Salinity and the small-scale distribution of three barrier island shrubs

Abstract

The importance of salinity to small-scale distribution patterns was examined for three shrubs common on barrier islands of the southeastern United States. Field measurements focused on the salt marsh – upland interface zone on Hog Island, Virginia, where Myrica cerifera, Baccharis halimifolia, and Iva frutescens form distinct distributional zones. Although considerable variation in salinity occurred throughout the growth season (June through October), total soil chlorides and groundwater salinity were lowest for M. cerifera, intermediate for B. halimifolia, and highest for I. frutescens. All three species showed similar diurnal and seasonal patterns in stomatal conductance and leaf xylem pressure potential, despite the differences in salinity. However, a laboratory experiment revealed interspecific differences in water relations when the three shrubs were exposed to identical salinity regimes. The field data and water relations experiment indicated M. cerifera is least tolerant to salinity, I. frutescens is most tolerant, and B. halimifolia is intermediate. Seed germination experiments revealed a similar response, except that B. halimifolia was more sensitive to salinity than M. cerifera. The interspecific differences in soil and groundwater salinity, along with the physiological response differences, indicated that salinity may be one of the major environmental factors influencing zonation among the three shrubs; however, the absence of I. frutescens and B. halimifolia in low salinity areas implied that other factors also influence zonation patterns on barrier islands. Key words: Baccharis halimifolia, Iva frutescens, Myrica cerifera, barrier island, salinity tolerance, shrub.