We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Congener comparison of native ( Zostera marina) and introduced ( Z. japonica) eelgrass at multiple scales within a Pacific Northwest estuary.
- Authors
Ruesink, Jennifer L.; Jae-Sang Hong; Wisehart, Lorena; Hacker, Sally D.; Dumbauld, Brett R.; Hessing-Lewis, Margot; Trimble, Alan C.
- Abstract
A congener comparison of native ( Zostera marina) and introduced ( Zostera japonica) eelgrasses was conducted in Willapa Bay, Washington, USA. Along intertidal transects, Z. japonica (0.1–1.5 m above mean lower low water [MLLW]) occurred above Z. marina (<0.6 m MLLW). Both species declined in shoot length at higher elevation, but Z. japonica was always shorter (20 vs. 100 cm) and occurred at higher shoot density (>3,800 vs. <360 m−2 in Z. marina). Z. japonica exhibited greater seasonal variation in biomass, with increases supported by both sustained asexual reproduction (rhizome branching) and recruitment from seeds (30 vs. <5% in Z. marina). Z. japonica’s successful invasion appears related to small size and high reproductive output, allowing it to spread quickly in a variable and stressful intertidal environment where competitive effects are low. Based on interannual changes in abundance, the native eelgrass has also recently increased in Willapa Bay, and one hypothesis involves “engineering” of suitable habitat at higher tidal elevations by Z. japonica.
- Subjects
WILLAPA Bay (Wash.); WASHINGTON (State); ZOSTERA; NATIVE plants; INTRODUCED plants; HABITATS
- Publication
Biological Invasions, 2010, Vol 12, Issue 6, p1773
- ISSN
1387-3547
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10530-009-9588-z