Non-native Minnows Threaten Quillwort Populations in High Mountain Shallow Lakes.

ABSTRACT: Submersed aquatic plants are a key component of shallow, clear water lakes contributing to primary production and water quality. High mountain lakes are naturally fishless although invasive trout and most recently minnows have been introduced causing a major impact on fauna richness. The Pyrenean high mountain range has preserved soft-water oligotrophic boreal isoetids in their southern limit of distribution but the recent fish introduction is a potential factor of stress that needs to be addressed. We here work under the hypothesis that due to contrasting ecological features, trout will not be heavily affecting quillwort populations while minnows will have a stronger effect on zooplankton and zoobenthos that will promote algal growth and reduce light availability for the underwater meadow

SUBMITTER: Gacia E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5874306 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature