Seasonal variation in plant biomass in a salt marsh community in northern Turkey

Abstract

Seasonal pattern in above- and belowground live and dead biomass in a salt marsh community was investigated. Multiple peaks were observed in terms of all biomass types. Maximum aboveground live and dead biomass was observed from the middle of spring to the end of autumn. Belowground dead biomass values were as usually lower than the other biomass types and usually peaked in autumn and winter months. There were significant differences between species and localities for all biomass types, while significant differences were only found for localities with respect to root/shoot ratio by multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance. Mostly significant correlations were found between different biomass types and ion concentrations and EC. The highest annual production (gm-2) in aboveground vegetation was found for Salicornia prostrata in the first locality. However, the highest turnover rate (yr -1) in aboveground vegetation was found for Spergularia marina in the first locality. The highest annual production (gm-2) and the highest turnover rate (yr-1) in aboveground vegetation were found for Artemisia santonicum in the second locality.