PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #88: Wetland Ecology.
Presiding: K. Ewel
Thursday, August 8. 1:00 PM to 3:45 PM. Gila Meeting Room, TCC.
Differential nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation by five wetland plant species.
Kao, Jenny*,1, Titus, John1, Graham, Coralie1, 1 State University of NY at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY
ABSTRACT- Riparian wetlands demonstrate the ability to filter and control nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) movement into streams and other bodies of water; however, few studies examine the role that individual species serve in retaining N and P pollutants. We evaluated the potential for growth and consequent N and P accumulation by five species of wetland perennials. We planted blocks consisting of 900 cm2 plots of each species at 11 sites within a riparian wetland that receives high inputs of agricultural runoff. Plant shoots and roots were collected at the time of peak standing crop to determine net accumulation of biomass, N, and P for one growing season. Sparganium americanum had the highest concentration of P in both root and shoot tissues, and the highest concentration of N in root tissues (ANOVA for a species effect: P<.001). Total plot N and P in aboveground biomass was highest for Juncus effusus and S. americanum, and lowest for Scirpus cyperinus P<.01). In belowground biomass, total plot N and P was lowest for S. americanum and highest for J. effusus (P<.04). Our study suggests that species show differential accumulation of N and P in root and shoot systems. The differences in species performance may influence the overall potential of a wetland to retain nutrient inputs.
KEY WORDS: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Wetland Perennials, Nutrient Retention