Identifier
etd-1111102-112243
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
Delta National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) is located in the active Mississippi River Delta (MRD). Resource managers at DNWR are implementing a marsh creation program that consists of dredging crevasses (openings) in the natural or man-made levees of major distributaries to divert sediment rich waters in to open bays. The mudflats thus created are colonized by stands of delta duck-potato (Sagittaria platyphylla) and delta three-square (Schoenoplectus deltarum). These plant communities stabilize the mudflats and provide high quality habitat for wintering waterfowl and nutria. Two challenges for the maintenance of these plant communities is disturbance from tropical storms and intense winter grazing. Objectives for my study were to measure initial (fall) density of belowground biomass in tropical storm impact vs. non-impact years and quantify herbivore use of belowground biomass. My study was conducted in 1998-2000 following disturbance by Hurricane Georges in September 1998. Exclosures were used to prevent all grazing or limit grazing to nutria only in two treatments. The third treatment was unrestricted grazing. Twelve replicates were distributed over four crevasse/mudflat complexes. Soil cores were collected in November, January, and March to assess production and use of belowground biomass. A mixed model (PROC MIXED, SAS 1996) was used to analyze treatment effects. Production in November 1998 was less than in November 1999 in both communities. In March of 1999 and 2000, belowground biomass in no grazing treatments was different from open grazing and nutria only grazing treatments, but the open grazing and nutria only grazing treatments did not differ. Disturbance from Hurricane Georges did reduce belowground production in 1998 and winter grazing further depleted belowground biomass, but belowground production in 1999 was greater than 1998. The productivity of these plant communities was capable of sustaining heavy reduction in belowground biomass, yet return to high levels of productivity in the following year.
Date
2002
Document Availability at the Time of Submission
Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.
Recommended Citation
Talley, Scotland, "Impacts of vertebrate herbivores and Hurricane Georges on densities of belowground plant material on shallow mudflats in the active Mississippi River Delta" (2002). LSU Master's Theses. 3302.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/3302
Committee Chair
Robert H. Chabreck
DOI
10.31390/gradschool_theses.3302