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Modelling of in situ oxygen transport and aerobic metabolism in the hydrophyte Eleocharis sphacelata R. Br.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

B.K. Sorrell
Affiliation:
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, PO Box 921, Albury NSW 2640, Australia
H. Brix
Affiliation:
Department of Plant Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Aarhus, Nordlandsvej 68, DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark
P.I. Boon
Affiliation:
Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre, PO Box 921, Albury NSW 2640, Australia
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Extract

Eleocharis sphacelata (Cyperaceae) is a common emergent hydrophyte in wetlands throughout Australasia, and is notable as a particularly large member of its genus, able to grow in water up to 2 m deep (Sainty & Jacobs 1981). It is a perennial species, supporting live emergent shoots throughout the year, and grows only on flooded sediments. In Australia, the water temperature in E. sphacelata wetlands remains mild in winter (c. 6°C) but is high (25–30°C) during summer (Brix et al. 1992; Sorrell & Boon 1992). In this paper we present an analysis of the mechanisms of internal ventilation in this species and their ability to aerate the submerged tissue.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1994

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