Responses of Four Peatland Emergent Macrophytes to Salinity and Short Salinity Pulses

Abstract Sea-level rise intensifies saltwater influx into coastal wetlands causing osmotic stress and probably changing vegetation composition. To determine especially the impact of salinity pulses that occur during flooding events, Typha latifolia , Carex acutiformis Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Phragmites australis were exposed to different regimes consisting control (permanently freshwater permanently brackish water) alternating water with exposure durations (2 days – 2 fresh; 4 fresh). Plant height, leaf area, chlorophyll fluorescence, root:shoot ratio photosynthetic pigments measured. Salinity suppressed growth T. resulting in shorter smaller mean area higher ratio. had Photosynthetic pigment fluorescence both species not affected. Shorter but frequent (alternate freshwater, freshwater) decreased while C. was did affect height P. S. tabernaemontani. showed signs successful acclimation through a:carotenoid high Δyield at low irradiance. Our results imply increasing seawater peatlands, may experience retardation or even be replaced by since they are more resilient against pulses.