A Comparison of the Elemental Composition of Leaf Tissue of Spartina Patens and Spartina Alternifora in Louisiana’s Coastal Marshes

Abstract

Elemental concentrations in leaf tissue can identify limiting conditions in crops and can be useful in managing and restoring marshes. Coastal management and restoration plans frequently include Spartina spp. because they are common plants in coastal wetlands across North America. Researchers frequently compare results of stoichiometric studies among Spartina spp. to corroborate results, although their stoichiometry may not be comparable. We compare the stoichiometry of paired samples of Spartina patens and Spartina alterniflora collected across Louisiana. Overall differences in stoichiometry between species, seasonal changes, and effects of porewater chemistry were quantified. Manganese (Mn) concentrations and calcium (Ca) concentrations were higher in S. alterniflora and the difference in [Ca] increased seasonally. Sodium concentrations were similar, except during prolonged inundation. Short flooding durations decreased carbon (C):nitrogen (N) without increasing [Mn] or flooding stress in both species.

Keywords:

• spartina patens
• Spartina alterniflora
• tissue testing
• marsh
• wetland
• management
• restoration
• stoichiometry
• stress indicators