Factors affecting the global distribution of Hydrilla verticillata (L. fil.) Royle: A review. (8th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Patrick, Anton E. S.; Florentine, Singarayer
• Is Part Of: Weed research. Volume 61:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 253
• Page End: 271
• Publication Date: 2021-05-08
• Subjects: adaptive plasticity -- anthropogenic factors -- changing distribution -- climate change -- Hydrilla verticillata; Weeds -- Control -- Periodicals; Herbicides -- Periodicals; 632.5
• DOI: 10.1111/wre.12478
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0043-1737

Abstract

Abstract: Hydrilla verticillata (Hydrocharitaceae) is a submerged freshwater flowering plant within the monotypic genus. Over the geological periods, fossils of this family and genus have shown distinct diversifications between warm and cool fluctuations with more adaptations occurring in warmer periods and suppressions during severely cold paleoclimate changes. Recently, H. verticillata has shown a wide range of adaptive plasticity, allowing successful proliferation into non‐native regions, whilst also undergoing unexplained disappearance from its native localities, and this phenomenon has stimulated this inquiry. Against this somewhat complex background, particular interest for this investigation has been focussed on an understanding of which aspects of climate change have contributed towards global adaptations and distribution patterns of H . verticillata . Whilst it is recognised that some of these changes are natural, other aggravating impacts are due to anthropogenic influences. Identifying the appropriate combinations of these climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, photoperiod), in concert with environmental (water level, CO2, salinity, eutrophication), geographical (altitude, latitude) and other factors (UV‐B) are necessary precursors for instituting appropriate management strategies. In this respect, control measures are needed in non‐native regions and restoration of this plant in native habitats are essential for its ecologically balanced global distribution.