Salinity-Productivity Relationships of Selected Plant Species from the Suisun Marsh, California

摘要

The influence of salinity on the productivity of four plant species occurring or potentially occurring in Suisun Marsh was investigated with laboratory measurement of growth, photosynthetic responses and competitive interactions, and field measurements of water relations, growth and carbohydrate reserves. Special emphasis was placed on the responses of Scirpus robustus and its competitors because of its importance as a waterfowl food source. The results showed that photosynthesis and growth were much more reduced by increased salinity in Scirpus than in Spartina folisa.