Responses of arctic sedges to release from grazing: Leaf elongation in two species of Carex
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Authors: P. M. Kotanen, and R. L. Jefferies
Date: 1989
Journal: Canadian Journal of Botany
Volume: 67
Number: 5
Pages: 1414-1419
Summary of Methods: The effects of snow goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) grazing on Carex leaf growth were measured in salt and freshwater marshes along La Pérouse Bay in Manitoba, Canada (58° 04' N, 94° 03' W). Carex subspathacea and Carex x flavicans shoots and leaves were monitored in paired plots which were either open or exclosed to grazing. Ungrazed plots were covered with wire mesh for the growing season, while grazed plots were open to geese and then exclosed for a week at which time marked leaves were measured for growth. This process was repeated five times during the summer.
Article Summary / Main Points: Overall, Carex leaf elongation was similar between grazed leaves and ungrazed leaves. However, during the summer, the rate of elongation decreased as plants matured. Older leaves grew at a much slower rate than younger leaves. At several sites grazing increased leaf elongation, while several ungrazed sites had higher rates of leaf growth, but the majority of sites were similar.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: chen caerulescens caerulescens, lesser snow goose, carex x flavicans, carex subspathacea, grazing release, leaf elongation
Annotation: This study provides evidence that goose herbivory does not promote leaf elongation. These results could be specific to the Carex species studied due to the unique climatic conditions in the arctic, therefore limiting the widespread application of these findings without additional research. Additional results from this study can be found in Kotanen and Jefferies 1989 (Can J. of Bot:1408-1413) and Kotanen and Jefferies 1997 (Ecosci: 179-182) also available in the RSIS database.
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