Response of Spartina patens to increasing levels of salinity in rapidly subsiding marshes of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain
Pezeshki SR, Delaune RD, Patrick WH. 1987. Response of Spartina patens to increasing levels of salinity in rapidly subsiding marshes of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 24(3):389-399
Spartina patens plants were collected from a deltaic plain brackish marsh located on the Louisiana Gulf Coast. The plants were examined in terms of stomatal behavior when placed in varying salinity levels ranging from 4 to 22 ppt. This study intended to simulate the actual salt water intrusion increase that is occurring due to the subsiding Mississippi River deltaic plain. Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis was reduced signifcantly as the salt level increased. This study suggests that salt water intrusion is contributing to the rapid rate of marsh deterioration in Louisiana. Table 1: Mean stomatal conductance, net photosynthesis, and leaf water potential for control, low salt, and high salt treatments.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Pezeshki, S; Delaune, R; Patrick, W
- Units
- JELA
- Keywords
- Marshes & Bogs, Mississippi River Deltaic Basin LA, Plant Studies, Salinity, Salt Water Intrusion, wiregrass (Spartina patens)