HR: 10:45h
AN: NB32D-02    [Abstracts]
TI: Response of Submersed Macrophyte Communities to Selective Removal in Eurasian Watermilfoil Dominated Systems
AU: * Newman, R R
EM: RNewman@umn.edu
AF: Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108 United States
AB: Invasive species such are thought to dominate communities through competitive superiority. When invasive species are controlled, revegetation by native plants is desired, but often difficult. The response of submersed macrophytes communities to selective removal of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and native plants was investigated in three lakes: a lake with high water clarity and few herbivores, a lake with poor clarity and few herbivores, and a clear lake with a high density of milfoil herbivores. At each lake, 16 to 20 2mX2m plots were identified and delineated with a pvc frame on the bottom and each plot was assigned to one of 4 treatments in a randomized block design. Treatments were: remove all plants, remove Eurasian watermilfoil, remove all non-milfoil plants or remove no plants. Prior to treatment duplicate biomass samples were collected from each plot. Visual estimates of plant cover were made every 2-4 weeks and biomass samples were collected at the end of the summer. Plots were resampled similarly in the year following the manipulation. The treatments were successful at manipulating the plant community in each lake, but overall did not reveal dramatic shifts or competitive interactions. Within one year the communities reverted to their premanipulation state.
DE: 1845 Limnology
DE: 1851 Plant ecology
SC: North American Benthological Society [NB]
MN: 2005 Joint Assembly