Aquatic macrophytes in Amazon: review, knowledge and gaps

Macrófitas aquáticas na Amazônia: revisão, conhecimento e lacunas

Abstract:

Aim  The Amazon region presents peculiarities in its hydrology and vegetation, which are essential for climate balance. For this reason, the Amazon requires better sampling of its biodiversity, thus increasing knowledge of the organisms present in this area. In this study, through a systematic review, we evaluated to assess the advances in ecological theories research and we verified the stages of macrophyte biodiversity research in the Amazon.

Methods  We used databases available on Web of Science and Scopus. The keywords used for the search were: amazon, macrophytes, and aquatic plant. The designated research period was between 1970 and 2022. The processed data were grouped into specific types according to the object of study.

Results  Our results showed that the majority of studies addressed the influence of aquatic macrophytes on aquatic organisms (e.g., fish, insects, plankton, and manatees), as well as their influence on the abiotic characteristics of aquatic environments in the Amazon forest. Studies mostly focused on the relationship between macrophytes and other organisms or environmental variables.

Conclusions  We identified research gaps in ecological and biological invasion studies with macrophytes in the Amazon and highlight the importance of international cooperation and scientific production for ecosystem conservation.

Keywords:
aquatic plants; systematic review; neotropical region; bibliometrix; aquatic system

Graphical Abstract