Impact of pedological conditions on the distribution of Salicornia species (Southern North Sea coast)

摘要

AbstractThe zonation of differentSalicorniaspecies within saltmarshes has been described controversially in prior publications. The aim of this study is to detect substantial relations between pedological conditions and the distribution of differentSalicorniaspecies (Salicornia strictaDumort. 1868,Salicornia europaeaL. 1753, andSalicornia procumbensSm1813). 37 sites were investigated regarding vegetation pattern, soil morphology and physicochemical and chemical soil properties. A multivariate approach indicate a clear differentiation of the sites dominated by differentSalicorniaspecies in respect to sand content, redox potential and water content. However, results of a detailed statistical assessment indicate that redox potential and salinity are the most relevant parameters.Salicornia strictasites are characterized by a variety of grain sizes, reduced conditions in the rhizosphere, highest water contents (median: 71.5 Vol-%) and lowest Eh values (median: ?19.0?mV), indicating the best adaptation to anaerobic soil conditions.Salicornia procumbensoccurs on aerated soils (median Eh: 455.6?mV) with high sand contents independent to position relative to mean high tide level. Exhibiting the lowest (11.5‰) and highest soil salinities (41.7‰), even developing in salt pans (136‰),Salicornia europaeafeature a great ecological amplitude regarding temporal variations of salinity. These findings underline the ecotypic and phenotypic plasticity ofSalicorniaspecies and offer a promising approach for further experimental settings focussing on phenotypic adaptions and ecological amplitudes ofSalicorniataxa and ecotypes.]]>