Impacts of willows on aquatic invertebrate communities

Abstract

Exotic willows (Salix spp.) have invaded the riparian zones of many Australian streams, but the impact of willows and their removal on aquatic invertebrate communities are poorly understood. In the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia, willows have aggressively invaded riparian zones of many freshwater streams, often affect stream morphology and erosion, leading to water quality problems and suppress growth of native vegetation.