Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

PC19 Benthic Processes and Ecology

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2001

Location: Southwest Hall

Kangas, P, , University of Maryland, College Park, USA, pk31@umail.umd.edu

McCarty, G, , USDA Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, USA, gmccarty@asrr.arsusda.gov

SIMULATING SKUNK CABBAGE BIOMASS DYNAMICS

Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) is an unusual wetland plant species that initiates its growing season early in the spring due to physiological warming. It dominates certain sites with organic soils and groundwater seepage in the eastern United States. A simulation model is presented of the seasonal dynamics of skunk cabbage biomass, including aboveground and belowground components. Field data from a riparian forest site in central Maryland is used for calibration. Peak biomass at this site is 296 g/m2 for aboveground biomass and 1180 g/m2 for belowground biomass. The model is constructed in the energy circuit language and it is simulated in EXCEL. A realistic annual pattern is described with an early start to the growing season and a late summer peak for biomass. Simulations of nutrient enrichment are conducted to evaluate possible uses of skunk cabbage for carbon sequestration and water quality management.

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Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Albuquerque 2001

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