Prairie marshes in western Canada, with specific reference to the ecology of five emergent macrophytes

Abstract

Prairie marshes in western Canada occur in the Manitoba, Saskatchėwan, and Alberta plains, from 49 to between 50 and 53° N. They are dynamic habitats characterized by fluctuations in water levels and water chemistry. Marsh habitats form an east–west gradient that involves a decrease in precipitation (525 – 350 mm year−1) and an increase in its variability. Within the region, water salinity ranges from fresh to hypersaline. Water levels and chemistry coupled with life history features influence the distribution and successional role of emergent macrophytes. Five dominant emergents have aboveground standing crops of between 425 (Scirpus lacustris ssp. glaucus) and 1750 g m−2 (Typha latifolia). They vary in reproductive strategy and tolerance to water levels and salinity. Scirpus lacustris ssp. glaucus grows in deep water with conductivities < 15 mS cm−1, and spreads vegetatively. Typha latifolia, tolerant of water fluctuations and salinity < 10 mS cm−1, spreads both vegetatively and by seed, particularly under drawdown. Phragmites australis tolerates a wide range of moisture conditions and salinities (< 20 mS cm−1). It propagates primarily by rhizomes and runners. Scirpus lacustris ssp. validus thrives under unstable water regimes but is saline intolerant (< 2 mS cm−1). It is short lived (±3 years) and reproduces primarily by seed. Scirpus maritimus var. paludosus, which dominates western wetlands, tolerates hypersaline conditions (±45 mS cm−1), prefers changing water levels, and spreads both vegetatively and by seed. These environmental and life history features help elucidate wetland dynamics.