Effects of competition from the invasive Cordgrass Spartina densiflora on Native Atriplex portulacoides

Abstract

Invasion by the South American cordgrass Spartina densiflora Brongn. in European salt marshes is causing concern about potential impacts to native plant communities., S. densiflora colonization of mid-marsh habitats may be slowed by native Atriplex portulacoides L., but the mechanism behind this negative interaction is not known. The aim of this work was to study the establishment and growth response of S. densiflora seedlings grow-ing in a competitive environment with mature A. portulacoides plants in controlled greenhouse conditions. With this aim we measured establishment, growth, foliar nutrients, and photosynthetic pigments of S. densiflora plants grown with and without A. portulacoides. Results showed that S. densiflora seedlings readily established in mature stands of A. portulacoides. Every Spartina clump growing with Atriplex survived, producing fewer tillers with simi-lar heights than when growing without competition, which was reflected on lower above-ground biomass. These results indicated that S. densiflora was affected at the above-ground level by the interspecific competition with Atriplex, but the invasive cordgrass was able to keep similar below-ground bio-mass with and without competition, resulting in a decrease of below-ground biomass of Atriplex when competing with Spartina. Our results in green-house controlled conditions were in agreement with our field observations where S. densiflora plants have been observed growing within A. portu-lacoides monospecific communities.