Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) restoration in southeast Louisiana: The relative effects of herbivory, flooding, competition, and macronutrients
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Authors: R. S. Myers, G. P. Shaffer, and D. W. Llewellyn
Date: 1995
Journal: Wetlands
Volume: 15
Number: 2
Pages: 141-148
Summary of Methods: The differential effects of herbivory, competition of entangling vegetation, nutrient augmentation, and flood stress on growth rates of baldcypress seedlings were examined in Manchac Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Louisiana. One of the following treatments or treatment combinations were received by seedlings: fertilized vs. unfertilized, managed (removal of entangling vines) vs. unmanaged, and five forms of herbivore protection. The diameters and heights of all saplings were measured in October. The difference between final and initial diameter and height, were analyzed.
Article Summary / Main Points: The lower the elevation the slower trees grew in diameter. Seedlings protected with either Tubex or PVC, in contrast to no protection and Tanglefoot, showed increased growth in diameter. When fertilizer was added seedlings diameter growth was twice that of those with no fertilizer. Seedlings with tangling vines removed had nearly a two-fold increase in diameter growth than when tangling vines remained, though tree height for seedlings growing in the tangled vine was nearly three times taller than seedlings that had the vines removed. The effects of fertilization and removal of vines was much greater for trees protected by with PVC than those unprotected or protected with Tanglefoot. The factors limiting regeneration and restoration are primarily biotic, namely herbivory by nutria and competition of entangling vines.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 131A Southern Mississippi River Alluvium 152A Eastern Gulf Coast Flatwoods
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Grazing Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: baldcypress, taxodium distichum, nutria, myocastor coypus, restoration, louisiana, pontchartrain
Annotation: This replicated study conducted over one year and its results are applicable for wetlands and swamps grazed by nutria and have tangling vines. The results illustrate the effects of herbivory, competition of entangling vegetation, nutrient augmentation and flood stress on growth rates of baldcypress in wetlands and swamps that are being restored.
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