Variable Effects on Benthic Community From Diking to Eradicate Invasive Plants in the Yangtze Estuary Salt Marsh

The removal of invasive plants is a global concern, and ecological restoration methods have been major research topic in recent years. In the estuarine salt marsh Yangtze River, dikes are typically used projects to eradicate plant Spartina alterniflora . We explored ways optimizing dike construction providing an effective basis for wetland control protection biodiversity analyzed effects on macrobenthos fully partially dikes. measurement quantitative change diversity species composition was carried out project area before (2013) after (2016) construction. Results showed that number average density decreased significantly diked enclosed but increased semi-enclosed area. Outside area, all site samples richness This study indicated negatively affected by inside However, when tidewater canals were preserved maintain connection between outside areas, there positive effect suggest while diking gates opened regularly water nutrient connectedness dike. mostly mollusks polychaetes, which indispensable food sources birds fish. provides valid evidence management macrobenthos.