Growth Dynamics of Equisetum fluviatile at Lakeshore Swamps in the Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China

ABSTRACT

The shoot density, shoot length, and above-ground biomass of Equisetum fluviatile communities were characterized during the growing season at six lakes in the Jiuzhaigou wetland system during 2007. Shoot length, shoot density, and above-ground biomass of E. fluviatile showed significant seasonal changes in all sites. The shoot length increased significantly from April to August except in seasonally flooded sites in Arrow-Bamboo Lake. Stepwise multiple regressions indicated that shoot density was correlated with water depth in all growth months. Total nitrogen in soil correlated positively with the maximum above-ground biomass.