Study

Vegetation and soil properties in restored wetlands near Lake Taihu, China

  • Published source details Lu J., Wang H., Wang W. & Yin C. (2007) Vegetation and soil properties in restored wetlands near Lake Taihu, China. Hydrobiologia, 581, 151-159.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Raise water level to restore/create freshwater marshes from other land uses

Action Link
Marsh and Swamp Conservation
  1. Raise water level to restore/create freshwater marshes from other land uses

    A site comparison study in 2003–2004 of six lakeshore marshes in eastern China (Lu et al. 2007) reported that restored marshes (developing in abandoned rice paddies with breached weirs) developed a similar plant community to a nearby reference marsh, with similar species richness and biomass. Unless specified, statistical significance was not assessed. The overall plant community composition in restored marshes became more similar to a reference marsh over time. A 2-year-old restored marsh was 64% similar to the reference marsh. A 15-year-old restored marsh was 97% similar to the reference marsh, dominated by common reed Phragmites communis, Amur silvergrass Miscanthus sacchariflorus and Manchurian wild rice Zizania latifolia. The restored marshes contained 10–13 plant species (vs reference: 9) and 1,270–2,100 g/m2 plant biomass (vs reference: 1,590 g/m2). Methods: In March–October 2003 and 2004, vegetation was surveyed in 1-m2 quadrats (number not clearly reported) in six lakeshore marshes. Biomass was dried before weighing. Five marshes had been restored from rice paddies: the weirs around the paddies had been damaged 2, 5, 10 or 15 years previously to allow lake water to flow in and out naturally. The other, reference marsh was “less disturbed” and had not been cultivated for >30 years.

    (Summarised by: Nigel Taylor)

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