A simple, inexpensive, and field-relevant microcosm tidal simulator for use in marsh macrophyte studies1

A simple, inexpensive, and field-relevant microcosm tidal simulator for use in marsh macrophyte studies1

• Premise of the study: A microcosm unit with tidal simulation was developed to address the challenge of maintaining ecologically relevant tidal regimes while performing controlled greenhouse experiments on smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora . • Methods and Results: We designed a simple, inexpe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applications in plant sciences Vol. 2; no. 11
Main Authors: MacTavish, Rachel M., Cohen, Risa A.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Botanical Society of America 30-10-2014
Subjects:
Protocol Note
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Summary:• Premise of the study: A microcosm unit with tidal simulation was developed to address the challenge of maintaining ecologically relevant tidal regimes while performing controlled greenhouse experiments on smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora . • Methods and Results: We designed a simple, inexpensive, easily replicated microcosm unit with tidal simulation and tested whether S. alterniflora growth in microcosms with tidal simulation was similar to that of tidally influenced plants in the field on Sapelo Island, Georgia. After three months of exposure to either natural or simulated tidal treatment, plants in microcosms receiving tidal simulation had similar stem density, height, and above- and belowground biomass to plants in field plots. • Conclusions: The tidal simulator developed may provide an inexpensive, effective method for conducting studies on S. alterniflora and other tidally influenced plants in controlled settings to be used not only to complement field studies, but also in locations without coastal access.
Bibliography:The authors acknowledge the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Irene Burt Boole Botany Scholarship, and the Georgia Southern University Graduate Student Professional Development Fund for funding contributions. We also thank T. Smith and T. Peacock for materials consultation; D. Hurley, B. Miller, S. Riera, M. Peacock, and M. Miller for assistance with the study; and L. Svec and two anonymous reviewers whose comments greatly improved the manuscript.
ISSN:2168-0450
DOI:10.3732/apps.1400058