Biological Invasions (2012) 14, 1881-1893

Rachel E. McNeish, M. Eric Benbow and Ryan W. McEwan (2012)
Riparian forest invasion by a terrestrial shrub (Lonicera maackii) impacts aquatic biota and organic matter processing in headwater streams
Biological Invasions 14 (9), 1881-1893
Abstract: Lonicera maackii, a highly invasive species of riparian habitats, has the potential to substantially alter aquatic ecosystems. We investigated effects of this terrestrial invader on aquatic biota and ecosystem processes in three 3rd order headwater streams in southwestern Ohio. We assessed (1) in situ leaf breakdown and (2) aquatic macroinvertebrate colonization of leaf packs containing senesced foliage from either a) invasive (L. maackii), b) native (Fraxinus spp. and Platanus occidentalis), and c) a native-invasive species mix. Leaf breakdown rates and macroinvertebrate density, richness, and functional feeding group (FFG) relative abundances were measured for leaf packs deployed in the autumn of 2009. Invasive leaf breakdown rates were up to 4× faster than native leaves (F = 20.46, df = 2, P < 0.001), resulting in significantly less organic matter remaining compared to the other leaf pack types throughout the study (Friedman's test = 8.00, P < 0.05). The gathering-collector FFG, represented by Chironomidae and Hydropsychidae, dominated the macroinvertebrate community in the invasive and mixed species leaf packs (F = 73, df = 4, P < 0.01) in all streams but were only dominant in native packs in one stream (F = 41.91, df = 4, P < 0.05). In summary, L. maackii leaf breakdown was significantly faster than native leaves in headwater streams, and colonization of macroinvertebrates was variable depending on leaf pack species composition. These results support the hypothesis that L. maackii can have direct and significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems by influencing organic matter availability and macroinvertebrate community dynamics.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Ryan W. McEwan

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Lonicera maackii (weed)		U.S.A. (NE)