Freshwater shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata) as a nature-based restoration tool for macrophyte recovery and improved water quality in eutrophic ponds

Abstract

Globally, eutrophication poses a serious threat to freshwater ecosystems, disrupting ecological balance and biodiversity. Effective restoration requires practical, sustainable, and ecosystem-based methods to reestablish healthy aquatic systems. The presence of submerged macrophytes in controlling algal blooms is crucial; however, research on ecological treatment approaches to promote their growth remains limited. Here, we investigated the ecological restoration potential of Neocaridina denticulata, a native freshwater shrimp, in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems dominated by filamentous algae. We integrated feeding trials, controlled microcosm experiments, and long-term field evaluations. The feeding experiments demonstrated that shrimp consume diverse filamentous algae, periphyton, and detritus, directly contributing to biomass reduction. When introduced into microcosms, shrimps rapidly reduced filamentous algal coverage, which promoted the recovery of submerged macrophytes and enhanced water clarity. Field studies further validated these outcomes, highlighting an 11-fold increase in macrophyte abundance and significant improvement in water quality following shrimp introduction. Importantly, shrimp populations became self-sustaining under natural conditions, indicating long-term viability. Although their introduction slightly altered microbial interaction networks, overall microbial community stability was maintained, reflecting ecological resilience. These results indicate that N. denticulata represents an effective, nature-based restoration tool, simultaneously supporting biodiversity recovery, ecosystem service restoration, and sustainable water quality management in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems.