Complete Data for: Desiccation tolerance of the invasive alga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa) as an indicator of overland spread risk

Abstract

The ability of invasive macrophytes to survive out of water, i.e., their desiccation tolerance, is an important indicator of capacity for spread to new waterbodies through overland transport. Invasion by the alga starry stonewort (Nitellopsis obtusa [Desv. in Loisel.] J. Groves; Characeae) in North America is likely driven via overland transport, but little is known regarding its ability to remain viable out of water. We conducted laboratory and outdoor experiments to evaluate desiccation tolerance of N. obtusa propagules, including single stem fragments, small and large clumps of fragments, and bulbils (asexual reproductive structures). Propagules were removed from water after 15 min to 5 d to identify desiccation thresholds. The data from these experiments are documented and available here for public availability and use.