Submerged aquatic vegetation, topography and flow characteristics in the upper, tidal Hudson River: Progress toward a predictive habitat model

•Multinomial logistic regression model mapped SAV habitat with roughly 90% accuracy.•The model suggests equal physical control over species-specific SAV distribution.•Model provides evidence for a spatial refuge for native species from invasive species. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) plays a cri...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquatic botany 2017-09, Vol.142, p.53-60
Main Authors: Tinoco, Amanda I., Furman, Bradley T., Darnell, Kelly M., Peterson, Bradley J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aquatic ecology
Aquatic habitats
Aquatic plants
Biogeochemistry
Composition
Computational fluid dynamics
Dispersal
Distribution
Distribution patterns
Disturbance
Dynamics
Ecosystem disturbance
Estuaries
Estuarine dynamics
Estuarine environments
Estuary
Flow characteristics
Fluid flow
Fluid mechanics
Habitats
Hydrodynamic
Hydrodynamics
Indigenous species
Interactions
Invasive species
Leaves
Niches
Nonnative species
Primary production
Rivers
Sediment
Sediment chemistry
Sediment dynamics
Sediments
Slope
Spatial distribution
Tidal rivers
Tolerances
Tolerances (dimensional)
Topography
Topography (geology)
Trapa natans
Underwater
Vallisneria americana
Vegetation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:•Multinomial logistic regression model mapped SAV habitat with roughly 90% accuracy.•The model suggests equal physical control over species-specific SAV distribution.•Model provides evidence for a spatial refuge for native species from invasive species. Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) plays a critical role in biogeochemical cycling, primary productivity, sediment dynamics and current flow within the systems they inhabit. SAV communities in the Upper Hudson River Estuary are comprised of species assemblages dominated by two very morphologically distinct species: the native Vallisneria americana, which has wide-strap shaped leaves that are completely submerged underwater, and the invasive Trapa natans, which produces leaf rosettes that float at the water’s surface. Using characteristics of modeled tidal/riverine flow, we examined the distribution and composition of the predominant SAV in the estuary. SAV habitat space was, on average, well described by depth and flow. From a hydrodynamic standpoint however, the two species occupied very similar niche spaces. Species-specific distribution patterns and co-occurrence rates did not appear to be strongly controlled by physical tolerances of topography or flow. Other ecological drivers such as disturbance regimes, dispersal strategies, plant-animal interactions, and sediment chemistry and composition might explain distribution patterns and T. natans expansion more accurately, rather than hydrodynamics alone. Sixty years after reaching the Hudson River Estuary, T. natans appears unable to fully displace V. americana, despite significant overlap in habitat space and spatial distribution. Future management of the exotic T. natans should consider its role as an ecosystem engineer, adding to overall habitat diversity, rather than the current focus on its perceived invasibilty.
ISSN:0304-3770
1879-1522
DOI:10.1016/j.aquabot.2017.06.006