findings highlight the role of invasive macrophytes in shaping freshwater systems and give important insights into biodiversity management and conservation in invaded habitats.</p>

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Invasive macrophytes as refuge and habitat for zooplankton: insights from a mesocosm experiment

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月11日

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  • Benjamin Misteli,
  • Christophe Piscart,
  • Stéphanie Llopis,
  • Aijuan Liao,
  • Gabrielle Thiébaut,
  • Alexandrine Pannard

摘要

Macrophytes play a fundamental role in structuring freshwater ecosystems, including the provision of habitat and refuge for other organisms such as zooplankton. Yet, the role of invasive macrophytes in shaping biological communities remains unclear. This study examines how three invasive macrophytes with different growth forms, namely, Egeria densa (submerged), Ludwigia spp. (emergent), and Pistia stratiotes (free-floating) affect zooplankton density and diversity using a mesocosm experiment. Each of the ten mesocosms was divided into three sections with plants and one with open water as control, while fish predators were added to half of the mesocosms. We sampled over four weeks, both during day and night time. Zooplankton assemblages differed considerably among the sections, with macrophyte sections all showing higher abundance and richness when compared to that of open water. The greatest density occurred in between the roots of the floating plant P. stratiotes. During the night, zooplankton migrated outside the macrophytes, and differences were smaller between the sections. The presence of fish had negligible effects on the community. These findings highlight the role of invasive macrophytes in shaping freshwater systems and give important insights into biodiversity management and conservation in invaded habitats.