Spartina densiflora in SW Iberian Peninsula: Ongoing Ecological Research and Applications for Salt Marsh Restoration Humboldt Bay – June 2010 ‘Conrades on Spartina densiflora’ CONGRATULATIONS! YOU ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB FIGHTING SPARTINA INVASIONS!!! (However in some places we have a long way to walk…) (… and in other places we need to start walking…) S. densiflora x foliosa in SF Bay, CA, USA S. densiflora x maritima in SW Iberian Peninsula Spartina densiflora in Andalusia: a species with a wide ecological range. ! Guadalquivir Marshes, Cádiz, SW Iberian Peninsula Plant communities invaded by Spartina densiflora in SW Iberian Peninsula. Leñosas de marisma alta Mares de Spartina densiflora Quenopodiáceas y otras leñosas Spartina densiflora Pastizal de cubetas Elevation con quenopodiáceas hipersalinas Cabecera de caños Sarcocornia perennis y Halimione portulacoides en bordes de marisma Spartina maritima sobre fangos no consolidados - + Flooding period The most affected plants by Spartina densiflora invasion in Andalusia are rare middle marsh species. Middle marsh in Piedras Marshes, Huelva, SW Iberian Peninsula Inula crithmoides Artemisia chritmfolia Suaeda maritima Triglochin barrelieri Aster tripolium Limonium sp. Frankenia sp. Puccinelia sp. Middle marsh in Humboldt Bay, California, USA Perennial population Biennial population (ecotypes or phenotipyc plasticity??) Lower distribution limit of Spartina densiflora Spartina densiflora –> 1.46 m SHZ Spartina maritima –> 1.41 m / 1.57 m SHZ Transplant experiment in Odiel Marshes, SW Spain Spartina densiflora along North America West Coast: a narrower ecological range than in the Iberian Peninsula? ? Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor, Washington, USA A key-point to fight Spartina densiflora invasion: well-conservated native salt marsh communities. Distichlis spicata Spartina densiflora High marsh in Humboldt Bay, California, USA Spartina maritima in Odiel Marshes, SW Iberian Peninsula Experiment of competition between Spartina densiflora and S. maritima in Odiel Marshes, SW Iberian Peninsula Salt marshes and Global Warming Zostera noltii transplant Removing Spartina densiflora Spartina maritima as a biotool Microhabitats diversification after S. densiflora removal (terrestrialization) Impacts of S. densiflora invasion on animal communities MacroinvertebratesMacroinvertebrates H' Hmax J 2,0 a D a 1,5 b a a 1,0 b a a a a a 0,5 a 0,0 Marisma restaurada Marisma degradada Marisma conservada Regional/national erradication ? Spartina densiflora along West Huelva Coast Spartina densiflora in Guadiana estuary Early detection networks: brackish, middle and sandy marshes closed by river and bay mouths, and disburted marshes, at least every two years. Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor, Washington, USA Spartina densiflora establishment. Some very fresh results. Seed bank? Germination in darkness. Spartina densiflora growing together with Atriplex portulacoides in a middle marsh in SW Iberian Peninsula Sand burrial and S. densiflora establishment 120 100 80 60 40 20 Seedling emergence(%) Seedling 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 Germination rate (%) 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 Seedling suvivorship (%) suvivorship Seedling 0 40 30 20 10 Days to fist emergence fist to Days 0 Spartina densiflora 40 Atriplex portulacoides 30 20 10 Germination rate (%) rate Germination 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor, Washington, USA Depth (cm) Permanent flooding and S. densiflora establishment Sánchez Marsh, San Francisco Bay, CA, USA Permanent flooding and S. densiflora establishment 80 Germ.% Emer.% 60 % 40 20 0 0 2 4 6 8 Depth (cm) Wrack burrial and S. densiflora establishment Humboldt Bay, CA, USA Wrack burrial and S. densiflora establishment 120 Germination rate Emergence rate 100 80 % 60 40 20 0 0 2 4 6 8 80 First dormancy Second dormancy 60 % 40 20 0 0 2 4 6 8 Depth Allelopathic effects??? Glicophytes and S. densiflora establishment Humboldt Bay, CA, USA Experiment of competition between Spartina densiflora and the glycophytes Phragmites australis and Typha dominguensis. How do ‘Spartina densiflora seas’ develop?? How can we erradicate them??? Guadiana Marshes, Huelva, SW Iberian Peninsula ‘Spartina seas’ formation: Gradual or fast process?? Disturbances: fires, river runoffs, human-mediated disturbances, etc. Tinto Marshes, Huelva, SW Iberian Peninsula Fighting ‘Spartina seas’ Flooding, re-burning, cattle, herbicides and/or moving… Odiel Marshes, Huelva, SW Iberian Peninsula ¡GRACIAS! Volunteers fighting S. densiflora in Odiel Marshes.