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Postharvest growth dynamic of Schoenoplectus californicus along fluvio-estuarine and flooding gradients

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Abstract

The emergent wetland plant Schoenoplectus californicus is used as fiber in several American countries, but the effects of harvesting on this species have not previously been studied. We analyzed the biomass production, stem density and morphometry of this species along fluvio-estuarine and flooding gradients and evaluated the effects of harvesting on growth and recovery capacity in the Santa Lucía River (Uruguay), comparing river sections and surface elevations. Differences in biomass, length and stem density were associated with the dynamics of the hydrological regime. The mean biomass and length growth rates were 3.0 ± 2.8 g day−1 and 0.8 ± 0.5 cm day−1, respectively. The analysis of the postharvest growth dynamic showed variation among the stems, suggesting the existence of mechanisms of plant compensation for the harvest effect. Six months after the harvest, S. californicus had recovered, e.g., in stem length and density, while the biomass showed a slower recovery. Our results suggest that the recovery capacity of this species depends on the population structure before the harvest and on favorable conditions during the recovery period. Based on our results, we recommend strategies for sustainable harvest management.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (ANII), the Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SNAP—Dirección Nacional de Medio Ambiente—Ministerio de Vivienda Ordenamiento Territorial y Medio Ambiente) and the Master in Environmental Sciences program (Universidad de la República, UdelaR) for providing research funds. We appreciate the support and contributions of the Sección Limnología (Facultad de Ciencias, UdelaR) and of the Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección e Ecoinformática (Universidad Nacional de San Martín). We thank the Servicio de Oceanografía, Hidrografía y Meteorología de la Armada (SOHMA) for the contribution of meteorological and hydrological data. We also thank Cristhian Clavijo for his assistance during the field study and his contributions during the project. We want to especially acknowledge the memory of Eduardo Alonso Paz for his dedication and contributions to spreading and deepening the knowledge of botany and especially aquatic plants in Uruguay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sección Limnología, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Iguá 4225, 11400, Montevideo, Uruguay

    Viveka Sabaj, Daniel Conde & Lorena Rodríguez-Gallego

  2. PDU Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, UdelaR, Ruta 9 y Ruta 15, 27000, Rocha, Uruguay

    Lorena Rodríguez-Gallego

  3. Laboratorio de Ecología, Teledetección y Eco-informática, Instituto de Investigación e Ingeniería Ambiental, Teledetección y Ecoinformática, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, 25 de Mayo y Francia, 1650, San Martín, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Patricia Kandus

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  1. Viveka Sabaj
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Correspondence to Viveka Sabaj.

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Sabaj, V., Conde, D., Rodríguez-Gallego, L. et al. Postharvest growth dynamic of Schoenoplectus californicus along fluvio-estuarine and flooding gradients. Wetlands Ecol Manage 26, 125–138 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-017-9560-0

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