The influence of water level and salinity on plant assemblages of a seasonally flooded Mediterranean wetland

Watt, Susan; García‐Berthou, Emili; Vilar, Lluís

doi:10.1007/s11258-006-9167-7

Cited by 21 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 33 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…At salinities between 1 and 5 g/L, the plant niche changes and species richness and abundance of aquatic plants decreases (James & Hart, 1993;Brock et al, 2005;James et al, 2009;Smith et al, 2009). Various studies have focused on the impact of increased salinity on the growth of freshwater macrophytes (Haller et al, 1974;Twilley & Barko, 1990;Warwick & Bailey, 1997;Macek & Rejmankova, 2007), on their distribution (Bertness et al, 1992;Sim et al, 2006;Tripathi et al, 2007;Watt et al, 2007;Goodman et al, 2010) and on their physiological responses to this stress (Rout & Shaw, 2001;Abraham, 2010). Canadian waterweed (Elodea canadensis), for example, reduces its net photosynthesis production at such low levels of salt as 100 mg chloride per litre (Zimmermann-Timm, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of two invasive macrophyte species to salt

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

International audienceAquatic ecosystems are particularly sensitive to the introduction of species due to human activities. Increasing salinity in freshwaters due to sea intrusion or to human activities (road salt, industry, etc.) is known to have a negative impact on aquatic organisms and could play a role in the dynamics of invaders. This study compares salt tolerance levels of two introduced aquatic plants Myriophyllum aquaticum (Velloso) Verdcourt and Ludwigia grandiflora (Michaux) Greuter and Burdet. Plants were collected in spring, summer and autumn 2010, and were exposed to a range of salt concentrations (1, 3 and 6 g/L). Plant growth was determined by measuring seven morphological traits and their photosynthetic activity. Increased salt levels induced a decline in growth and photosynthetic activity in L. grandiflora, while photosynthetic activity in M. aquaticum remained constant at all salt concentrations. The response of both species to salt varied according to the season. M. aquaticum allocated its energy to growth in autumn, whereas the growth of L. grandiflora remained constant whatever the season. Our results suggested that M. aquaticum stimulated root and leaf production at the end of summer, which conferred resistance to salt stress and allowed this species to become invasive by overcompensating for this stress. Conversely, L. grandiflora induced premature senescence and lost its leaves. In the context of worldwide salinisation of freshwaters, M. aquaticum could colonize brackish water and other water bodies, whereas L. grandiflora invasion could be limited

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of two invasive macrophyte species to salt

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Secondary or anthropogenically induced salinisation involves salt entering the system through agricultural run-off and fl ow regulation causing the accumulation of salt in the low land rivers and wetlands (Williams 1986). A signifi cant number of studies have shown that many freshwater ecosystems are becoming saline particularly in coastal and semi-arid regions (Nielsen et al 2007;Watt et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zooplankton community emerging from fresh and saline wetlands

Toruan

2012

Ecohydrology & Hydrobiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Water regimes are often the most important factor in determining the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of wetland plant communities (van der Valk, 2005;Watt et al, 2007;Raulings et al, 2010). Hydrology can regularly limit seed microsites which, in turn, influence germination, seedling recruitment, and seedling mortality (Froend and Van der Moezel, 1994;Keddy and Ellis, 1985).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%