Belowground Biomass of Phragmites australis in Coastal Marshes

The distribution of below ground biomass within monotypic stands of invasive Phragmites australis (Common Reed) was documented from a series of oligo-, meso-, and polyhaline coastal marshes in New Hampshire. Soil profiles were described, and live biomass was documented growing to a maximum depth of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inNortheastern naturalist Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 611 - 626
Main Authors Moore, Gregg E, Burdick, David M, Peter, Christopher R, Keirstead, Donald R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Steuben Humboldt Field Research Institute 01.12.2012
Eagle Hill Institute
Northeastern Naturalist
Subjects
Belowground biomass
Biomass
Competition
Creeks & streams
Freshwater resources
Marshes
Native species
Phragmites australis
Plants
Rhizomes
Rooting depth
Salinity
Salt marshes
Soil erosion
Soil salinity
Studies
Success
Wetland ecology
Wetlands
United States > US
New Hampshire
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Summary:The distribution of below ground biomass within monotypic stands of invasive Phragmites australis (Common Reed) was documented from a series of oligo-, meso-, and polyhaline coastal marshes in New Hampshire. Soil profiles were described, and live biomass was documented growing to a maximum depth of 95 cm for roots and 85 cm for rhizomes. Our data show that invasive P. australis utilizes a greater depth range than native graminoids (90% within the top 70 cm and top 20 cm, respectively). We corroborate prior anecdotal observations and provide further evidence illustrating the potential for this invasive plant to access resources (i.e., water and nutrients) at depths greater than the native species with which it competes.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:1092-6194
1938-5307
DOI:10.1656/045.019.0406