The Effect of Salinity and Waterlogging on Growth and Survival of Baldcypress and Chinese Tallow Seedlings

Authors

  • William H. Conner

Keywords:

Wetlands, salt tolerance, flooding, swamps, coastal forests

Abstract

Growth, biomass, and survival of four-month-old baldcypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Rich.) and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.) seedlings were examined in an experiment varying water levels (watered, flooded) and salinity levels (0, 2, and 10 ppt, plus a simulated storm surge with 32 ppt water). All seedlings survived to the end of the experiment except for those flooded with 10 ppt water. Baldcypress survived two weeks whereas Chinese tallow survived for 6 weeks in 10 ppt water. Height growth of both species was unaffected by flooding with 0 and 2 ppt water, but heights of plants watered with 10 ppt water were significantly lower. Diameter growth was much more variable. Baldcypress final diameters were greater 10 flooded treatments than in drained treatments. Chinese tallow diameters were greater in drained treatments. Root and shoot biomasses were not significantly different among treatments for baldcypress, but were two to five times less in flooded treatments for Chinese tallow. Baldcypress is more tolerant of flooding. Chinese tallow can survive longer at higher salinities, thus increasing its chances of survival in coastal areas where salinity levels are rising.

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Published

1994-10-20

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 4 (1994): Journal of Coastal Research

Section

Special Thematic Section

License

Authorization for personal use is granted by the Coastal Education and Research Foundation [CERF]. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright for their article is transferred to the publisher if the article is accepted for publication. Assignment of copyright is not required, however, from authors who work for organizations which do not permit such assignment, The copyright covers the exclusive rights to reprduce and distribute the article, inclduing reprints, photographic reproductions, microform, or any other reproductions of a similar nature, and translations.