Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh
Abstract In many temperate marshes, the surface microtopography is determined by specific growth forms of dominant wetland plants. The formation of long-lasting distinct tussocks by some Carex species represents a growth adaptation, which significantly changes the ecosystem and facilitates the survi...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98067-z |
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| author | Jiří Dušek Jan Novotný Barbora Navrátilová Markéta Mejdová Lukáš Kokrda Stanislav Stellner Andrea Kučerová |
| author_facet | Jiří Dušek Jan Novotný Barbora Navrátilová Markéta Mejdová Lukáš Kokrda Stanislav Stellner Andrea Kučerová |
| author_sort | Jiří Dušek |
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| description | Abstract In many temperate marshes, the surface microtopography is determined by specific growth forms of dominant wetland plants. The formation of long-lasting distinct tussocks by some Carex species represents a growth adaptation, which significantly changes the ecosystem and facilitates the survival of other wetland plants. Therefore, the gradual decline of such an ecosystem engineer may affect both species diversity and the surface microtopography of wetlands in the long term. Using in situ terrestrial laser scanning, we analyzed tussock characteristics in five different stands typical of a temperate sedge-grass marsh to determine potential microtopography changes due to an altered water regime. Tussocks of Carex acuta were different in 2D area, perimeter, height, and roundness. The distances among tussocks were similar and distributed evenly in all vegetation stands. The highest tussocks occurred in stands dominated by Carex acuta and in Carex acuta and Calamagrostis canescens mixture stands. Glyceria maxima and Acorus calamus significantly modified the height and the shape of tussocks in contrast to Calamagrostis canescens, which affects tussocks at least and uses them as habitats. The characteristics of tussocks in mixed stands were influenced by the growth characteristics of all co-occurring dominant plants (ecosystem engineers). Frequent shallow short-term flooding is necessary to maintain the current microtopography in the studied sedge-grass marsh as it promotes the dominance of tussock forming wetland plants and excludes ruderal or invasive terrestrial plant species. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e1831a24793649058eeea2a6381c3ad6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e1831a24793649058eeea2a6381c3ad62025-08-20T02:27:53ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-98067-zPlant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marshJiří Dušek0Jan Novotný1Barbora Navrátilová2Markéta Mejdová3Lukáš Kokrda4Stanislav Stellner5Andrea Kučerová6Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v. v. i.Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of SciencesAbstract In many temperate marshes, the surface microtopography is determined by specific growth forms of dominant wetland plants. The formation of long-lasting distinct tussocks by some Carex species represents a growth adaptation, which significantly changes the ecosystem and facilitates the survival of other wetland plants. Therefore, the gradual decline of such an ecosystem engineer may affect both species diversity and the surface microtopography of wetlands in the long term. Using in situ terrestrial laser scanning, we analyzed tussock characteristics in five different stands typical of a temperate sedge-grass marsh to determine potential microtopography changes due to an altered water regime. Tussocks of Carex acuta were different in 2D area, perimeter, height, and roundness. The distances among tussocks were similar and distributed evenly in all vegetation stands. The highest tussocks occurred in stands dominated by Carex acuta and in Carex acuta and Calamagrostis canescens mixture stands. Glyceria maxima and Acorus calamus significantly modified the height and the shape of tussocks in contrast to Calamagrostis canescens, which affects tussocks at least and uses them as habitats. The characteristics of tussocks in mixed stands were influenced by the growth characteristics of all co-occurring dominant plants (ecosystem engineers). Frequent shallow short-term flooding is necessary to maintain the current microtopography in the studied sedge-grass marsh as it promotes the dominance of tussock forming wetland plants and excludes ruderal or invasive terrestrial plant species.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98067-zEcologyEcosystem engineerGround-based LiDARPoint cloudSedgesTerrestrial laser scanning (TLS) |
| spellingShingle | Jiří Dušek Jan Novotný Barbora Navrátilová Markéta Mejdová Lukáš Kokrda Stanislav Stellner Andrea Kučerová Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh Scientific Reports Ecology Ecosystem engineer Ground-based LiDAR Point cloud Sedges Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) |
| title | Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh |
| title_full | Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh |
| title_fullStr | Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh |
| title_short | Plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge-grass marsh |
| title_sort | plant species as ecological engineers of microtopography in a temperate sedge grass marsh |
| topic | Ecology Ecosystem engineer Ground-based LiDAR Point cloud Sedges Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98067-z |
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