An exotic rodent, Myocastor coypus (nutria), is responsible for a drastic reduction in the area covered by Sagittaria latifolia, S. platyphylla, Alternathera philoxeroides, and other plant species in the recently emerged delta of the Atchafalaya river, Louisiana. Justicia ovata is the only species which is not grazed, being released from shading by taller species; it benefits from nutria overpopulation. Justicia colonies trap sediments more efficiently than stands of any other species present in the delta. If overgrown by other species in experimental exclosures, Justicia colonies are suppressed to the extent that sediment trapping is no longer detectable. Progressive elevational accretion of Justicia inlets in intertidal areas, exposed to nutria grazing, is a major cause of successful colonization of these islets by species, which are typical for more advance stages of vegetation succession.
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