The Effects of Phragmites Removal on Nutrient Pools in a Freshwater Tidal Marsh Ecosystem

Selected nitrogen and phosphorus pools in two freshwater tidal marsh ecosystems on the lower Connecticut River were measured relative to Phragmites, Typha and mixed native wetland plant cover types. For both the Chapman Pond Preserve and Chester Creek Marsh, significant differences were found betwee...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological invasions 1999-06, Vol.1 (2-3), p.129-136
Main Authors: Meyerson, Laura A, Chambers, Randolph M, Vogt, Kristiina A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonium
Aquatic ecosystems
Aquatic plants
Freshwater
Growing season
Nitrogen
Nutrient removal
Phragmites
Plant tissues
Ponds
Pore water
River ecology
Tidal marshes
Typha
USA, Connecticut
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Summary:Selected nitrogen and phosphorus pools in two freshwater tidal marsh ecosystems on the lower Connecticut River were measured relative to Phragmites, Typha and mixed native wetland plant cover types. For both the Chapman Pond Preserve and Chester Creek Marsh, significant differences were found between plant cover types in porewater ammonium and phosphate for some months during the 1998 growing season; porewater nitrate was always below the detection limit. At Chapman Pond, no significant differences were detected between Phragmites and Typha for plant tissue N concentrations. The standing stock of nitrogen was higher in Phragmites stands, however, owing to its greater aboveground biomass. No significant difference was found between plant cover types for total soil N at Chapman Pond, but KCl extractable ammonium was higher in the mixed cover type than Phragmites or Typha. The results of this study suggest that Phragmites is affecting nutrient pools in freshwater tidal marshes, a result that should be considered in future management design.
ISSN:1387-3547
1573-1464
DOI:10.1023/A:1010005724468