Abstract

The structure, clonal grwoth, shoot modules dynamics and rhizome respiratory rate of the Phragmites longivalvis circular patch were studied in a 15-year-old reclaimed land on Mado of the western Korea for two growing seasons. Clonal growth by P. longivalvis resulted in subpopulations of shoot modules which may be separated into pioneer, mature and senile growth phase. The radial growth of circular patch was 208 cm per a year. The shoot phytomass, shoot height and spike frequency were the lowest in the senile phase, and were the highest in the mature phase. The maximum shoot phytomass of pioneer, mature and senile phase in August was 347, 536 and 195g/$\m^2$ for the first year, and 609, 748 and 248g/$\m^2$ for the second year, respectively. The birth rates of shoot modules were the highest during the early spring. Of all modules, the percemtage of spring cohort of pioneer, mature and senile growth phase were 52, 82 and 70% for the first year, and 83, 88 and 85% for the second year, respectively. The flowering shoots were only derived from spring cohorts. The death rates of shoot modules of the pioneer and mature phase were the highest in October. The module is an annual semelparous plant though the genet is a perennial iteroparous plant. Their survivorship curve was negatively (Deevey type I). The density of shoot modules of the pioneer, mature and senile growth phase increased as much as 4.0, 1.6 and 2.3 times for one year, respectively. The respiratory rate was the highest in the lowest in the senile growth phase.

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