Growth and morphological responses of four helophyte species in an experimental water-depth gradient

Abstract

The distribution on shorelines of four helophyte species (two gramineous species, viz. Phalaris arundinacea L. and Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel and two cyperacean species, viz. Scirpus maritimus L. and S. lacustris L.) was studied in relation to growth responses in the water-depth gradient. Stands of S. lacustris were found at lower depths relative to the mean water level (average fringe depth 69 ± 19 cm) than stands of Phragmites australis (av. 45 ± 20 cm), S. maritimus (av. 36 ± 8 cm) and Phalaris arundinacea (av. 25 ± 8 cm). The growth responses to a gradient of water depth were studied by planting the four species at five distinct water depths in outdoor basins, and determining morphological parameters and biomass distributions of the species grown for two consecutive years. The biomass of Phalaris arundinacea was reduced below 30 cm water depth, while Phragmites australis and S. maritimus showed reduced biomass at 80 cm water depth. S. lacustris showed no biomass reduction even at 80 cm water depth. An increased above-ground: below-ground biomass ratio in deeper water was demonstrated for each of the species under study; however, the modification of biomass distribution in the gramineous species occurred abruptly in very shallow water contrary to the cyperacean species. Mean basal stem diameter increased with water depth in all four species. Mean stem length increased with water depth in three of the four species. Stem elongation with increasing water depth was strongest in the cyperacean species. The gramineous species showed enhanced formation of adventitious roots at submerged nodes. The similarity of responses to water depth was greatest within each of the groups of gramineous and cyperacean species. The responses reflect the zonation of the species along the water-depth gradient: S. lacustris in relatively deep water, Phragmites australis and S. maritimus in shallower water, and Phalaris arundinacea in very shallow water.