How invasive macrophytes affect macroinvertebrate assemblages and sampling efficiency: Results from a multinational survey

Macrophytes play an important role in the functioning and structuring of aquatic environments but rapid mass development invasive macrophytes is causing global concerns. Macroinvertebrate richness abundance are strongly influenced by as offer habitats food resources, increase structural heterogeneity, provide refuges. Meanwhile, presence affects efficiency standard sampling methods for macroinvertebrates. These effects not well studied leading to biased management decisions. To fill this knowledge gap, we analysed macroinvertebrate communities from four lakes countries Europe Africa with macrophytes. We compared sediment samples a plant-free part lake those sweep taken within macrophyte stands. showed that taxa density were higher beneath stands habitats. Unique found each sample type. Sampling method varies greatly across especially when replication low. The taxonomic macroinvertebrates often underestimated open water sections same number samples. reach high coverage, necessary Our findings call allows comparable outside Such will be foundation future research systems.