PARENT SESSION
Poster Session 2 / Sesion Carteles 2: Invasive Species / Invasivas
Wednesday, January 11 / Miercoles, 11 de Enero, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, Salon Yucatan, Lobby Level, Fiesta Americana
Allelopathy as a mechanism for the invasion of Typha angustifolia.
Jarchow, Meghann*,1, 2, Cook, Bradley1, 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN, USA2 Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN, USA
ABSTRACT- Second to habitat destruction, the loss of biological diversity due to invasive species is the leading cause of extinctions. Invasive species can decrease biological diversity by forming near monocultures in previously diverse habitats. Typha angustifolia (narrow leaved cattail) is an invasive exotic plant that often forms monocultures in disturbed wetlands. Research suggests that some Typha species are allelopathic, and therefore, compete via both resource and interference competition. We tested whether allelopathy was a mechanism of invasiveness for T. angustifolia and characterized the allelochemicals (soluble phenolics) produced by T. angustifolia. We grew T. angustifolia with the common native bulrush Bolboschoenus fluviatilis in soil with and without activated carbon. The activated carbon ameliorated the effects of the allelochemicals. Mean biomass of B. fluviatilis was lower when grown in competition with T. angustifolia than in competition without allelopathy or no competition. The reverse was true for the mean biomass of T. angustifolia. This supports our hypothesis that allelopathy can be a mechanism for the invasion of T. angustifolia. We also found qualitative and quantitative differences in the soluble phenolics produced by T. angustifolia when grown alone than when grown in competition with B. fluviatilis. Understanding the mechanisms behind the invasiveness of T. angustifolia is essential for effective wetland management and conservation.
SPANISH ABSTRACT- n/a.