Wetland Final Exam Study Guide

Front 1

Abiotic factors that promote invasiveness in introduced plant species

Back 1

disturbance of habitat (soil disturbance, change in hydrology, nutrient enrichment)

natural distribution systems (birds, stream delivery, wind)

Front 2

Biotic factors that promote invasiveness in introduced plant species

Back 2

lack of predators, resources not allocated for defense go instead toward reproduction, persistant propagule production, wide-ranging tolerance, high competitive ability for resources

Front 3

Genetic factors that promote invasiveness in introduced plant species

Back 3

phenotypic plasticity, hybridization between natives and non-natives, allelopathy

Front 4

Characteristics of Phalaris arundinacea that have lead to its invasive character (abiotic, biotic, and genetic)

Back 4

Abiotic: likes disturbed areas, pulsing/saturated conditions and nutrient enrichment

Biotic: winter hardiness and early spring growth, long growing season, grow aerenchyma and tillers and adventitious roots, form dense canopies when wet, dense rhizomes when dry

Genetic: hybridization increases fitness, high genetic diversity due to multiple introductions, phenotypic plasticity, cryptic invasion

Front 5

Phalaris arundinacea (RCG) effects on plant, arthropod, and small mammal diversity

Back 5

plants: decrease in species richnes
arthropods: decrease in richness and abundance
Small mammals: shift in composition, less mice (eat seeds and arthropods), more voles and shrews (herbivores)

Front 6

Evidence of Phragmities surge as a non-native strain.

Evidence of Phragmites as an ecological release of a native genotype

Back 6

Initially the genotype was only found in limited samples until 1910
1. Probably came in mid-1800s, staying local and then spreading with highways and railroads
2. the fact that it's found in historical samples suggest it's native

Front 7

Useful criteria in assessing the use of biological control agents for invasive plant species

Back 7

1. monophagous = only eats that single species
2. impact on target plant
3. distribution, life history, and environmental context
4. mortality factors
5. competition among multiple herbivores

Front 8

Morphological features that distinguish members of Carex from other Cyperaceae members

Back 8

leaves are 3-raked, stems are triangular, perigynium present

Front 9

Carex floral arrangements

Back 9

1. Separate staminate and pistillate spikes
2. Androgynous = male flowers above female flowers
3. Gynecandrous = female flowers above male flowers

Front 10

Leaf and culm features of Carex

Back 10

Culm = entire stem of plant (leaves, bracts, flowers)
Leaves are composed of blades, which meet the sheath at a ligule. Leaves directly below an inflorescence are called bracts.

Front 11

Major wetland stressors to which hydrophytes adapt

Back 11

Fluctuating water levels, dry periods, extended inundation, temperature variability, low oxygen levels, high salt concentrations

Front 12

Morphological adaptations to anoxic conditions (AND ONE EXAMPLE EACH)

Back 12

Aerenchyma (Yellow Water Lily)
Adventitious Roots (Phragmites)
Stem Hypertrophy (Pond Cypress)
Fluted Trunks (Pin Oak)
Stem Elongation (Marsh Marigold)
Shallow Root Systems (Red Maple)
Lenticels (Apples)
Prop Roots (Red Mangrove)
Pneumatophores (Bald Cypress "knees")

Front 13

Physiological adaptations to anoxic conditions

Back 13

Thermo-osmotic gradient
Humidity-induced diffusion
Reduced water uptake
Anaerobic respiration
Altered nutrient uptake
Adaptations to toxicity

Front 14

Whole plant strategies adaptive to wetland conditions

Back 14

1. Timing of flower and seed production to coincide with non-flooded conditions
2. Propagules that can survive extended flooding
3. Seeds that can germinate under flooded conditions
4. Extensive and persistent seed bank
5. Buoyant seeds that germinate when they reach non-flooded locations
6. Vivipary = seeds germinate while still on the tree

Front 15

Usefulness of Carex bromoides in VP deliniation

Back 15

Grows in tussucks right on pool edge in the spring, when the water level is the highest. Also shows where surface drainage occurs.

Front 16

Benefits of conservation easement to landowner

Back 16

1. Know that land will be protected in perpetuity
2. Lower land value leads to lower estate tax

Front 17

Carnivory mechanisms in purple pitcher plant

Back 17

1. attraction (leaf coloration, extrafloral nectaries)
2. retention (lure of nectar lower in cup)
3. trapping (imbricate shingles w/ waxy coating, downward trichomes, can't fly directly from water)
4. killing (drown, assisted by digestive enzymes)
5. digestion (broken down by digestive enzymes or bacteria)
6. nutrients absorbed (into vascular system via glands)

Front 18

Tolerators versus Regulators

Back 18

Tolerators = functional across a broad range of environmental conditions, internal environment similar to external
Regulators = control internal environmental conditions to within a narrow range