Recolonization of cleared riverine macrophyte patches: importance of the border effect

• Published in: Journal of Vegetation Science
• Main Authors: Barrat‐Segretain, M.H., Amoros, C.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1996
• Subjects: Groenlandia
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3236455; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.2307%2F3236455; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2307/3236455

Abstract. Recolonization of two experimentally cleared 9 m 2 ‐patches by macrophytes in a former channel of the Rhône River, France, was investigated from May to July 1994. Two patterns of recolonization were recognized: (1) Groenlandia densa, Luronium natans and Potamogeton natans invaded the bare areas by propagation from the adjacent vegetation (border effect); (2) Potamogeton pusillus colonized the disturbed areas at random, apparently independently from the position of nearby clumps. An intermediate recolonization pattern was shown by Callitriche platycarpa, Elodea canadensis, Hippuris vulgaris, Ranunculus circinatus and Sparganium emersum. Species recolonization patterns and associated strategies were related to species traits, particularly vegetative and sexual reproduction.