Master's Theses

Document Type

Thesis - campus only access

Date of Award

Fall 1998

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

Advisor

Joseph R. Thompson

Abstract

Seed bank composition and floristic species diversity were examined in the spring seep zone of the marsh ridge community at Haberer’s Salt Marsh in central Kansas. One hundred cores were collected in the spring seep zone on each of the four sampling dates: July, October, January, and April. Elutriation and flotation techniques combined with tetrazolium viability testing were used to enumerate seeds in each sample. Seed back densities did not change significantly between sampling dates. Species diversity was greater in July than in October, January, or April. Seed banks of Schoenoplectus pungens, Triglochin maritime, and Ruppia maritime were persistent and Type IV (Thompson and Grime, 1979). Bromus japonicas and Bromus tectorum seed banks were transient and Type II. Species compositions of the seed bank and vegetation in the spring seep zone were not similar. Species richness was greater in the seed bank than in the vegetation. Triglochin maritime, and Ruppia maritime were the most abundant species in the seed bank and exhibited a clumped distribution. Unusual mounds in the spring seep zone, saline conditions, and a constant flow of water from the springs appear to influence seed bank and vegetation compositions and dynamics in Haberer’s Salt Marsh.

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Rights

© 1998 Andrew G. Burr

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