Abstract
Tiller dynamics and net aerial primary productivity (NAPP) were studied in permanent sample plots of Spartina densiflora at Otamendi Natural Reserve (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina) from June 1996 to December 1997. Emergence, growth, senescence, survival, biomass dynamics, and tiller productivity were analyzed. These population attributes varied seasonally during the first study year, whereas variations were not detected in the subsequent year. Tiller density increased slightly during the first twelve months, attaining 2445±869 tillers·m−2, then remaining constant until the end of the study period. Senescence rate was lower than emergence rate on most sampling occasions. Cohorts originated in different seasons showed distinct survival curves. The life span of tillers was at least 18 months, Green biomass reached maximum values (771±410 g·m−2) during the first year but decreased during the last six months of observations. Annual NAPP was 1450±566 g·m−2·y−1. Average productivity rate was higher in the first year than in the second year. The decrease in the population density of tillers of S. densiflora and the increase in its senescence rate were more likely related to grazing and flooding than to population dynamics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Literature Cited
Begon, M. J., L. Harper, and C. R. Townsend. 1996. Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities. 3rd ed. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK.
Bilenca, D. N., E. A. Cittadino, and F. O. Kravetz. 1995. Influencia de la actividad de Cavia aperea sobre la estructura del hábitat y la distribución de Akodon azarae y Oryzomys flavescens (Rodentia: Caviidae, Muridae) en bordes de cultivos de la región pampeana (Argentina). Iheringia, Serie Zoológica 79:67–75.
Bonfils, C. G. 1962. Los suelos del Delta del río Paraná. Factores generadores, clasificación y uso. Revista de Investigaciones Agropecuarias INTA 16(3), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cabrera, A. L. 1970. Flora de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Volumes I to VI. Colección Científica del INTA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Castellanos, E. M., C. Heredia, M. E. Figueroa, and A. J. Davy. 1998. Tiller dynamics of Spartina maritima in successional and non-successional mediterranean salt marsh. Plant Ecology 137:213–225.
Chichizola, S. E. 1993. Las comunidades vegetales de la Reserva Natural Estricta Otamendi y sus relaciones con el ambiente. Parodiana 8:227–263.
Dai, T. and R. G. Wiegert. 1996. Ramet population dynamics and net aerial primary productivity of Spartina alterniflora. Ecology 77:276–288.
Dalby, P. 1975. Biology of pampa rodents, Balcarce area, Argentina. Publications of the Museum, Biological Series 5:149–272.
Gallagher, J. L. 1983. Seasonal patterns in recoverable underground reserves in Spartina alterniflora Loisel. American Journal of Botany 70:212–215.
Gallagher, J. L., R. J. Reimold, R. A. Linthurst, and W. J. Pfeiffer. 1980. Aerial production, mortality, and mineral accumulation-export dynamics in Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus plant stands in a Georgia salt marsh. Ecology 61:303–312.
Gallagher, J. L. and E. G. Howarth. 1987. Seasonal differences in Spartina recoverable underground reserves in the Great Sippewissett marsh in Massachusetts. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 25:313–319.
Harper, J. L. 1977. Population Biology of Plants. Academic Press, London, UK.
Hoffman, J. and L. Garcia. 1968. The maritime influence of the climate of the River Plate zone. Proceedings XXI International Geographic Congress, New Delhi, India.
Houghton, R. A. 1985. The effect of mortality on estimates of net above-ground production by Spartina alterniflora. Aquatic Botany 22:121–132.
INTA. 1998. Datos meteorológicos. Estación Otamendi. Serie 1979–1995. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Iriondo, M. and E. Scotta. 1978. The evolution of the Paraná River Delta. P. 405–418. In Proceedings of the International Symposium on Coastal Evolution in the Quaternary. INQUA, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Kandus, P. 1997. Analisis de patrones de vegetación a escala regional en el Bajo Delta del Río Paraná (Argentina). Tesis Doctoral. Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Kaswadji, R., J. G. Gosselink, and E. Turner. 1990. Estimation of primary production using five different methods in a Spartina alterniflora salt marsh. Wetlands Ecology and Management 1:57–64.
Kirby, C. J. and J. G. Gosselink. 1976. Primary production in a Louisiana Gulf coast Spartina alterniflora marsh. Ecology 57: 1052–1059.
Lovett-Doust, L. 1981. Population dynamics and local specialization in a clonal perennial (Ranunculus repens) I. The dynamics of ramets in contrasting habitats. Journal of Ecology 69:743–755.
Lytle, R. W. and R. J. Hull. 1980 a. Photoassimilate distribution in Spartina alterniflora Loisel, I. Vegetative and floral development. Agronomy Journal 72:933–938.
Lytle, R. W. and R. J. Hull. 1980 b. Photoassimilate distribution in Spartina alterniflora Loisel, II. Autumn and winter storage and spring re-growth. Agronomy Journal 72:938–942.
Mitsch, W. V. and J. G. Gosselink. 1993. Wetlands, 2nd ed. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, NY, USA.
Morris, J. T. and B. Haskin. 1990. A 5-year record of aerial primary production and stand characteristics of Spartina alterniflora. Ecology 71:2209–2217.
Mueller-Dombois, D. and H. Ellenberg. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. Wiley, New York, NY, USA.
Reidenbaugh, T. G. 1983. Productivity of cordgrass Spartina alterniflora estimated from live standing crops, mortality, and leaf shedding in a Virginia salt marsh. Estuaries 6:57–65.
Turner, R. E. 1976. Geographic variations in salt marsh macrophyte production: a review. Contributions in Marine Science, University of Texas 20:47–68.
Westlake, D. F. 1980. Primary production. p. 141–246. In E. D. Le Cren and R. H. Lowe-McConnell (eds.) The Functioning of Freshwater Ecosystems. IBP Handbook 22. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA.
Westlake, D. F., J. Kvet, and A. Szczepanski (eds.). 1998. The Production Ecology of Wetlands. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA.
Zar, J. H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis, 2nd ed. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vicari, R.L., Fischer, S., Madanes, N. et al. Tiller population dynamics and production on Spartina densiflora (Brong) on the floodplain of the Paraná River, Argentina. Wetlands 22, 347–354 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1672/0277-5212(2002)022[0347:TPDAPO]2.0.CO;2
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1672/0277-5212(2002)022[0347:TPDAPO]2.0.CO;2