Abstract
Nitrogen effects were examined by experimentally enriching plots of pureSpartina foliosa and mixedSpartina-Salicorniavirginica at Tijuana Estuary, California. Even with large inputs of organic nitrogen from sewage spills in 1983, plants responded to experimental urea enrichment. In pure plots, the addition of nitrogen increasedSpartina growth (as measured by total stem length and August biomass) and foliar nitrogen (TKN) concentration. In mixed plots, enrichment had no apparent effect onSpartina but increased the growth ofSalicornia. The experimental removal ofSalicornia from mixed stands increasedSpartina production, but removal ofSpartina did not affectSalicornia. Salicornia is a superior competitor for nitrogen and checks the growth ofSpartina in enriched and unenriched conditions.
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Covin, J.D., Zedler, J.B. Nitrogen effects onSpartina foliosa andSalicornia virginica in the salt marsh at Tijuana Estuary, California. Wetlands 8, 51–65 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160808
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03160808