Beyond the Hydro-Regime: Differential Regulation of Plant Functional Groups in Seasonal Ponds

Abstract

Plant community assembly can be influenced by many environmental factors. In seasonal wetlands, most studies focus on the considerable variation that occurs from the hydro-regime (patterns of inundation and desiccation). Other factors and their interactions also influence plants but are seldom studied, including nutrient and thatch levels. Furthermore, the responses of aquatic and terrestrial functional groups can provide important insights into patterns of cover and richness. The aim of this study was to evaluate how algae and plant functional groups (aquatic and terrestrial plants) respond to variation in hydro-regime (stable and unstable), nutrient addition (none and added), and thatch (none, native plants, and exotic plants) addition. We measured algal cover, total species richness, and the cover of the functional groups over two years. Algal cover increased with unstable hydroperiods and the addition of nutrients. Algae were also negatively associated with aquatic plant cover and positively associated with terrestrial plant cover. Aquatic plant cover increased with a stable hydro-regime and decreased with increased thatch. Terrestrial plant cover increased with an unstable hydro-regime and decreased with thatch addition. Thatch accumulation and excess nutrients can be linked to human activities, which directly and indirectly alter plant community composition. The interactions of these factors with the hydro-regime should be considered when evaluating a plant community’s response to changing environmental conditions. Overall, these results are necessary for the conservation and management of essential wetland functions and services.