Abstract
Eco-physiological characteristics of Hydrocharis dubia (Blume) Backer in the U Minh Thuong National Park (UMTNP) were surveyed from April 2022 to May 2023 to assess its invasive potential risk. Thirty-six four-square-meter plots (4m x 1m) were established along the canals in the core zone to determine the coverage of H. dubia and other hydrophytes, which were used to calculate the Importance Value Index (IVI%) and Shannon-Wiener index (H’). PSII Maximum quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm), Performance Index (PIabs), and Chlorophyll concentration (Chl) in leaves were measured to assess photosynthetic efficiency. The IVI indices showed that Pistia stratiotes L. and H. dubia were the most and second dominant species in the hydrophytic plant community, respectively. However, the photosynthetic activity of H. dubia was significantly higher than that of P. stratiotes. The Fv/Fm (0.830-0.842) of H. dubia were stable during the study period. The higher value of PIabs in the wet season (2.293 ± 0.191) compared to the dry season (1.402 ± 0.105) indicated that H. dubia’s growth was favored in this period. The eco-physiological characteristics of H. dubia claim its high photosynthetic activity, which can be considered an early warning of the species’ spread in the UMTNP, although it is currently suppressed by P. stratiotes.
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