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Macrophytes play an important role in the functioning and structuring of aquatic environments but rapid mass development of invasive macrophytes is causing global concerns. Macroinvertebrate richness and abundance are strongly influenced by macrophytes as macrophytes offer habitats and food resources, increase structural heterogeneity, and provide refuges. Meanwhile, the presence of macrophytes affects the efficiency of standard sampling methods for macroinvertebrates. These effects are not well studied but are leading to biased management decisions. To fill in this knowledge gap, we analysed macroinvertebrate communities from four lakes in four countries in Europe and Africa with mass development of invasive macrophytes. We compared macroinvertebrate communities in sediment samples from a plant-free part of the lake with those in sediment and sweep samples taken within macrophyte stands …