DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/9QW5-MD33
Defense Date
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. Julie Zinnert
Second Advisor
Dr. Donald Young
Abstract
Dune grasses are integral to biogeomorphic feedbacks that create and alter foredunes and barrier island stability. In a glasshouse study, Ammophila breviligulata Fern. and Uniola paniculata L. were planted together and subjected to sand burial to quantify morphological and physiological response. Ammophila breviligulata physiological and morphological performance declined when planted with U. paniculata but U. paniculata was not affected when planted with A. breviligulata. Burial had a positive effect on A. breviligulata and U. paniculata as indicated by electron transport rate and total biomass at the end of the experiment. Due to their different growth strategies, A. breviligulata and U. paniculata form continuous versus hummocky dunes, respectively. As global temperatures rise and U. paniculata migrates into A. breviligulata dominated habitat, A. breviligulata performance may diminish, and changes in dune form could result in altered island stability via increased overwash. Foredune community structure could also change due to the shift in dominant species which could alter dune succession.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
4-25-2016