Mentor/s
Professor Steele
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
This study explored the role of salt marshes in supporting marine ecosystems, focusing on Spartina alterniflora and its lignin content, a key plant structural element. This research investigated how lignin correlates with age, restoration condition, and size of S. alterniflora. We hypothesized that younger, smaller plants from remnant areas would exhibit lower lignin content. Samples from remnant, recolonizing, and planted locations were collected at Stratford Point, Connecticut, and the acetyl bromide method was used to measure lignin in protein free-cell walls from each sample. A Two-factor ANOVA revealed significant differences between locations, but not between age groups or their interaction with location. Recolonizing plants contained the most lignin, followed by plants from remnant and planted locations. A One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey multiple comparisons found no significant difference in height between remnant and planted areas but significantly taller plants in recolonizing locations. Diameter significantly varied among all three locations; recolonizing having the largest diameter, then remnant, and finally planted. While not statistically significant ANCOVA suggested a trend where taller plants contained more lignin than shorter plants. Variation of lignin content was primarily attributed to location differences and potentially its correlation with height. Further examination of lignin in salt marshes is warranted, as it could be an important quantitative asset in assessing plant strength amidst increasing storm intensity and wave energy.
College and Major available
College of Arts and Sciences, Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
Start Day/Time
4-26-2024 12:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-26-2024 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Exploring the Interplay Among Lignin Content: A Comparative Analysis of Age, Restoration Condition and Shoot Size in Spartina alterniflora
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building University Commons
This study explored the role of salt marshes in supporting marine ecosystems, focusing on Spartina alterniflora and its lignin content, a key plant structural element. This research investigated how lignin correlates with age, restoration condition, and size of S. alterniflora. We hypothesized that younger, smaller plants from remnant areas would exhibit lower lignin content. Samples from remnant, recolonizing, and planted locations were collected at Stratford Point, Connecticut, and the acetyl bromide method was used to measure lignin in protein free-cell walls from each sample. A Two-factor ANOVA revealed significant differences between locations, but not between age groups or their interaction with location. Recolonizing plants contained the most lignin, followed by plants from remnant and planted locations. A One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey multiple comparisons found no significant difference in height between remnant and planted areas but significantly taller plants in recolonizing locations. Diameter significantly varied among all three locations; recolonizing having the largest diameter, then remnant, and finally planted. While not statistically significant ANCOVA suggested a trend where taller plants contained more lignin than shorter plants. Variation of lignin content was primarily attributed to location differences and potentially its correlation with height. Further examination of lignin in salt marshes is warranted, as it could be an important quantitative asset in assessing plant strength amidst increasing storm intensity and wave energy.
Students' Information
Biology Major, Chemistry Minor, Honors student, Graduating 2024