Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 11:15 AM
243

Effects of Invasive Saltcedar, Tamarix Spp., on Algal Colonization in a Desert Stream

Jane B. Moore and Sophia I. Passy. Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, 501 S. Nedderman, Arlington, TX 76019

Biological invasions are one of the primary threats to earth’s ecosystems, possibly second only to physical habitat destruction in terms of species lost.  Introduced as an ornamental and for erosion control in the early part of the 1900s, saltcedar escaped cultivation and has subsequently altered terrestrial ecosystems and replaced native flora along riparian corridors in the Southwestern United States.  The close association of riparian vegetation and aquatic ecosystem functioning indicates that presence of saltcedar can have a dramatic effect on algal communities in the streams and water sources where it has invaded.  In order to determine differential colonization in native versus invaded areas, substrates consisting of unglazed ceramic tiles and terra cotta pots diffusing nutrients were deployed in two reaches of a permanently flowing creek in the Trans Pecos region of Texas.  Substrates were sampled monthly over two years and algal colonizers in each area were identified and classified in groups.  Preliminary results indicate a higher rate of colonization in cyanobacteria, diatoms and green algae species in the saltcedar-infested stream reach.  Further identification an analysis should allow determination of species richness and species diversity in both sites and elucidate any relationship between colonization and infestation.

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