Reproductive ecology of Potamogeton pectinatus L. (= Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Börner) in relation to its spread and abundance in freshwater ecosystems of the Kashmir Valley, India Journal Paper
- Author
- AIJAZ HASSAN GANIE, ZAFAR A. RESHI, B. A. WAFAI
- Year
- 2016
- Journal / Source
- Tropical Ecology
- Publisher / Organisation
- International Society for Tropical Ecology
- Volume
- 57
- Number
- 4
- Pages
- 787-803
- ISBN / ISSN
- 0564-3295
- Species
- Stuckenia pectinata, Potamogeton pectinata, fennel-leaved pondweed, sago pondweed
- Keywords
- Ecological concerns; management; reproductive strategies, weed
- Summary
- Indian article about an "At Risk – Naturally Uncommon" native species in NZ The introduction and spread of various weed species in aquatic ecosystems is one of the major contemporary ecological concerns. Control and management of these weed species warrant detailed studies on reproductive ecology that aid in identification of key pathways, processes and factors that will help in devising management strategies. It is in this context that studies of the reproductive ecology of Potamogeton pectinatus L. (= Stuckenia pectinata (L.) Börner) were undertaken, with emphasis on identifying the modes of reproductive strategies that the species employs to achieve widespread occurrence in Kashmir Himalayan freshwater ecosystems. The species is a troublesome weed in water bodies, irrigational channels and drinking water reservoirs of Kashmir Himalaya. The species inhabits water bodies with different flow conditions. Detailed investigations revealed that the species employs several clonal (tubers, rhizomes, nodal plantlets) and sexual (fruits) modes of reproduction. Sexual fruits, tubers and nodal plantlets are the most important reproductive propagules in standingwater habitats, while in running-water habitats propagation is through tubers and rhizomes. In addition, plant fragments aid in the spread of this species. Thus, a highly flexible reproductive strategy is one of the key factors that contribute to the rapid spread of the species across a wide range of habitats in Kashmir Himalaya.