Invasive snails alter multiple ecosystem functions in subtropical wetlands.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Invasive Species Biology
• Wetland Science

Background:

• Invasive species pose a significant global threat to ecosystem functioning.
• Apple snails (Pomacea spp.) are invasive semi-aquatic freshwater species with severe ecological and economic impacts on agricultural and natural wetlands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impacts of Pomacea maculata on wetland vegetation, water, and soil processes.
• To assess how these impacts vary across wetlands with different management intensities.

Main Methods:

• Field mesocosm experiment conducted in subtropical wetlands in Florida, USA.
• Monitoring of vegetation biomass, cover, water nutrients, and soil properties.
• Comparison of effects across two distinct wetland management intensities.

Main Results:

• Invasive snails significantly decreased aboveground biomass and vegetation cover.
• Snails preferentially fed on certain wetland plant species.
• Increased water nutrients (total carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, dissolved solids) were observed, with minimal soil impacts.
• Algal biomass responses diverged across wetland types.

Conclusions:

• Pomacea maculata invasion has widespread direct and indirect consequences on wetland plant-water-soil systems.
• Invasive snails alter plant assemblages and nutrient cycling, potentially disrupting vital wetland services.
• Differential impacts across management intensities highlight the need for tailored conservation and mitigation strategies for invasive apple snails.