Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Invasive ...

<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Third</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Invasive SpartinaChapter 2: Spartina Distribution and Spreadplants were planted in <strong>the</strong> field in <strong>the</strong> spring <strong>of</strong> 1981 into anarea <strong>of</strong> 1,000-1,300 m 2 . However, most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spartina saltmarsh <strong>of</strong> coastal China was developed from 0.5 kg <strong>of</strong> seedsfrom North Carolina.( Chung et al. 1985) Three morphs <strong>of</strong> S.alterniflora were identified by Xu & Zhou (1985) and Qin etal. (1985) based on <strong>the</strong>ir morphological data (culm height,leaf size, ear length and biomass), respectively, collectedfrom <strong>the</strong> garden <strong>of</strong> Nanjing University (Table 1) and fieldplots in Luoyuan Bay <strong>of</strong> East Sea (Table 2). Both <strong>the</strong>experiments showed that Georgia Spartina had <strong>the</strong> tallestand strongest culms, and <strong>the</strong> highest biomass. Meanwhile,Chen and Chung (1991) reported that <strong>the</strong>re were threegenetic types in <strong>the</strong>ir studies <strong>of</strong> isozymes <strong>of</strong> EST, MDH andPOD <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> seedlings (Table 3). Since <strong>the</strong> people liked toplant higher and stronger individuals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> species, most <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> S. alterniflora plantations in China are now tall form(Georgia population) S. alterniflora. The tall form Spartinahad significant variations in survivorship, culm height andbiomass along <strong>the</strong> elevational gradients <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Chinese coast(Chen & Chung 1991).IMPORTANT HUMAN FORCES DRIVING SPARTINAINVASIONSIn 1962, <strong>the</strong> Chinese Government decided to introduceSpartina from its native habitats for agricultural goalsaccording to <strong>the</strong> scientists’ recommendations. In 1963, S.anglica was introduced from Europe by <strong>the</strong> Chinesegovernment. In 1969, <strong>the</strong> first workshop was held by <strong>the</strong>government <strong>of</strong> Zhejiang Province to accelerate development<strong>of</strong> S. anglica marshes. From 1973 to 1978, severalworkshops were held by <strong>the</strong> governments <strong>of</strong> Jiangsu andShandong provinces for <strong>the</strong> same purposes. Here we givesome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> events that are associated with Spartina inchronological order:• 1978: Spartina research group <strong>of</strong> Nanjing University received<strong>the</strong> National Award for Natural Science <strong>of</strong>China.• 1978: The Institute <strong>of</strong> Spartina and Tideland Developmentat Nanjing University was founded by China’sMinistry <strong>of</strong> Education, toge<strong>the</strong>r with China’s Committee<strong>of</strong> Science and Technology, China’s Ministry <strong>of</strong> Agricultureand China’s Ocean Bureau. The institute consisted<strong>of</strong> 17 members.• 1978-1979: Two workshops were held by China’sCommittee <strong>of</strong> Science and Technology to accelerate introduction<strong>of</strong> S. anglica.• 1979: Three o<strong>the</strong>r Spartina species were introduced byPr<strong>of</strong>essor Chung-Hsin Chung, funded by <strong>the</strong> Chinesegovernment.• 1985: The first Chinese Spartina research monograph“Research Advances in Spartina — Achievement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Past 22 Years”, was published as a special issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Journal <strong>of</strong> Nanjing University; <strong>the</strong> monograph containedthree reviews, 26 reports and 24 short communications.• 1985-1990: Several honors were awarded to Pr<strong>of</strong>.Chung by different Chinese government departments forhis distinguished achievement in introduction <strong>of</strong>Spartina.• 1992: A monograph, Applied Studies on Spartina (eds.Qin, P. and C.H. Chung), was published by OceanPress; it contained 30 papers.• 1993: Pr<strong>of</strong>. Chung received an award from <strong>the</strong> Society<strong>of</strong> Wetland Scientists.• 1995: Pr<strong>of</strong>. Chung received a Distinguished FellowAward from Ohio State University.• 1996: The Spartina Research Group <strong>of</strong> Nanjing Universityreceived a Distinguished Contribution Award from<strong>the</strong> <strong>International</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Ecological Engineering.• 1998: S. patens was again introduced into China as asalt-tolerant economic species.CURRENT STATUS OF SPARTINA INVASIONS IN CHINAIn 1985, S. anglica plantation, with human aid, reachedto an area <strong>of</strong> 36,000 ha, and was distributed in 83 coastalcounties in China. The species’ range had increased by 330times from 1966 to 1985. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> plants came from 21English individuals. After that time, however, <strong>the</strong> specieshas declined without human plantings. Only 50 ha <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>plantations still existed in 2000 (Table 4). The species hasbeen also experiencing dieback because it cannot produceTable 4. Area changes and <strong>the</strong>ir causes <strong>of</strong> Spartina in China. (Partialdata from Chung et al. 1985.)Year Spartina anglicaArea Causes(ha)1966 110 Planting and naturalreproduction1973 2,000 Planting and naturalreproduction1978 10,295 Planting and naturalreproduction1980 31,590 Planting and naturalreproduction1985 36,000 Planting and naturalreproductionArea(ha)Spartina alternifloraCauses0.13 Planting260 Planting and naturalreproduction2000