Effect of water table on growth of three New Zealand Sphagnum species: implications for S. cristatum management
1999
Stokes, J. R. | Alspach, P. A. | Stanley, C. J.
Sphagnum moss is the subject of an important export industry on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Selective harvesting of the commercially preferred S. cristatum has resulted in concern that the less valued S. subnitens may become dominant. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of water table height on growth of S. cristatum, S. subnitens and S. falcatulum to aid in development of appropriate wetland management techniques. The growth of S. cristatum, S. falcatulum and S. subnitens, in hummock, mid-hummock, and hollow environments, was examined in a transplant trial conducted in a West Coast wetland. S. cristatum generally performed better than either S. falcatulum or S. subnitens having superior extension growth, dry matter accumulation, specific strand weight, and bifurcation. Results suggest that S. cristatum could achieve yields of 13 t ha–¹ yr–¹ with appropriate management. Domination of wetlands by S. subnitens could be minimized by harvesting both S. cristatum and S. subnitens, reseeding sites with S. cristatum fragments, and compression of post-harvest surface close to the water table. Heavy harvesting of S. cristatum from wet hollows may encourage the rapid establishment of S. falcatulum at the expense of S. cristatum. End product variability could be reduced if hummock S. cristatum were harvested separately from lawn S. cristatum.
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