PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #39: Invasions: Effects of invaders -- Aquatic, marsh, riparian. Presiding: C. Kolar.
Wednesday, August 8, 2001. 8:00 AM to 11:45 AM. Madison Ballroom C.
Tamarix response to flooding frequency and depth.
Mowery, DeLora1, Wallace, Linda1, 1
ABSTRACT- Increased human mobility and biosphere modifications have led to an exchange of species between previously biogeographically separated regions. Tamarix spp. (salt cedar) are naturalized exotic species in the United States. They create small "biological deserts" because they replace native species, creating monospecific stands. Inundation, although previously investigated, has not been thoroughly examined as a management tool. In this paper, we examine differing flood levels and frequencies to determine what combination would be the most effective in management efforts. Tamarix gallica saplings were collected from the Great Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge in north central Oklahoma. The experimental design was a fully crossed design with different frequencies and levels of inundation and an additional unflooded control. The biyearly frequency had the greatest mortality rate regardless of the depth of the inundating water. Dissolved oxygen levels drive the physiological effects on the treated plants, being highly correlated with physiological and morphological variables. Thus, bi-yearly inundation is most effective because it creates the most anoxic conditions for roots, beyond their ability to cope with such conditions.
KEY WORDS: exotics, flooding, management, salt cedar