Sediment addition enhances transpiration and growth of Spartina alterniflora in deteriorating Louisiana Gulf Coast salt marshes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-1992

Abstract

Transpiration, leaf conductance, net photosynthesis, leaf growth, above-ground biomass and regeneration of new culms were studied in a rapidly subsiding Spartina alterniflora Lois. salt marsh following the addition at 47 and 94 Kg m-2 of new sediment. Plant growth was enhanced in response to sediment addition as was evident by a significant increase in leaf area, above-ground biomass production and regeneration of new culms (p ≤ 0.05). Leaf conductance and transpiration rates were significantly greater in sediment treated plants than in control plants (p ≤ 0.05). Enhanced production of culms per unit area of marsh resulted in increased leaf area which allowed a greater capacity for net photosynthesis and contributed to increases in above-ground biomass of sediment treated plots. © 1992 SPB Academic Publishing bv.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Wetlands Ecology and Management

First Page

185

Last Page

189

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