Spartina alterniflora
Saltmarsh Cordgrass
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Introduction
Introduction
Spartina alterniflora, also known as saltmarsh cordgrass, is a grass commonly found in saltmarshes in the coastal regions of the United States. It can also be found in many other countries and has become an invasive species.
The primary literature article I selected was an experiment done on the coast of China. In the article, scientists assessed how much the invasive species expanded over the span of 35 years.
Background
Background
Taxonomy
Taxonomy
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Spartina
Species: Spartina Alterniflora
General Characteristics
General Characteristics
This organism is eukaryotic and multicellular
Classified as a producer - uses photosynthesis to gather nutrients
Utilizes sexual reproduction
Has no pest or disease problems
Thrives in wet clay, loam, or sandy soils
Can tolerate a variety of harsh environmental conditions
Provides a habitat for birds, muskrats, fish, and shellfish
Primary Literature
Primary Literature
Continual expansion of Spartina alterniflora in the temperate and subtropical coastal zones of China during 1985–2020
Continual expansion of Spartina alterniflora in the temperate and subtropical coastal zones of China during 1985–2020
Authors: Xi Zhang, Xiangming Xiao, Xinxin Wang, Xiao Xu, Shiyun Qiu, Lianghao Pan, Jun Ma, Ruiting Ju, Jihua Wu, Bo Li
Experiment that took place from 1985 to 2020 on the coast of China
Scientists examined how much the invasive species, saltmarsh cordgrass, expanded over the allotted time period
Data Collection
Data Collection
Spartina alterniflora continuously expanded over the coastal region of China from 1990 and 2018 (Zhang et al.)
In 1990 there were 89 km² of saltmarsh cordgrass and in 2018 there were 518 km² (Zhang et al.)
Consisted of three phases: rapid growth from 1990 to 2000, moderate growth from 2000 to 2010, and rapid growth from 2010 to 2018 (Zhang et al.)
Growth and loss frequencies were higher at low altitudes and lower at high altitudes (Zhang et al.)
Conclusion
Conclusion
Based on this research, we can confidently classify Spartina alterniflora as an invasive species and can recognize how quickly its growth rate is.
This discovery is important because if we do not do something to slow down the rapid growth of this organism it will take over many coastal ecosystems and throw them off balance. Although it provides a habitat for many other species, more research needs to be done to find a solution to its extreme invasiveness.
References
References
Hoffman, M. T., & Holcombe, J. (n.d.). "Spartina Alterniflora (Smooth Cordgrass)" (On-line), Gardenia. Retrieved January 30, 2023 at https://www.gardenia.net/plant/spartina-alterniflora.
Zhang, Xi, Xiao, Xiangming, Wang, Xinxin, Xu, Xiao, Qui, Shiyun, Pan, Lianghao, Ma, Jun, Ju, Ruiting, Wu, Jihua, & Li, Bo. 2023. “Continual expansion of Spartina alterniflora in the temperate and subtropical coastal zones of China during 1985–2020.” International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation.
Images courtesy of:
https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/spartina-alterniflora/
https://www.seashoretoforestfloor.com/smooth-cordgrass-spartina-alterniflora/
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/spartina-alterniflora-many-spiked-cord-grass-english-school.html
https://longislandsoundconservationsociety.com/plant-spartina-alterniflora/
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