This project aimed to investigate the growth and distribution of Phalaris arundinacea L. in relation to its surrounding wetland environment in Aber Bog, of the Endrick Marshes within the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, Dunbartonshire, Strathclyde.
I hypothesised that water depth played an important role in determining the growth of P arundinacea. A depth of 0.04m of standing water was where maximum productivity was reached and I suggested that P arundinacea was intolerant of a decrease in water depth to 0.01m and an increase of water depth to 0.12m. Leaf number was not controlled by environmental conditions unlike height, biomass, width of canopy and flowering for both P. arundinacea and Carex species.
To test these hypotheses a laboratory experiment was set up growing P arundinacea in varying water depth and varying light intensities. From these results I concluded that water depth did not alter the productivity of P arundinacea. Clear trends in the results were seen, the biggest plants growing in the 0.07m water depth and smaller plants found in the 0.02m and 0.15m water depth. I concluded the experimental design was not robust enough to test this hypothesis effectively. I also concluded that a 50% decrease in the available light decrease P arundinacea's productivity significantly, and from these results I believe P arundinacea's main survival strategy is one of competition rather than stress tolerance.
Lastly, I concluded that to stop the progression of P arundinacea and reduce the population further in Aber Bog, an overall water depth of 0.16m or greater may help.
Reedswamp Vegetation of the Endrick Marshes - Bibliography
Curran JC and Poodle T (1991) Hydrological characteristics of Loch Lomond - are they changing? In Loch Lomond 1991 Symposium report. University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde
Eccles CRJ (1989) Vegetation Survey of the Aber Bogs. May - June 1988. ARO Mid Strathclyde. Nature Conservancy Council Report, now Scottish National Heritage
Idle ET (1978) The Flora of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve. Nature 19, 403-421
Jones GE (1991) Loch Lomond Climate, In Loch Lomond 1991. Symposium Report. University of Glasgow and University of Strathclyde
Slack HD (1957) Studies on Loch Lomond. Blackie, Glasgow pp133