Plant distribution along an elevational gradient in a macrotidal salt marsh on the west coast of Korea

Soil factors determining the distribution of Phragmites australis and Phacelurus latifolius in upper tidal zone

“…In the present study, soil environmental characteristics of P. australis and P. latifolius did not show the difference in soil nitrate content or particle content. According to the narrower difference in soil environment, distribution range of P. australis and P. latifolius seemed to be restricted and almost overlapped only in the upper tidal marsh (Yokoyama et al 2003;Bang et al 2018). Despite the overlapped distribution ranges by elevation of P. australis and P. latifolius (Bang et al 2018), the co-existence range was narrower in this study.…”

“…According to the narrower difference in soil environment, distribution range of P. australis and P. latifolius seemed to be restricted and almost overlapped only in the upper tidal marsh (Yokoyama et al 2003;Bang et al 2018). Despite the overlapped distribution ranges by elevation of P. australis and P. latifolius (Bang et al 2018), the co-existence range was narrower in this study. Min (2015) showed that P. australis and P. latifolius could co-exist in same tidal mound without the belowground competition by rhizome of P. australis which rooted deeper than P. latifolius.…”

“…Tidal marshes, showing high primary productivity, usually function as buffer zone, water purifier, and habitat for wildlife (Moeller et al 1996;Wolters et al 2005;Bang et al 2018). Many ecological functions of tidal marsh are based on the growth of plant species.…”

“…Due to seawater flooding regime causing heterogeneous environments in tidal marsh, zonation patterns of vegetation often occur depending on soil environments particularly in rhizosphere (Armstrong et al 1985;Ihm et al 2006;Bang et al 2018). Grass species mainly occur in the temperate zone of tidal marsh (Ihm et al 2001(Ihm et al , 2006.…”

“…P. latifolius is classified as halophytes, while P. australis is classified as salt-tolerant species (Lissner and Schierup 1997;Yokoyama et al 2003). According to salinity ranges, two species have shown the zonation pattern in tidal marsh (Yokoyama et al 2003;Bang et al 2018). Despite different niche in the salinity range of P. latifolius and P. australis, those species occasionally co-occur in an area (Min 2015).…”