Intratussock tiller distribution and biomass of Spartina densiflora Brongnin an invaded salt marsh

  1. Castillo Segura, Jesús Manuel 2
  2. Rubio Casal, Alfredo Emilio 2
  3. Luque Palomo, Teresa 2
  4. Figueroa Clemente, Manuel Enrique 2
  5. Jiménez Nieva, Francisco Javier 1
  1. 1 Universidad de Huelva
    info

    Universidad de Huelva

    Huelva, España

    ROR https://ror.org/03a1kt624

  2. 2 Universidad de Sevilla
    info

    Universidad de Sevilla

    Sevilla, España

    ROR https://ror.org/03yxnpp24

Journal:
Lagascalia

ISSN: 0210-7708

Year of publication: 2003

Volume: 23

Issue: 1

Pages: 61-73

Type: Article

More publications in: Lagascalia

Sustainable development goals

Abstract

The interaction of clonal plants with the environment is strongly conditioned by their architecture. Despite their success regarding geographical distribution and capacity of colonization, there are few detailed studies on clonal growth of "phalanx" species. We analysed intratussock tiller distribution and biomasa of the South American "phalanx" clonal alien, Spartina densiflora, in an invaded salt marsh located in the Golf of Cadiz (SW Iberian Peninsula). Appearance of central die-back, necromass biomasa and mean live tiller height showed a direct relationship with tussock size. Intra-tussock densities of live tillers (10000 Ciller m-²) and above-ground biomass (12000 g D W m-²) were higher Chan in other Spartina species with "guerrilla' clonal growth. However, below-ground biomasa values (4800 g D W m2) were similar. Clonal growth traits, as high denaities of live large tiller and high below-ground biomass, together with so integrated clonal functioning would prevent the colonization by other species of S. densiflora tussocks in the studied European invaded salt marsh, in contrast with the facilitation processes described in its original habitat.