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The implications of willow invasion in a sawgrass community
Title
The implications of willow invasion in a sawgrass community.
Creator
Budny, Michelle L., Benscoter, Brian, Graduate College
Abstract/Description
Purpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers...
Show morePurpose: This project will assess the consequences of expansion of coastal willow Salix caroliniana in sawgrass Cladium jamaicense-dominated wetlands on plant community composition and ecosystem water and carbon exchange. Methods: Research will be conducted at Blue Cypress Conservation Area, an impounded sawgrass peatland within the St. John’s Water Management District SJWMD located in Vero Beach, FL. It is part of the River Basin Project controlled by SJWMD and the US Army Corps of Engineers, which moderates flooding, protects water quality, and reduces the amount of freshwater diverted to the Indian River Lagoon. Plant transpiration and CO2 exchange will be measured on fully expanded, non-damaged leaves of sawgrass and willow using a portable infrared gas analyzer LI-6400, LI-COR, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A.. Plant community composition in both habitats will be surveyed along with measurements of microhabitat conditions and water quality. Results: The results obtained from this study will provide a better understanding of physiological responses and community changes that may occur in sawgrass habitats as a result of willow encroachment. It is anticipated that there will be differences in transpiration rates between the two species as well as changes to community structure and water quality. Measuring plant level physiological responses will help improve landscape level models of water exchange as well as inform water management decisions.
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Date Issued
2014
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005806
Format
Document (PDF)
The impact of willow encroachment on water and carbon exchange in the vegetation of a subtropical wetland
Title
The impact of willow encroachment on water and carbon exchange in the vegetation of a subtropical wetland.
Creator
Budny, Michelle L., Benscoter, Brian, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description
Shortened periods of inundation due to water management have led to the encroachment and expansion of Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana) in sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) marsh communities. Morphologic and physiologic differences between sawgrass and willow have potential consequences for microhabitat conditions and ecosystem function such as a reduction in temperatures and light availability and changes in primary productivity. Since it is a woody shrub, willow is often assumed to exhibit...
Show moreShortened periods of inundation due to water management have led to the encroachment and expansion of Carolina willow (Salix caroliniana) in sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) marsh communities. Morphologic and physiologic differences between sawgrass and willow have potential consequences for microhabitat conditions and ecosystem function such as a reduction in temperatures and light availability and changes in primary productivity. Since it is a woody shrub, willow is often assumed to exhibit higher rates of transpiration than non woody plants, which in turn can affect photosynthesis and carbon exchange and ultimately wetland water management. In this study willow was found to have higher rates of stomatal conductance (gs) and photosynthesis (Anet) than sawgrass. However, sawgrass had greater intrinsic water use efficiency (WUE) than willow. This suggests that willow is capable of greater gas exchange and carbon assimilation than sawgrass but requires more water. Understanding the implications of willow expansion will improve landscape models of wetland water and carbon exchange and inform water management decisions.
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Date Issued
2015
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004350, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004350
Subject Headings
Biogeochemistry, Ecosystem management, Surfaces (Technology) -- Measurement, Vegetation dynamics, Wetland ecology
Format
Document (PDF)