Flooding Facility Helps Scientists Examine the Ecophysiology of Floodplain Species Used in Bottomland Hardwood Restorations

Abstract

Bottomland hardwood ecosystems, important for their unique functions and values, have experienced considerable degradation since European settlement through deforestation, development, and drainage. Currently, considerable effort is underway to restore ecological functions on degraded bottomland sites. Restoration requires a better understanding of the biological components, especially plants, and their interactions with other biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem. Previous experimental approaches have focused on the effects of stress on floodplain plant species in controlled, small-scale studies or large, uncontrolled ecosystem-scale studies. We describe a facility, named the Flooding Research Facility (FRF), where hydrologic regimes can be manipulated to study ecophysiology of floodplain species. Key features of the FRF include the ability to establish experiments on a scale larger than would be possible in a greenhouse, but small enough to control key abiotic variables, such as flood frequency, duration, and light availability on native bottomland soil. Design of the FRF allows for random and replicated treatment applications. Additionally, we provide an example of ongoing research on the effects of flooding and light availability on pondberry (Lindera melissifolia), a federally endangered shrub found in the southeastern United States.

Natural product studies of U.S. endangered plants: Volatile components of Lindera melissifolia (Lauraceae) repel mosquitoes and ticks

“…The drupes of L. melissifolia (5 kg) were collected in September 2009 at a research facility (Flooding Research Facility, FRF) (Lockhart et al, 2006) on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service land in Sharkey County, Mississippi and jointly maintained by the USFWS and the U.S. Forest Service and identified by Danny Skojac and Tracy Hawkins (USDA Forest Service).…”

Intensity and mode of Lindera melissifolia reproduction are affected by flooding and light availability

“…The FRF consists of 12, 0.4ha, rectangular impoundments that can be independently flooded or drained to create and control replicates of experimental hydroperiods. Lockhart et al (2006) present more detailed information regarding design and operation of the FRF.…”

Linking stakeholder research needs and the Federal Data Quality Act: A case study of an endangered forest shrub in the southeastern United States

“…Most research has been piecemeal based on interests of individual scientists (Wright, 1989(Wright, , 1990a(Wright, , 1990bDevall et al, 2001;Smith, 2003). Until recently, no major concerted effort had been put forth to conduct comprehensive research on the biology, ecology, and effects of forest management practices on pondberry (Aleric and Kirkman, 2005;Lockhart et al, 2006).…”

“…Pondberry plants growing in each impoundment cell were exposed to three different levels of light availability created by artificially manipulating natural sunlight using shadecloth. Further information on the FRF and associated treatments was detailed in Lockhart et al (2006).…”