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Soil organic carbon pools and composition in a wetland complex invaded by reed canary grass

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Abstract

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) invasion is prevalent in wetlands and riparian fringes, and due to differences in vegetative growth and residue quality relative to native species, P. arundinacea invasion could result in measurable effect on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and composition. To examine these questions, plant biomass and soil samples were collected from areas invaded by P. arundinacea and areas colonized either by a native sedge Scirpus cyperinus or a mixed assemblage of 22 native species in a south-central Indiana (USA) wetland. Plant biomass composition (C, N, cellulose, lignin, and phenolics), total and water-extractable SOC pools were determined. S. cyperinus biomass contained (g kg−1 biomass) significantly (P < 0.05) more lignin (142.5 vs 72), phenolics (29.2 vs 11.2), and cellulose (260.5 vs 164.8) than P. arundinacea biomass. These constituents were also more abundant in mixed native plant material than in P. arundinacea biomass. Decomposition of plant biomass was related to residue composition with P. arundinacea shoot biomass decomposing 1.6 times faster than S. cyperinus material. SOC pools (Mg C ha−1, 0–30 cm) were larger under P. arundinacea (28.3) than under either S. cyperinus (23.9) or the mixed native species (21.8). Thus, the greater recalcitrance of native plant biomass did not translate into larger SOC pools. Furthermore, water-extractable organic C, N, and carbohydrates were significantly higher in the surface layer of soils supporting P. arundinacea than in native species. These results therefore indicate a clear effect of P. arundinacea invasion on the cycling and composition of soil organic matter at the study site.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Sycamore Land Trust for providing access to the study site; Andrew Mertz of Indy Parks, for his help with the vegetation survey; Dr. Peter Sauer for his assistance with C and N analysis; Dr. Philippe Vidon for his guidance throughout this study; Vince Hernly and Bob Hall for their support with field reconnaissance and well installation; all the interns from the Center for Earth and Environmental Science (IUPUI) who helped with field sampling.

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  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 723 W. Michigan Street, SL 122, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Jonathan S. Bills, Pierre-Andre Jacinthe & Lenore P. Tedesco

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  1. Jonathan S. Bills
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  2. Pierre-Andre Jacinthe
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  3. Lenore P. Tedesco
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Correspondence to Pierre-Andre Jacinthe.

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Bills, J.S., Jacinthe, PA. & Tedesco, L.P. Soil organic carbon pools and composition in a wetland complex invaded by reed canary grass. Biol Fertil Soils 46, 697–706 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0476-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00374-010-0476-6

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