Seasonal growth patterns of <i>Nyssa</i><i>sylvatica</i> var <i>biflora</i>, <i>Nyssa</i><i>aquatica</i>, and <i>Taxodium</i><i>distichum</i> s affected <i>by</i> hydrologic regime

Hydrologic regime is a major influence on the growth of wetland plants. We examined seasonal growth patterns of three wetland tree species, Nyssasylvatica var. biflora (Walter) Sargent, Nyssaaquatica L., and Taxodiumdistichum (L.) Rich., to determine responses to variations in hydrologie regime. Five study sites were chosen in two river-floodplain swamps to represent a gradient of hydrologie regimes, and the weekly changes in diameter of over 600 mature trees at these sites were measured with dendrometer bands throughout two growing seasons. Total growth, time of growth cessation, and length of the growth phase of canopy trees of all three species differed significantly among hydrologie regimes. Nyssasylvatica var. biflora and N. aquatica achieved greatest growth under deep periodic flooding. Maximum growth of T. distichum occurred with shallow permanent flooding. Subcanopy trees differed less among hydrologic regimes than canopy trees. These results suggest that modifications of natural hydrologie regimes can cause short-term changes in tree growth and have long-term effects on the dynamics of forested wetlands. </jats:p

FWS/OBS-82/04

The recognition and appreciation that natural wetlands are a valuable, non-renewable resource that can provide critical or essential habitat for natural vegetation and wildlife, including non-game and endangered species, are becoming wide-spread among government, academic, and even commercial organizations. This concern has led to establishment of Federal and State regulations (for example Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands) to protect these natural systems and their associated flora and fauna

Carolina bays of the Savannah River Plant

Much of the research to date on the Carolina bays of the Savannah River Plant and elsewhere has focused on certain species or on environmental features. Different levels of detail exist for different groups of organisms and reflect the diverse interests of previous investigators. This report summarizes aspects of research to date and presents data from numerous studies. 70 refs., 14 figs., 12 tabs