Water-depth tolerances of the dominant emergent macrophytes of the Delta Marsh, Manitoba

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 1860-1867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa Squires ◽  
A. G. Van der Valk

The growth (shoot height, cumulative shoot length, shoot density, above- and below-ground biomass) of seven emergent species growing at five different water depths was measured for 2 years. These species belonged to three different ecological classes: (i) upper marsh species (Carex atherodes, Scolochloa festucacea, and Phragmites australis) that occupy sections of the water-depth gradient that are only seasonally flooded in the Delta Marsh; (ii) lower marsh species (Typha glauca and Scirpus lacutris spp. glaucus) that occupy permanently flooded areas; and (iii) drawdown species (Scirpus lacustris spp. validus and Scirpus maritimus) that become established temporarily during drawdowns. Upper marsh species could not adjust their shoot length if they were growing in water deeper than 20 cm. Lower marsh species were able to do this in water up to 70 cm deep. All three types survived for 1 or 2 years in water too deep for long-term persistence. Scirpus species survived as tubers in areas with water too deep for them to grow. The distributions of the seven species in the experiments overlapped considerably, and all species cooccurred at water depths to 70 cm after 2 years of flooding. The predicted distribution in the four dominant species along a water-depth gradient were consistent with their actual distributions in the Delta Marsh, but their predicted distributions overlapped much more than is the case in the field. Key words: emergent vegetation, experiment, water-depth tolerance, plant growth, distributions.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Teichert ◽  
Martin G. J. Löder ◽  
Ines Pyko ◽  
Marlene Mordek ◽  
Christian Schulbert ◽  
...  

AbstractThere is an increasing number of studies reporting microplastic (MP) contamination in the Arctic environment. We analysed MP abundance in samples from a marine Arctic ecosystem that has not been investigated in this context and that features a high biodiversity: hollow rhodoliths gouged by the bivalve Hiatella arctica. This bivalve is a filter feeder that potentially accumulates MPs and may therefore reflect MP contamination of the rhodolith ecosystem at northern Svalbard. Our analyses revealed that 100% of the examined specimens were contaminated with MP, ranging between one and 184 MP particles per bivalve in samples from two water depths. Polymer composition and abundance differed strongly between both water depths: samples from 40 m water depth showed a generally higher concentration of MPs and were clearly dominated by polystyrene, samples from 27 m water depth were more balanced in composition, mainly consisting of polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene. Long-term consequences of MP contamination in the investigated bivalve species and for the rhodolith bed ecosystem are yet unclear. However, the uptake of MPs may potentially impact H. arctica and consequently its functioning as ecosystem engineers in Arctic rhodolith beds.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 1117-1125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauchlan H. Fraser ◽  
Larry M. Feinstein

In the greenhouse, we investigated the growth and biomass allocation of three juvenile wetland species ( Carex tribuloides Wahl., Phalaris arundinacea L., and Rumex orbiculatus Gray) under three different water depths (–4, 0, and +2 cm relative to the soil surface), three N:P supply ratios (1:30, 1:1, 30:1), and two mycorrhizal inoculant treatments (arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi present, absent). After 6 weeks, the plants were harvested, separated to above- and below-ground parts, oven-dried, and weighed. The mycorrhizal inoculant significantly increased plant growth and reduced root:shoot ratios. At an N:P supply ratio of 30:1, plants with AM fungi had significantly greater biomass than those plants without AM fungi. However, at 1:1 N:P supply ratio, plants without AM fungi had greater biomass. Plants without AM fungi had higher root:shoot ratios at 0 and –4 cm water depth than plants with AM fungi. In general, C. tribuloides had the lowest growth, and unlike P. arundinacea and R. orbiculatus, was not affected by the water depth treatment. Growth of the wetland plants was limited more by nitrogen than by phosphorus. Our results suggest that at high N:P nutrient supply ratios and non-flooded conditions the growth of wetland seedlings can benefit by being inoculated with AM fungi.


2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. Siebentritt ◽  
George G. Ganf

Distribution of the emergent macrophytes Bolboschoenus medianus and Bolboschoenus caldwellii is dominated by the latter at regions higher on the elevation gradient, whereas the former is dominant further down the gradient. Monocultures and mixtures of plants were grown across a water-depth gradient in experimental ponds to determine whether distribution is due to abiotic factors, biotic factors, or a combination of both. Monocultures of each species tolerated exposure, showing little variation in relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR) or leaf area ratio (LAR). Survival when initially flooded was dependent on shoot height. Plants surviving inundation responded by increasing height through reallocation of biomass. The RGR of B. medianus was maintained across the water-depth gradient by increasing NAR as LAR declined. The RGR of B. caldwellii beyond a depth of −20 cm declined because reductions in LAR were not paralleled by increases in NAR. Mixtures of species growing at 20 cm and 0 cm indicated that biotic interactions occurred and that B. caldwellii was the dominant species. Neither species dominated at −60 cm, presumably because this was beyond the depth tolerated by both species. The study suggests that the zonation of B. medianus and B. caldwellii is attributable to a combination of both abiotic and biotic factors.


1990 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2339-2343 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Waters ◽  
J. M. Shay

In the Delta Marsh, Manitoba, the hybrid cattail Typha glauca Godr. forms large monodominant stands over a wide range of water depths (25–100 cm). Despite a considerable body of research concerning the origin and development of this important species, its ecology has received little attention. In field studies conducted in two freshwater wetland sites in the Delta Marsh, mean height and biomass of vegetative shoots of T. glauca increased significantly along a gradient of increasing water depth. Product–moment correlations between height and biomass were [Formula: see text]. Flowering shoots, in contrast, were less flexible in their response to depth. No significant differences associated with depth were found in reproductive biomass, height, spike width, spike length, or gap length of flowering spikes harvested in August. Differences in size of vegetative shoots were interpreted as a plastic response that may play a role in adaptation to a range of water depths. By adjusting the length of underwater shoot tissue, the ramet maintains relatively constant aerial shoot dimensions. Growth of shoots in deep water is enhanced by an intrinsic factor (juvenility) and an environmental factor (edge effect). Key words: Typha glauca, water depth, growth, plasticity, field study, morphometric response.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Waters ◽  
J. M. Shay

The response of a Typha glauca stand to a water depth gradient was studied in a small marsh pond in Delta Marsh, Manitoba. Weekly density counts and height measurements were made from May to October 1986 in permanent quadrats at five depths from 25 to 100 cm. Shoot mass was estimated from shoot height using a regression model based on destructive analyses. Shoot density declined significantly from 41 shoots/m2 at 25 cm to 12 shoots/m2 at 85 cm but increased at 100 cm to 38 shoots/m2. Shoot mass increased in shoots growing at water depths from 25 to 65 cm, resulting in relatively constant stand biomass over this depth range. Stand biomass declined at 85 cm and reached its maximum (1789.8 g/m2) at 100 cm. Frequency distributions of shoot size categories based on height deviated from normality and were negatively skewed at all depths, with the greatest skewness occurring at 100 cm. These population parameters were interpreted as evidence of a plastic population response to water depth. Key words: clonal macrophyte, frequency distributions, plasticity, shoot density, Typha glauca, water depth.


Author(s):  
Reginaldo M. de Oliveira ◽  
Rubens A. de Oliveira ◽  
Sanzio M. Vidigal ◽  
Ednaldo M. de Oliveira ◽  
Lorença B. Guimarães ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cauliflower is a brassica produced and consumed in Brazil, whose cultivation depends on the adequate supply of water and nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of irrigation depths and nitrogen doses on the production components and water yield of cauliflower hybrid Barcelona CMS. The treatments consisted of five irrigation water depths (0, 75, 100, 125 and 150% of the crop evapotranspiration) combined with five nitrogen doses (0, 75, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1). The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with a split-plot arrangement. The effects of these factors were evaluated using the response surface methodology. The water yield of the crop decreases with increasing irrigation water depth; therefore, the yield is higher when water replenishment is lower than the recommended. The highest estimated total inflorescence yield is 24,547.80 kg ha-1, with a inflorescence mean diameter of 19.60 cm, a inflorescence mean height of 12.25 cm, and an inflorescence fresh weight of 858.90 g plant-1, obtained with an irrigation water depth equivalent to 132.09% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and a nitrogen dose of 450 kg ha-1. The highest inflorescence diameter and height are obtained with an irrigation depth equivalent to 128.70 and 108.20% of ETc, respectively, and a nitrogen dose of 450 kg ha-1. Therefore, the best productivity response of the Barcelona CMS cauliflower hybrid can be obtained using an irrigation depth greater than the crop evapotranspiration, regardless of the nitrogen doses.


Author(s):  
Roger Slora ◽  
Stian Karlsen ◽  
Per Arne Osborg

There is an increasing demand for subsea electrical power transmission in the oil- and gas industry. Electrical power is mainly required for subsea pumps, compressors and for direct electrical heating of pipelines. The majority of subsea processing equipment is installed at water depths less than 1000 meters. However, projects located offshore Africa, Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico are reported to be in water depths down to 3000 meters. Hence, Nexans initiated a development programme to qualify a dynamic deep water power cable. The qualification programme was based on DNV-RP-A203. An overall project plan, consisting of feasibility study, concept selection and pre-engineering was outlined as defined in DNV-OSS-401. An armoured three-phase power cable concept assumed suspended from a semi-submersible vessel at 3000 m water depth was selected as qualification basis. As proven cable technology was selected, the overall qualification scope is classified as class 2 according to DNV-RP-A203. Presumed high conductor stress at 3000 m water depth made basis for the identified failure modes. An optimised prototype cable, with the aim of reducing the failure mode risks, was designed based on extensive testing and analyses of various test cables. Analyses confirmed that the prototype cable will withstand the extreme loads and fatigue damage during a service life of 30 years with good margins. The system integrity, consisting of prototype cable and end terminations, was verified by means of tension tests. The electrical integrity was intact after tensioning to 2040 kN, which corresponds to 13 000 m static water depth. A full scale flex test of the prototype cable verified the extreme and fatigue analyses. Hence, the prototype cable is qualified for 3000 m water depth.


Author(s):  
Jairo Bastos de Araujo ◽  
Roge´rio Diniz Machado ◽  
Cipriano Jose de Medeiros Junior

Petrobras developed a new kind of anchoring device known as Torpedo. This is a steel pile of appropriate weight and shape that is launched in a free fall procedure to be used as fixed anchoring point by any type of floating unit. There are two Torpedoes, T-43 and T-98 weighing 43 and 98 metric tons respectively. On October 2002 T-43 was tested offshore Brazil in Campos Basin. The successful results approved and certified by Bureau Veritas, and the need for a feasible anchoring system for new Petrobras Units in deep water fields of Campos Basin led to the development of a Torpedo with High Holding Power. Petrobras FPSO P-50, a VLCC that is being converted with a spread-mooring configuration will be installed in Albacora Leste field in the second semester of 2004. Its mooring analysis showed that the required holding power for the mooring system would be very high. Drag embedment anchors option would require four big Anchor Handling Vessels for anchor tensioning operations at 1400 m water depth. For this purpose T-98 was designed and its field tests were completed in April 2003. This paper discusses T-98 design, building, tests and ABS certification for FPSO P-50.


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