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Potential Ocean Dispersal of Cordgrass (Spartina spp.) from Core Infestations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Vanessa H. Morgan  and
Mark D. Sytsma
Vanessa H. Morgan
Affiliation:
Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751-ESM, Portland OR 97207
Mark D. Sytsma*
Affiliation:
Center for Lakes and Reservoirs, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751-ESM, Portland OR 97207
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: sytsmam@pdx.edu
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Abstract

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Nonnative Spartina species (cordgrasses) are widely distributed along the West Coast of North America, but have not invaded all bays with susceptible habitat. We used drift cards to assess the patterns and rates of potential Spartina propagule dispersal by ocean currents from estuaries with significant populations of one or more Spartina species. Cards were released monthly for 1 yr from Willapa Bay, Washington; Humboldt Bay, California; and San Francisco Bay, California; with recovery information reported by volunteers. Recovery rates averaged 37% for all release sites. Cards were commonly recovered close to their bay of release but were repeatedly found hundreds of kilometers both north and south of their release location. Cards most generally traveled northward from the release sites. Cards from Humboldt and Willapa bays were commonly recovered along the British Columbia coast, particularly in the winter. Cards released from Humboldt Bay were found farthest from their release sites. One card from Humboldt Bay traveled 2,800 km to Kodiak Island, Alaska. The timing of seed production, combined with prevailing currents, puts bays currently uninfested by Spartina at risk of repeated propagule loading by ocean currents. A coordinated coast-wide strategy for eradication of all nonnative Spartina will be critical to the success of individual bay-wide eradication efforts.

Keywords

Common cordgrass, Spartina anglica C. E. Hubbarddense-flowered cordgrass, Spartina densiflora Brongn.saltmeadow cordgrass, Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl.smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora LoiselDrift cardestuarineinvasivelong-distance dispersal
Type
Research
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , June 2013 , pp. 250 - 259
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America

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