Regional Variation in Phragmites australis Reproductive Traits and Seedling Performance in North America

Author:

Lee Sean1ORCID,McCormick Melissa K.2,Mozdzer Thomas J.3,Clay Keith1,Farrer Emily C.1

Affiliation:

1. Tulane University

2. Smithsonian Institution

3. Bryn Mawr College

Abstract

Abstract

Seedling recruitment is an important mode of spread utilized by many invasive plants. In widespread invasive plants, regional variation in the rates of seedling recruitment can contribute to differences in invasion intensity across regions. In this study we examined regional variation in reproductive traits and seedling performance in a cosmopolitan invasive wetland grass, Phragmites australis. We tested whether nitrogen levels and regions with different histories and intensities of invasion would affect reproductive traits and seedling performance. We sampled invasive Phragmites inflorescences from 34 populations across three regions in North America: The Northeast (oldest most intense invasion), the Midwest (recent intense invasion), and Southeast (recent sparse invasion). We hypothesized that Northeast Phragmites populations would have the highest reproductive output and seedling performance, and that populations experiencing high nitrogen pollution would have higher reproductive output and seedling performance under high nitrogen conditions. We found that populations in the Northeast had the highest inflorescence mass, as expected. We also found that despite sparse distribution of Phragmites in the Southeast, populations from the Southeast displayed a high potential for sexual reproduction. However, increasing watershed-level nitrogen decreased percent seed germination in Southeastern populations, suggesting that Southeastern populations are sensitive to rising nitrogen levels. While elevated nitrogen increased belowground growth in Southeastern Phragmites seedlings, elevated nitrogen decreased belowground growth in Midwestern seedlings. These results suggest that the southeastern region of North America may become the next invasion front of Phragmites, warranting more research into the possible management of Phragmites spread in the region.

Publisher

Research Square Platform LLC

Reference119 articles.

1. Achenbach L, Lambertini C, Brix H (2012) Phenotypic traits of Phragmites australis clones are not related to ploidy level and distribution range. AoB PLANTS 2012:pls017

2. Strategies for a successful plant invasion: the reproduction of Phragmites australis in north-eastern North America;Albert A;J Ecol,2015

3. Baskin CC, Baskin JM (2014) Chapter 8 - Variation in Seed Dormancy and Germination within and between Individuals and Populations of a Species. In: Baskin CC, Baskin JM (eds) Seeds (Second Edition). Academic, San Diego, pp 277–373

4. Comparative Regional Development in Antebellum Manufacturing;Bateman F;J Econ Hist,1975

5. Seeds contribute strongly to the spread of the invasive genotype of the common reed (Phragmites australis);Belzile F;Biol Invasions,2010

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3