Phenolic Concentrations in Typha angustifolia Growing in Three Wetland Communities
Location
CSU 285
Start Date
26-4-2005 10:30 AM
End Date
26-4-2005 11:45 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Bradley Cook
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
After habitat destruction the affects of invasive species are the greatest threat to the existence of rare and endangered species. Many invasive species form monospecific stands and decrease biological diversity by reducing or eliminating competitors in previously diverse habitats. Many wetlands throughout North America are dominated by an exotic cattail, Typha angustifolia. Allelopathy, the chemical inhibition of one plant species by another is a mechanism of interference competition. Phenolics have been shown to be a major class of allelochemicals. The purpose of this study was to determine if concentrations of total soluble bulk phenolics (TSBP) in T. angustifolia are different when growing with other co-dominant wetland plants. We collected T. angustifolia plants from three different communities; 1) a monospecific stand of T. angustifolia, 2) T. angustifolia growing with Sagittaria latifolia, and 3) T. angustifolia growing with Scirpus fluviatilis. We measured concentration of TSBP for whole plants, leaves, stems and roots using a spectrophotometer. TSBP concentrations in whole plants and roots of T. angustifolia were greater when growing with S. latifolia than when T. angustifolia was growing alone or with S. fluviatilis. These results suggest that allelopathy may be a mechanism for the invasion of T. angustifolia in some wetland communities.
Phenolic Concentrations in Typha angustifolia Growing in Three Wetland Communities
CSU 285
After habitat destruction the affects of invasive species are the greatest threat to the existence of rare and endangered species. Many invasive species form monospecific stands and decrease biological diversity by reducing or eliminating competitors in previously diverse habitats. Many wetlands throughout North America are dominated by an exotic cattail, Typha angustifolia. Allelopathy, the chemical inhibition of one plant species by another is a mechanism of interference competition. Phenolics have been shown to be a major class of allelochemicals. The purpose of this study was to determine if concentrations of total soluble bulk phenolics (TSBP) in T. angustifolia are different when growing with other co-dominant wetland plants. We collected T. angustifolia plants from three different communities; 1) a monospecific stand of T. angustifolia, 2) T. angustifolia growing with Sagittaria latifolia, and 3) T. angustifolia growing with Scirpus fluviatilis. We measured concentration of TSBP for whole plants, leaves, stems and roots using a spectrophotometer. TSBP concentrations in whole plants and roots of T. angustifolia were greater when growing with S. latifolia than when T. angustifolia was growing alone or with S. fluviatilis. These results suggest that allelopathy may be a mechanism for the invasion of T. angustifolia in some wetland communities.
