Abstract
The ecophysiological characteristics of native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora grown under waterlogging and salinity were investigated to explore their adaptation potential to sea level rise. The seasonal course of phenotypic traits, photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of P. australis did not change remarkably under shallow flooding, whereas these variables were sensitive to increasing salinity. Waterlogging exacerbated the negative effects of salinity on shoot growth and photosynthetic activity of P. australis, and the combined stresses led to an absence of tassel and reproductive organs. By contrast, S. alterniflora performed well under both stresses and showed an obvious adaptation of salt secretion with increasing salinity. Light salinity was the optimal condition for S. alterniflora, and the tassel growth, chlorophyll content and fluorescence characters under moderate stresses did not differ notably. The Na+ and Cl− concentrations in leaves of both species increased, and the K+ content decreased in response to salinity. Under moderate and high saline levels, the ion concentrations in S. alterniflora were maintained at relatively consistent levels with increased salt secretion. We expect the degradation of P. australis and further colonization of S. alterniflora under prolonged flooding and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise on the coastline of China.
Highlights
The ecophysiological characteristics of native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora grown under waterlogging and salinity were investigated to explore their adaptation potential to sea level rise
Regardless of saline treatment, the stem height and leaf area of P. australis under non-waterlogging were on average 15% and 16% higher than those under waterlogging, respectively, whereas in S. alterniflora, these differences were marginal throughout the growing period (Fig. 1)
P. australis and S. alterniflora are the typical native and exotic species, respectively, in many coastal salt marshes in China[21,22]
Summary
The ecophysiological characteristics of native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora grown under waterlogging and salinity were investigated to explore their adaptation potential to sea level rise. We expect the degradation of P. australis and further colonization of S. alterniflora under prolonged flooding and saltwater intrusion from sea level rise on the coastline of China. Salt marshes are vulnerable to sea level rise (SLR) because of their low elevation at the intertidal interface[2,3]. At low elevation regions with the potential for fast SLR, prolonged waterlogging would lead to reduced vegetation growth and rapid marsh submergence. The intrinsic physiological properties of marsh macrophytes in response to environmental stress conditions have been emphasized[14,15,16]. The ecophysiological adaptation of these different marsh macrophytes to environmental stresses could be significantly diverse
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