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Abstract Detail


Ecological Section

Zuiderveen, Grady [1], Evans, Timothy M. [2], Luttenton, Mark [3].

Geographic Distribution of Native and Invasive Haplotypes of Phragmites australis along Michigan's West Coast.

Phragmites australis (common reed) consists of a native North American group with several genetic forms, and a non-native and highly invasive introduced group with a single genetic form. Little is known about the environmental factors that affect the distribution of native and non-native populations, and it is difficult to differentiate between the two based on physical characteristics alone. The west Michigan region provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate the relationship between environmental gradients and the spread of Phragmites. The Lake Michigan coast presents a strong temperature gradient from the north to the south, whereas a strong moisture gradient is found along the east-west axis from the Lake Michigan shoreline inland. Thus, the goals of this study are to: 1) determine the genetic composition of common reed populations along the west Michigan coast from southern (warmer) to northern (cooler) Lake Michigan, 2) determine the genetic composition of common reed populations along an east-west(wetter-drier) gradient from the west Michigan coast to more inland locations, 3) determine the current distribution of the exotic Phragmites in western Michigan, and 4) evaluate the importance of genotype in the distribution and abundance of the native common reed. Examination of 44 populations of Phragmites australis throughout western Michigan yielded only the non-native haplotype in the southern regions and a mixture of native and non-native haplotypes in the northern regions. A single population contained individuals of both haplotypes. No trends have been observed along the east-west axis.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - Grand Valley State University, Biology, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA
2 - Grand Valley State University, Biology, 232 Henry Hall, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA
3 - Grand Valley State University, Biology, 208 Henry Hall, 1 Campus Drive, Allendale, MI, 49401, USA

Keywords:
Phragmites australis
invasive species
genotype.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Battelle South/Convention Center
Date: Monday, July 9th, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEC003
Abstract ID:817


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