Long-Term Monitoring of Arundo donax L. Range in Albufera Wetland (Spain): Management Challenges and Policy Implications

Arundo donax L. (common reed), a highly invasive species in Mediterranean wetlands such as the Albufera Natural Park, poses significant ecological and management challenges. Using Landsat-5 and Sentinel-2 NDVI data, this study quantified changes in its coverage between 1996 and 2024. The results reveal a significant expansion, showing a decreasing trend (91.4 ha in 1996 to 62.5 ha in 2011; −31.6%) followed by a clear rebound (83.5 ha in 2024; +33.6%), especially in the southern shrublands of the lagoon. A Mann–Kendall analysis confirmed a significant decreasing trend during 1996–2011 and an increasing trend during 2011–2024 (p < 0.05). The results indicate that previous control efforts reduced A. donax cover but that the species has recolonised after 2011, likely due to discontinuous management. These dynamics emphasise that long-term monitoring is required. Management strategies must focus on targeting the rhizome and implementing long-term monitoring programmes spanning three to five years. The utilisation of remote sensing methodologies proved effective in the monitoring of coverage, thereby facilitating the development of remediation strategies. It is imperative that actions accord primacy to critical areas such as the south and canals, complemented by native restoration and enhanced inter-administrative coordination, with the communication of benefits such as flood risk reduction. A balanced approach is required that considers ecological objectives, risks, and socio-political aspects.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Environments

• Publication date

  2025-11-11

• Fields of study

  Not labeled

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.3390/environments12110432
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Monitoring the Extraordinary Ephemeral Emergence of Myriophyllum spicatum L. in the Coastal Lagoon Albufera of Valencia (Spain) and Assessing the Impact of Environmental Variables Using a Remote Sensing Approach

  2024cited by this paper
• Climatic Influence on the Carotenoids Concentration in a Mediterranean Coastal Lagoon Through Remote Sensing

  2024cited by this paper
• Monographs on invasive plants in Europe N° 4: Arundo donax L.

  2021cited by this paper
• Innovative use of giant reed and cork residues for panels of buildings in Mediterranean area

  2019cited by this paper
• Short-Term Responses of Aquatic and Terrestrial Biodiversity to Riparian Restoration Measures Designed to Control the Invasive Arundo donax L.

  2019cited by this paper
• Construction and design requirements of green buildings’ roofs in Saudi Arabia depending on thermal conductivity principle

  2018cited by this paper
• ANALYSIS FOR THERMAL BEHAVIOR AND ENERGY SAVINGS OF A SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE WITH DIFFERENT INSULATION STRATEGIES IN A HOT SEMI-ARID CLIMATE

  2017cited by this paper
• Concrete using agro-waste as fine aggregate for sustainable built environment – A review

  2016cited by this paper
• Plant aggregates and fibers in earth construction materials: A review

  2016cited by this paper
• Acoustic characterization of natural fibers for sound absorption applications

  2015cited by this paper
• Nutrient enrichment and soil conditions drive productivity in the large-statured invasive grass Arundo donax

  2014cited by this paper
• Increase of the flexural strength of construction elements made with plaster (calcium sulfate dihydrate) and common reed (Arundo donax L.)

  2014cited by this paper
• A novel use of undesirable wild giant reed biomass to replace aggregate in concrete

  2014cited by this paper
• Properties of a lightweight cement composite with an ecological organic filler

  2014cited by this paper
• Spectral discrimination of giant reed (Arundo donax L.): A seasonal study in riparian areas

  2013cited by this paper
• The Utilisation of Reed ( Phragmites Australis ): A Review

  2013cited by this paper
• The Bioeconomy in Europe: An Overview

  2013cited by this paper
• Self-organised patchiness and scale-dependent bio-geomorphic feedbacks in aquatic river vegetation

  2012cited by this paper
• Flow and Transport in Regions with Aquatic Vegetation

  2012cited by this paper
• Trade-off between drag reduction and light interception of macrophytes: comparing five aquatic plants with contrasting morphology

  2011cited by this paper
• Developing standard approaches for recording and assessing river hydromorphology: the role of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN)

  2010cited by this paper
• Global indicators of biological invasion: species numbers, biodiversity impact and policy responses

  2010cited by this paper
• Genetics and Reproduction of Common (Phragmites australis) and Giant Reed (Arundo donax)

  2010cited by this paper
• Ecology and Impacts of the Large-Statured Invasive Grasses Arundo donax and Phragmites australis in North America

  2010cited by this paper
• Relation between resistance characteristics due to aquatic weed growth and the hydraulic capacity of the river Aa

  2009cited by this paper
• The Roles Of Floods And Bulldozers In the Break-Up and Dispersal Of Arundo donax (Giant Reed)

  2008cited by this paper
• Incorporating invasive alien species into ecological assessment in the context of the Water Framework Directive.

  2008cited by this paper
• Productivity of reed (Phragmites australis Trin. ex Steud.) in continental-arid NW China in relation to soil, groundwater, and land-use

  2007cited by this paper
• Altered stream-flow regimes and invasive plant species : the Tamarix case

  2007cited by this paper
• Fish‐based methods for assessing European running waters: a synthesis

  2007cited by this paper
• Riparian vegetation: degradation, alien plant invasions, and restoration prospects

  2007cited by this paper
• THE IMPORTANCE OF LAYERING IN THE RAPID SPREAD OF ARUNDO DONAX (GIANT REED)

  2006cited by this paper
• Past, present and future of la Albufera of Valencia Natural Park

  2006cited by this paper
• ARE INVASIVE SPECIES THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGERS OF CHANGE IN DEGRADED ECOSYSTEMS

  2005cited by this paper
• Zoning grassland protection area using remote sensing and cellular automata modeling—A case study in Xilingol steppe grassland in northern China

  2005cited by this paper
• Causes and Consequences of Invasive Plants in Wetlands: Opportunities, Opportunists, and Outcomes

  2004cited by this paper
• Reed cutting affects arthropod communities, potentially reducing food for passerine birds

  2004cited by this paper
• Effect of winter cutting on the passerine breeding assemblage in French Mediterranean reedbeds

  2002cited by this paper
• Managing Critical Transition Zones

  2001cited by this paper
• The interaction between water movement, sediment dynamics and submersed macrophytes

  2001cited by this paper
• Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities

  2000cited by this paper
• Vulnerability of riparian zones to invasion by exotic vascular plants

  2000cited by this paper
• A Neural Network Method for Mixture Estimation for Vegetation Mapping

  1999cited by this paper
• A review of the emission of VOCs from polymeric materials used in buildings

  1998cited by this paper
• Defining leaf area index for non‐flat leaves

  1992cited by this paper
• The effects of conservation management of reed beds. II. The flora and litter disappearance

  1992cited by this paper
• A soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI)

  1988cited by this paper
• Red and photographic infrared linear combinations for monitoring vegetation

  1979cited by this paper

• No citing papers are available for this paper.