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Litter accumulation promotes dominance of invasive species of cattails (Typha spp.) in Lake Ontario wetlands

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Abstract

Wetlands of the Great Lakes region are increasingly dominated by invasive cattails (Typha angustifolia andTypha Xglauca) which form dense stands of live and dead biomass that may reduce plant diversity. We hypothesized that differences in plant litter accumulation explain cattail dominance under certain hydrologic regimes related to wetland hydrogeologic setting. We investigated cattail abundance, litter accumulation, and species density in three bayside wetlands hydrologically connected and three protected wetlands hydrologically isolated from Lake Ontario. Mean litter biomass was higher in bayside wetlands (1.7–2.6 vs. 0.4–1.2 kg/m2) and negatively related to species density (p = 0.004) in both settings. A litter addition experiment demonstrated that fallen litter negatively influenced seedling survival (p = 0.061) and species density (p = 0.024). Decomposition rates accounted only partially for higher overall litter accumulation in bayside wetlands. Growing season water levels in bayside wetlands tracked Lake Ontario levels and showed less variation than protected wetlands. More stable water levels and higher density of standing dead stems in bayside wetlands may limit litter fragmentation, resulting in greater litter accumulation. Thus, anthropogenic and natural factors affecting cattail litter production, fragmentation, and decomposition could influence species diversity in coastal wetlands.

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  1. Lynn E. Vaccaro

    Present address: Michigan Sea Grant, University of Michigan, 440 Church St., Samuel T. Dana Building, 48109, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Fernow Hall, 14853, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Lynn E. Vaccaro

  2. Department of Biology & Microbiology, South Dakota State University, SAG 110, Box 2207B, 57007, Brookings, South Dakota, USA

    Barbara L. Bedford & Carol A. Johnston

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  1. Lynn E. Vaccaro
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  2. Barbara L. Bedford
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Correspondence to Lynn E. Vaccaro.

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Vaccaro, L.E., Bedford, B.L. & Johnston, C.A. Litter accumulation promotes dominance of invasive species of cattails (Typha spp.) in Lake Ontario wetlands. Wetlands 29, 1036–1048 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1672/08-28.1

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