Edaphic controls on sedge invasion in a tropical wetland assessed with electromagnetic induction

Atwell, Melissa; Wuddivira, Mark; Gobin, Judith; Robinson, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7290-4867. 2013 Edaphic controls on sedge invasion in a tropical wetland assessed with electromagnetic induction. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 77 (5). 1865-1874. 10.2136/sssaj2013.04.0138

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Abstract/Summary

Invasion of sedge in the wetlands of Trinidad is causing an increase in wetland dry season fires and a reduction in coastal pasture, adversely affecting the livelihoods of people living and working in the wetlands. The purpose of our research was to determine if soil properties and water quality could help to explain why the area of sedge is expanding. We conducted an observational study, using geophysical methods and standard sampling techniques to determine the relationship between grass and sedge zonation and soil properties and water quality. Our findings showed that both the electrical conductivity of the soil solution at saturation (ECe) and surface water electrical conductivity (ECw) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in sedge communities than in grass communities (mean ECe of sedge = 4.4 dS/m; mean ECe grass = 3.7 dS/m; mean ECw of sedge = 0.5 dS/m; mean ECw of grass = 0.2 dS/m). Our interpretation is that changes to the local hydrology by channelizing and levying rivers, reducing wetland flooding, is enhancing saline intrusion and facilitating the invasion of brackish water sedge species into non-salt-tolerant grassland areas.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.2136/sssaj2013.04.0138
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	0361-5995
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Agriculture and Soil Science
Date made live:	29 Nov 2013 12:11 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/503557

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.2136/sssaj2013.04.0138

Programmes:

CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.3 - Deliver effective advice, models and applied science ...

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Emmett

ISSN:

0361-5995

NORA Subject Terms:

Ecology and Environment
Agriculture and Soil Science