Date of Award
2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Biological and Environmental Sciences (MSBES)
Specialization
Ecology and Ecosystem Sciences
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Laura A Meyerson
Abstract
With the rapid decline of Phragmites australis in the Mississippi River Delta (MRD) and increasing threat of land erosion, understanding the possible contributing factors to reed dieback have become increasingly apparent. In this study, we use a greenhouse experiment to examine how the combination of salinity and herbivory could contribute to carbon starvation and ultimately reed dieback in reed stands of North American native and/or the introduced European in New England wetlands. We measured the aboveground biomass, leaf water content, leaf toughness, and specific leaf area, as well as carbohydrate levels and starch content across three salinity treatments with and without S. frugiperda. We found that sucrose does not seem to play a role in terms of mediating salinity stress and that the percentage of starch granules found in the rhizomes increases with salinity, for both lineages. Overall, with some minor differences, we found that the native and introduced lineage of P. australis are similarly affected by herbivory from S. frugiperda, with and without the addition of salinity.
Recommended Citation
Soukup, Jennifer, "COMBINED EFFECT OF HERBIVORY AND SALINITY STRESS ON THE COMMON REED, PHRAGMITES AUSTRALIS" (2020). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1905.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1905
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