Invasion history and distribution of the aquatic alien Elodea canadensis (Hydrocharitaceae) in Turkey

Abstract

Submerged macrophyte Elodea canadensis Michx. is a non-native species to Turkey where it was rst recorded in 1982. In this study, we aim to provide the current distribution of E. canadensis in Turkey with notes on its invasion history and ecology. We performed eld studies to measure the physical and chemical parameters of the invaded lakes. Our study is based on new eld works, herbarium specimen examination and literature survey. As a result of our ndings, E. canadensis has invaded 15 wetlands in eight water basins of Turkey. Eleven of the invaded wetlands, including the largest freshwater lake of Turkey have protection forms ranging from national parks, nature parks to nationally/locally protected areas. Type of the wetlands are also diverse, like drainage canals, ancient pools, karstic, crater, tectonic and alluvial set lakes with trophic status from oligotrophic to eutrophic. Physico-chemical parameters measured in seven invaded wetlands are as follow: Water temperature between 15.5-22.3°C, pH between 7.1-8.6, dissolved oxygen as 3.7-8,8 mg l-1, electrical conductivity as 230-610 µS cm-1, salinity between 0.1-0.29 ppt, and ammonium as 0.25-0.74 mg l-1. The altitude range of the colonized wetlands is between sea level and 2100 m a.s.l. Elodea canadensis forms single species stands in many sites, but we could totally record 22 accompanying macrophyte taxa in species rich habitats. Here we present the most comprehensive distribution and ecology data for E. canadensis in Turkey which could be used for further research and management to understand its future spread and effect on native vegetation.

Ecology of Elodea canadensis Michx. and Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John—Insights from National Water Monitoring in Croatia

“…A survey in Slovakia identified a total of 58 macrophyte species accompanying waterweeds, while the most frequent taxa in elodea-dominated relevés were Myriophyllum spicatum , Ceratophyllum demersum , Lemna minor , Potamogeton crispus and P. pectinatus [ 43 ], which is quite similar to our results. İkinci [ 8 ] reports the following most common co-occurring taxa for E. canadensis in Turkey— Ceratophyllum sp., Chara sp., Myriophyllum spicatum and Potamogeton natans . Kuhar et al [ 7 ] report Potamogeton spp.…”

“…In Europe, the most widespread alien aquatic plant family is Hydrocharitaceae , with Elodea canadensis being the most widespread and E. nuttallii being the fourth most widespread species [ 4 ]. Hence, waterweeds are some of the most researched aquatic freshwater invasive plants in Europe [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

“…Plants 2024, 13, 1624 2 of 16 Hence, waterweeds are some of the most researched aquatic freshwater invasive plants in Europe [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Biological invasions in the twenty-first century: a global risk

“…The distribution of invasive aquatic plants varies widely depending on the species' ability to adapt to new environments, the level of human activity in the area, and the local climate and geography (Chambers et al 2007). For example, Ikinci (2022) shows a detailed study of the macrophyte Elodea canadensis (Hydrocharitaceae) in Turkey providing the current distribution and measurements of the physical and chemical parameters of the invaded lakes. As a result, Ikinci (2022) may infer that the species was not particularly aggressive in Turkey, and one of the possible explanations includes the fact that some human-mediated introduction mechanisms, such as escape from botanic garden collections, aquarium trade, and growing the plant for scientific purposes and phytoremediation, were not as often in Turkey as they were in those European countries.…”

Plant Communities in Changing Environment

“…Moreover, the abandonment of traditional management also leads to grassland encroachment by trees and shrubs (Palaj and Kollár 2021;Sanjuán et al 2018;Valkó et al 2018) as well as the spread of non-native and invasive species (Hejda et al 2009;Crawford and Rudgers 2012;Delimat and Kiełtyk 2019;Axmanová et al 2021;Hejda et al 2021;Hegedüšová Vantarová et al 2023;Májeková et al 2023). Invasive species constitute one of the most significant threats to biodiversity and have an impact on many ecosystems worldwide (Keller et al 2011;Dawson and Schrama 2016;Pyšek et al 2020;Ikinci 2022;Kochjarová et al 2023;Shevera 2024).…”