Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
http://www.alb.periodikos.com.br/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X7225
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Review Article

Endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the success of stem fragments of aquatic macrophytes

Fatores endógenos e exógenos que influenciam o sucesso de fragmentos caulinares de macrófitas aquáticas

Sidinei Magela Thomaz

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Abstract

Aim: Many macrophyte species rely on stem fragments as their primary or complementary means of asexual reproduction. This systematic review synthesizes the key endogenous and exogenous factors that influence the success of these fragments, evaluated by their potential for colonization, regeneration, and the establishment of new plants.

Methods: Systematic review using the Web of Science and Scopus databases on 2 January 2025. This systematic review was complemented with additional sources identified through cross-referencing and manual searches.

Results: Macrophyte growth from stem fragments has been documented in 157 investigations (110 studies investigated the determinants of fragment performance) and 76 macrophyte species. Endogenous factors most frequently explored include the presence of nodes, fragment size, and stem position on the parent plant. Among the exogenous factors, desiccation, nutrient availability, and light are the most commonly investigated abiotic influences, while competition, herbivory and facilitation are important biotic interactions affecting fragment performance. Climate change (alterations in temperature, CO2 and precipitation) and eutrophication potentially drive shifts in macrophyte communities by impacting the success of asexual reproduction through stem fragments. Identified gaps include how the parent plant, grown in different conditions, influences fragment performance, a geographical bias toward economically important species in temperate regions, and insufficient integration of field and experimental research.

Conclusions: This review highlights that environmental abiotic factors and biotic interactions, typically studied for their effects on adult macrophytes, also play a crucial role in macrophytes establishment during the early life stages by influencing their asexual reproduction success via stem fragments. Recognizing the factors governing stem fragment reproductive success is vital for understanding macrophyte species distributions, and this knowledge should be incorporated into macrophyte metacommunity models.

Keywords

aquatic plants; macrophyte asexual reproduction; invasive species; stem macrophyte colonization; stem macrophyte establishment

Resumo

Objetivo: Muitas espécies de macrófitas dependem de fragmentos de caule como meio principal ou complementar de reprodução assexuada. Esta revisão sistemática sintetiza os principais fatores endógenos e exógenos que influenciam o sucesso desses fragmentos, avaliado por seu potencial de colonização, regeneração e estabelecimento de novas plantas.

Métodos: Revisão bibliográfica usando as plataformas Web of Science e Scopus em 2 de janeiro de 2025. Esta revisão sistemática foi complementada com fontes adicionais identificadas através de revisões cruzadas e buscas manuais.

Resultados: O crescimento de macrófitas a partir de fragmentos de caule foi documentado em 157 investigações (110 estudos investigaram os determinantes do desempenho dos fragmentos) e 76 espécies de macrófitas. Entre os fatores endógenos mais frequentemente explorados estão a presença de nós, o tamanho do fragmento e a posição do caule na planta-mãe. Entre os fatores exógenos, a dessecação, a disponibilidade de nutrientes e a luz são as influências abióticas mais investigadas, enquanto a competição, herbivoria e facilitação constituem interações bióticas importantes que afetam o desempenho dos fragmentos. As mudanças climáticas (alterações na temperatura, CO2 e precipitação) e a eutrofização podem impulsionar mudanças nas comunidades de macrófitas ao impactar o sucesso da reprodução assexuada por fragmentos caulinares. As lacunas identificadas incluem como a planta-mãe, cultivada em diferentes condições, influencia o desempenho dos fragmentos; um viés geográfico voltado para espécies economicamente importantes estudadas em regiões temperadas; e a insuficiente integração entre pesquisas de campo e experimentais.

Conclusões: Esta revisão destaca que fatores ambientais abióticos e interações bióticas, tipicamente estudados por seus efeitos sobre macrófitas adultas, também desempenham um papel crucial no estabelecimento de macrófitas nos estágios iniciais de vida, ao influenciarem o sucesso da reprodução assexuada via fragmentos caulinares. Reconhecer os fatores que determinam o sucesso reprodutivo desses fragmentos é fundamental para compreender a distribuição das espécies de macrófitas e esse conhecimento deveria ser considerado em modelos de metacomunidades de macrófitas.

Palavras-chave

plantas aquáticas; reprodução asexual de macrófitas; espécies invasoras; colonização de macrófitas por caules; estabelecimento de macrófitas por caulesA

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Submitted date:
03/10/2025

Accepted date:
12/03/2026

Publication date:
20/05/2026

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