Using seeds to establish vegetation in constructed freshwater marshes /
The feasibility of using seeds instead of vegetative
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[Place of publication not identified] :
[publisher not identified] ;
1996.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://proxy.library.tamu.edu/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=739668881&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=2945&RQT=309&VName=PQD |
| Summary: | The feasibility of using seeds instead of vegetative transplants for establishing vegetation in constructed freshwater wetlands on the upper Texas coast was evaluated. Species examined consisted of Carex cherokeensis, Cyperus virens, C. pseudovegetus, Echinochloa crusgalli, E. walteri, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Rhynchospora corniculata, R. globularis, Rumex crispus, Sagittaria lancifolia, Scirpus pungens, and Sesbania macrocarpa. Seed germination in response to presence or absence of stratification and scarification with sprinkled or sprinkled/saturated water regimes was evaluated in a controlled outdoor growth environment. Seed germination in a constructed wetland was evaluated in response to stratification and scarification (presence/absence) with sprinkled or inundated water regimes (-3, 2, 7, 12, 17, and 22 cm flooding depths). Growth and survival of wild-collected and container grown transplants were evaluated at 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, and 31 cm water depths. In the growth environment, three species germinated well. C. virens germinated better in the wettest treatment, while E. crusgalli germinated best in the drier treatment. For S. macrocarpa, with its hard, waxy seed coat, scarification significantly increased germination of S. macrocarpa. In the constructed wetlands lack of constant soil moisture (in the sprinkled treatment) or excessive depth of flooding apparently caused poor germination in all study species except E. crusgalli, R. crispus, and S. macrocarpa. Best germination was without or with minimal (2 cm) flooding. Little germination occurred in water depths greater than 2 cm. As before, scarification significantly increased germination of S. macrocarpa. Transplants of several of the study species were able to tolerate a wide variety of hydrologic regimes, with S. lancifolia and S. pungens being the most adaptable. For deeper habitats, P. hydropiperoides did fairly well, while R. corniculata and C. pseudovegetus did well at the shallower depths. C. cherokeensis and R. globularis were not Suitable for the water depths studied. For the Echinochloa species, it appears to be important that the water level be maintained below the tops of the plants while they are immature. Overall, of the species studied, E. crusgalli and S. macrocarpa, both annuals, were best suited for seeding constructed wetlands due to their relatively high germination percentages and rapid germination and growth. |
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| Item Description: | Vita. "Major Subject: Rangeland Ecology and Management". |
| Physical Description: | xvi, 182 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm. Issued also on microfiche from University Microfilms Inc. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references: pages 147-164. |