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Environmental Variables Influencing Sexual Reproduction of Sea Oats, Uniola Paniculata (Poaceae) Across a Natural Dune Field on Bear Island, North Carolina

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Environmental Variables Influencing Sexual Reproduction of Sea Oats, Uniola Paniculata (Poaceae) Across a Natural Dune Field on Bear Island, North Carolina ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES INFLUENCING SEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF SEA OATS, UNIOLA PANICULATA (POACEAE) ACROSS A NATURAL DUNE FIELD ON BEAR ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA S. Katharine Braly A Thesis Submitted to the University of North Carolina Wilmington in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Center for Marine Science University of North Carolina Wilmington 2009 Approved by Advisory Committee ______Dr. Ann Stapleton________ ______Dr. Dargan Frierson______ __________Dr. Paul Hosier_________ Chair Accepted by ______________________________ Dean, Graduate School TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...............................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... vii INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................................1 The beach system .................................................................................................................1 Study site ..............................................................................................................................1 Uniola paniculata .................................................................................................................2 Reproduction ........................................................................................................................2 Purpose .................................................................................................................................3 MATERIALS AND METHODS .....................................................................................................3 Study area and site establishment .........................................................................................3 Culm collections ...................................................................................................................6 Soil collections ......................................................................................................................7 Germination ..........................................................................................................................7 Statistical analysis .................................................................................................................7 RESULTS ........................................................................................................................................9 Correlations and data cleaning ..............................................................................................9 Response variable relationships ...........................................................................................9 System summary ..................................................................................................................9 Principal Components Analysis .........................................................................................11 Seed weight and germination .............................................................................................15 ii Foredune ............................................................................................................................20 Interdune ............................................................................................................................20 Backdune............................................................................................................................22 DISCUSSION ................................................................................................................................22 System summary .................................................................................................................24 Seed weight and germination ..............................................................................................25 Dune zones ..........................................................................................................................27 Foredune .............................................................................................................................28 Interdune .............................................................................................................................29 Backdune.............................................................................................................................29 LITERATURE CITED ..................................................................................................................31 iii ABSTRACT Reproductive output of sea oats, Uniola paniculata was examined and compared to environmental variables. Seed production in this native dune grass is low and is thought to diminish with distance from the ocean. Establishment and sampling from 103 sub-sample sites was used to evaluate reproductive ecology of U. paniculata on the barrier island, Hammocks Beach State Park, North Carolina. Seed number per culm was similar throughout the dune system, however culm density was greatest close to the ocean and highly correlated r >.7 with seed number per site (10m 2). Thus, culm density can be used to proxy reproductive output. Positive ions in the soil proved significant for reproductive output across the dune system as a whole. Seed weight and proportion of seeds germinating were positively correlated and increased with distance from the ocean. The dune field was divided into zones, foredune, interdune, and backdune, using natural separations in sub-sample sites supported by regression trees. Each zone revealed different controlling variables indicating a shift in factors influencing reproductive output. The increase of seed weight with distance to the ocean may give insight to growers and managers regarding important conservation zones and productive areas for seed collection. Culm density in the entire dune system can be characterized by a positive correlation with positive ions (mg/kg)in the soil, an increase in seed weight and germination with distance away from the ocean, and unique dune zones with different controlling variables. Keywords: coastal plants; dunes; Sea Oats; Uniola paniculata ; reproductive output iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my parents for supporting me in this journey from an early age; cultivating my love for the coast as well as nature in general. Also I must extend many thanks to my committee members Dr. Paul Hosier, Dr. Ann Stapleton, Dr. Dargan Frierson, and Dr. Steven Brewer. I would specifically like to thank Dr. Paul Hosier for his insight on how important it is to tell ‘The Story’. I would also like to thank Dylan for his knowledgeable advice and patience. Lastly a warm and loving thanks to all of my family for their calming support, advocacy, and strength. v LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Correlation matrix of response variables using Pearson correlations and (p-value). A negative value indicates an inverse relationship ................................................................10 2. Averages and standard deviation for all sample sites of environmental and biotic variables measured . ............................................................................................................12 3. Randomized eigenvalues compared to data derived eigenvalues. Percent of variation in the data explained by each axis ..................................................................................................13 4. Soil nutrient composition reported for past and present U. paniculata study sites around the southern United States ..........................................................................................................23 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Bear Island is located in southeastern North Carolina ..........................................................4 2. Bear Island with mapped sample site locations ....................................................................5 3. A. Distance regressed with axis1, shows a line of best fit as a cubic function. B. Pattern of iron exponential/cubic growth with distance from the ocean. .......................14 4. A. Regression of log of magnesium (mg/kg) against log of culm density B. Non-linear regression of distance and the log of magnesium (mg/kg). .................................................16 5. Regression tree of culm density based on binary recursive partitioning ............................17 6. Quartiles and outliers of the log of culm density ................................................................18 7. Quartiles and outliers for A. seed weight in each dune zone and B. percent of seeds germinated in each dune zone .............................................................................................19 8 Regression of culm density on log copper (mg/kg) in the soil in the foredune sample sites .....................................................................................................................................21 vii INTRODUCTION The beach system --Complexity in coastal systems is due to the unique attributes of the system
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