Replacement of Phragmites australis by Spartina alterniflora: The Role of Competition and Salinity

Autor: D. L. Medeiros, D. S. White, B. L. Howes
Rok vydání: 2013
Předmět:
Zdroj: Wetlands. 33:421-430
ISSN: 1943-6246
0277-5212
DOI: 10.1007/s13157-013-0400-6
Popis: Effects of salinity, plant competition and shading on Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora were evaluated in greenhouse incubations of intact wetland sediments collected from natural plant stands. Salinity and competition had significant negative effects on growth of both species. Competition reduced growth of both species, but at higher salinity there was a disproportionately large reduction in P. australis growth compared to S. alterniflora. The result was observed in comparisons of both above ground biomass and underground recoverable reserves. The greater negative effect on growth of P. australis appears to result from its lower tolerance than S. alterniflora, to salinities typical of non-riverine New England salt marshes. Increased shading reduced growth of S. alterniflora at higher salinities, suggesting an additional factor potentially influencing its competition with P. australis. Findings agree with previous studies’ suggestions of the importance of interactions between stress tolerance and competition in determining wetlands plant species zonation. Enhancing competition with P. australis may provide another approach for Phragmites control. While current methods typically focus on removal of colonizing stands, parallel introduction of native species, such as S. alterniflora might also be considered, either via favorable habitat creation or through direct transplants, as a potentially means of faster replacement.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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