Effects of invasion by the common reed (<i>phragmites australis</i>) on carbon transformations in a Great Lakes marsh

<p>The common reed (<em>Phragmites australis</em>) is a highly productive invasive grass that alters the wetland physiochemical environment and produces toxic secondary metabolites. Plant litter decomposition, effects of water level on soil microbes, and soil microbial response to leachate additions were investigated in<em> Phragmites</em> invaded and pre-invaded <em>Typha</em> sites. Less litter mass was lost from <em>Phragmites</em> than <em>Typha</em> in both sites during the initial 144 days. Annual mass loss from both species’ litter was greater in the <em>Phragmites</em> site. Lower water levels resulted in greater CO₂ than CH₄ production in both <em>Phragmites</em> and <em>Typha</em> soils. Higher water levels resulted in greater CH₄ than CO₂ production in both soils and greater CH4 production in <em>Typha</em> than <em>Phragmites</em> soils. Introducing <em>Phragmites</em> leachate to <em>Typha</em> soils resulted in less (not significant) microbial respiration than <em>Typha</em> leachate or dH₂O. Post-invasion environmental conditions enhanced gaseous carbon release, but high primary productivity resulted in net carbon storage.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year dc:date.available

2012

Author dc:creator

• Duke, Shawn Trevor

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kristin E. Judd, PhD, Chair
• Steven N. Francoeur, PhD
• Gary L. Hannan, PhD

• carbon
• Great Lakes
• Phragmites
• Typha
• Biology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/437

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1806