Removing invasive stream macrofauna shifts non-target invertebrate mesofauna through facilitation

Positive interactions among non-native species can drive invasional meltdowns to the detriment of native biota. Here, we assessed whether targeted control of aquatic invasive species (AIS) can benefit native species by eliminating synergies among invaders. We did so by monitoring changes in the abundance of native and non-native benthic invertebrates following the targeted removal of non-native fish and crustaceans in 10 streams on the island of Oʻahu (Hawaiʻi, USA). Benthic invertebrate sampling was conducted in paired control reaches and removal reaches in each stream immediately following removals, one month following removals, and then at two to three-month intervals for 16 months. Temporal variation in the abundance, composition, and diversity of the native and non-native invertebrates was compared among streams and between treatment reaches using multivariate data visualization and mixed effects models. We observed both seasonal shifts in overall community composition and treatmen..., , # Removing invasive stream macrofauna shifts non-target invertebrate mesofauna through facilitation

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cgm](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.stqjq2cgm)

## Description of the data and file structure

## *Study sites*

Benthic invertebrate sampling was conducted in 10 of 12 watersheds on Oʻahu (Hawaiʻi, USA) (Fig. 2), where aquatic invasive species (AIS) removals were conducted by Moody et al. (2021). The study sites were selected to capture representative variation in hydrology, land cover, and AIS density across the island. As described in Moody et al. (2021), each removal site consisted of 350m of stream divided into five sections: a 100m upstream control, a 25m buffer, a 100m removal reach, a 25m buffer, and a 100m downstream control. Locations were chosen in part to incorporate natural dispersal obstacles (e.g., plunges, waterfalls) into the buffer zones, and the reach lengths were chosen to capture habitat variability typical of Hawaiian streams and to ...,