Changes in a Myriophyllum spicatum L. community following 2, 4-D treatment / by Kurt D. Getsinger.

Author/creator Getsinger, Kurt D. author.
Other author Davis, Graham J., degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production1976.
Description66 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary On 13 and 14 July, 1974, approximately 350 ha of Myriophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) in the Kitty Hawk Bay - southern Currituck Sound area of North Carolina, were treated with a granular 20% acid equivalent formulation of the butoxyethanol ester of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at the rate of 112 kg/ha (100 lbs/ acre). Native submersed macrophytes associated with the M. spicatum stands included Ruppia mar̕tima, Najas guadalupensis and Potamoget̤n pectinatus. The M. spicatum communities thrived under conditions of low ambient ortho-phosphate concentrations. Pre- and post-treatment nutrient analyses generally indicated low phosphorus and nitrogen in plant tissues. Myriophyllum spicatum was eliminated and native species density and biomass decreased six weeks after treatment. Water turbidity increased during the post-treatment period, accompanied by a cyanophytoplankton bloom. Deterioration of M. spicatum in isolated coves near the treatment area continued to occur eight weeks after the initial treatment. Accelerated growth and re-establishment of native submersed macrophytes did not occur during the 1974 growing season. Myriophyllum spicatum and native submersed macrophytes recovered slowly during the one year, post-treatment growing season. A successional pattern in the Kitty Hawk Bay treatment area appeared to develop with the charophyte Nitella hyallna as the "pioneer" species. Observations at the end of the 1975 study pointed to the re-establishment of a vascular submersed macrophyte community dominated by M. spicatum.
Local noteJoyner-"Presented to the faculty of the Department of Biology ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Science in Biology."
General notePresented to the Faculty of the Department of Biology
General noteAdvisor: Graham J. Davis
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 1976
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

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