Characterizing Phenology and Fecundity of Spartina Alterniflora, the Dominant Species of Coastal Salt Marshes in Georgia

Location

College of Science and Mathematics (COSM)

Session Format

Oral Presentation

Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors

Dr. Heather Joesting, Faculty Advisor

Abstract

Spartina alterniflora is the dominant plant species in salt marshes along the East and Gulf coasts of the US, playing a critical role in salt marsh growth and maintenance, and contributes to the high net primary productivity characteristic of these habitats. The purpose of this research was to characterize the phenology (fruiting/flowering status and seed count) and fecundity (seed viability and germination success) of S. alterniflora across three salt marsh sites in Chatham County, Georgia, of varying marine influence. Mature spikelets were collected from random individuals in Fall 2019 and 2020, seeds per spikelet were counted, and seeds were placed in cold, wet storage for three months. After this cold stratification period, seeds were tested for viability using the Tetrazolium test. Additionally, seeds collected in Fall 2019 were continually monitored for germination rate and survival during the growing season. Preliminary results show a significant effect of marsh site on the number of seeds per spikelet for the Fall 2019 collection, with significantly more seeds in the marsh furthest from the ocean. However, seed viability for the Fall 2019 collection was significantly greatest at the marsh site nearest to the ocean.

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Creative Commons License
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Presentation (Open Access)

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Characterizing Phenology and Fecundity of Spartina Alterniflora, the Dominant Species of Coastal Salt Marshes in Georgia

College of Science and Mathematics (COSM)

Spartina alterniflora is the dominant plant species in salt marshes along the East and Gulf coasts of the US, playing a critical role in salt marsh growth and maintenance, and contributes to the high net primary productivity characteristic of these habitats. The purpose of this research was to characterize the phenology (fruiting/flowering status and seed count) and fecundity (seed viability and germination success) of S. alterniflora across three salt marsh sites in Chatham County, Georgia, of varying marine influence. Mature spikelets were collected from random individuals in Fall 2019 and 2020, seeds per spikelet were counted, and seeds were placed in cold, wet storage for three months. After this cold stratification period, seeds were tested for viability using the Tetrazolium test. Additionally, seeds collected in Fall 2019 were continually monitored for germination rate and survival during the growing season. Preliminary results show a significant effect of marsh site on the number of seeds per spikelet for the Fall 2019 collection, with significantly more seeds in the marsh furthest from the ocean. However, seed viability for the Fall 2019 collection was significantly greatest at the marsh site nearest to the ocean.