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

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Abstract

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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. John M. Teal for insights into the conduct of this research and for careful review of this manuscript and technical staff of the Coastal Systems Program, J. Benson and S. Horvet for assistance in the conduct of the greenhouse experiments and C. David for field assistance. This research was funded through the Janet N. Phiphard Endowment at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Foundation, the Sesuit Creek Restoration Project (NOAA/Town of Dennis, MA) and the Coastal Systems Program, SMAST-UMASS Dartmouth.

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  1. School for Marine Science and Technology, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 706 South Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford, MA, 02744, USA

    D. L. Medeiros, D. S. White & B. L. Howes

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  1. D. L. Medeiros
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  2. D. S. White
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  3. B. L. Howes
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Correspondence to D. L. Medeiros.

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Medeiros, D.L., White, D.S. & Howes, B.L. Replacement of Phragmites australis by Spartina alterniflora: The Role of Competition and Salinity . Wetlands 33, 421–430 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-013-0400-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-013-0400-6

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