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EmilyNichollsCapstone.pdf (1.73 MB)

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The Differing Quality of Two Wetland Plant Communities and the Possible Impact on Threatened Rails

Nicholls, Emily R
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556731087405328

Abstract Details

2019, Bachelor of Science, Ashland University, Biology/Toxicology.
This study observed differences in the quality of two marshes’ plant communities at the Black Fork Wetlands Preserve to monitor potential changes in plant community structure due to invasive reed canary grass, Phalaris arundinacea. Two threatened bird species (Rallus limicola and Porzana carolina rails), preferring a blend of woody and emergent vegetation, have been repeatedly observed at a native plant marsh but only once at a P. arundinacea-dominated boardwalk marsh potentially due to differences in plant community structure. Species richness, evenness, and abundance was quantified at each site and biomass data collected for Sparganium androcladum, Carex camosa, Typhus latifolia along with P. arundinacea. Plant identifications were used to calculate the Floristic Quality Assessment Index and Simpson’s Index as a measure of quality for each marsh. Aerial images were used to map the boardwalk site and measure percent cover of P. arundinacea. Percent cover was estimated to be 40%. The boardwalk marsh had less diversity than the rail marsh; approximately 90% of the vegetation sampled in the boardwalk marsh was P. arundinacea while S. androcladum at the rail marsh ranged from 20-70% across the areas of the transect. P. arundinacea had up to three times as much biomass as S. androcladum, indicating a denser community. The boardwalk marsh lacked woody vegetation within sampling plots while the rail marsh had both Cornus stolonifera and Salix nigra. Differences in the vegetation present and their differing distributions as a result of P. arundinacea growth may impact habitat suitability for fauna such as threatened rails.
Patricia Saunders, Dr. (Advisor)
Dolly Crawford, Dr. (Advisor)
Merril Tawse (Advisor)
48 p.
Biology; Botany
ecology; wetlands; environmental science; plants; GIS; drone; UAV; invasive species

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Nicholls, E. R. (2019). The Differing Quality of Two Wetland Plant Communities and the Possible Impact on Threatened Rails [Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556731087405328

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Nicholls, Emily. The Differing Quality of Two Wetland Plant Communities and the Possible Impact on Threatened Rails. 2019. Ashland University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556731087405328.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Nicholls, Emily. "The Differing Quality of Two Wetland Plant Communities and the Possible Impact on Threatened Rails." Undergraduate thesis, Ashland University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=auhonors1556731087405328

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

auhonors1556731087405328
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© 2019, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ashland University Honors Theses and OhioLINK.