Effects of Nutrients and Hydroperiod on Typha, Cladium, and Eleocharis: Implications for Everglades Restoration

Abstract

The recent expansion of Typha domingensis (Typha) into areas of the Everglades previously dominated by Cladium jamaicense (Cladium) communities has led to competing hypotheses about the importance of nutrient concentration vs. hydroperiod in controlling the distribution of these species. In this study, experimental mixtures of Typha domingensis, Cladium jamaicense, and Eleocharis interstincta (Eleocharis), a member of the Cladium community, were subjected to two levels of nutrient concentration and three contrasting hydroperiods to determine how these variables might affect Typha's ability to displace the Cladium community. Mixtures of the three species were established in outdoor tanks containing soil from the northern Everglades region where the experiment was conducted. Nutrient treatments consisted of nutrient additions to adjust ambient water concentrations to either 50 μg/L phosphorus (P) or 100 μg/L P plus nitrogen (N). The three hydroperiods were achieved by maintaining water depths within ranges observed in the northern Everglades. Maximum water depths of 15, 30, and 60 cm were established throughout the wet season (May‐November) followed by lowering to 5 cm during the dry season. Over a 2‐yr period, biomass was monitored nondestructively and aboveground material was harvested at the end of the experiment. Analysis of the biomass changes over time showed that differences between the species developed by the end of the first growing season. Typha and Eleocharis had initial growth rates substantially higher than those observed for Cladium. Typha's growth in mixtures responded positively to both elevated nutrients (by as much as 45%) as well as to increased water depth (by as much as 60%), while Cladium and Eleocharis did not increase in response to these variables. Tissue P concentrations were found to be higher for Typha and Eleocharis than for Cladium under nearly all conditions. Net accumulation of P in Typha shoots was 2‐3 times greater than in the other species. The enhancement of Typha by elevated nutrients and increased flooding is associated with a syndrome of life history characteristics that includes rapid growth rates, high tissue concentrations of P, tall leaves, and a greater response to contrasting environmental conditions. Cladium, in contrast, showed a slow growth rate, low tissue concentrations of P, a greater capacity to resist invasion by Typha in shallow waters, and less of a growth response to contrasting environmental conditions, traits that would seem to be well suited to the nutrient‐poor, hydrologically unstable conditions natural to the Everglades. Results from this study suggest that attempts to limit the spread of Typha should consider hydrologic restoration as well as reduction in surface water nutrients.

Uptake of Ag, Co and Ni by the Organs of <i>Typha domingensis</i> (Pers.) Poir. ex Steud. in Lake Burullus and Their Potential Use As Contamination Indicators

“…It is one of the major components of vegetation stands along the shores of Lake Burullus close to the Deltaic Mediterranean coast [14]. T. domingensis is one of the emergent plants most commonly used in constructed wetlands for the enhancement of water quality in water treatment systems [10,15] due to its high growth rate and great capacity for heavy metals accumulation in its tissues [16,17].…”

Seasonal differences in the CO2 exchange of a short-hydroperiod Florida Everglades marsh

“…These changes have had many ecological consequences, including alterations in nutrient concentration and distribution, plant community composition, aboveground net primary production, and periphyton dynamics (Newman et al, 1996;Ross et al, 2000;Armentano et al, 2006;Childers et al, 2006;Iwaniec et al, 2006). In an effort to reverse these alterations, significant Everglades restoration activities began in the 1970s (Lodge, 2005), and now fall under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).…”

Recent Changes in Soil Total Phosphorus in the Everglades: Water Conservation Area 3

“…For example, Davis (1994) estimated that, as a result of increased nutrient loading from drained agricultural lands, annual phosphorus (P) inputs to the Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) increased from historic levels of approximately 129 metric tons (mt) to levels of approximately 376 mt. Changes in hydrology combined with increased nutrient loading have not only led to a rapid expansion of Typha domingensis (cattail) in areas that receive water directly from the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) (Newman, Grace, & Koebel, 1996;Noe et al, 2001), but also to significant changes in ecosystem structure and function (Davis, 1991;Koch & Reddy, 1992;Drake et al, 1996;Newman et al, 1998;McCormick & Stevenson, 1998).…”