The timing and quantification of phenological events of a salt marsh species- The case of Salicornia tegetaria (S.Steffen, L.Mucina and G. Kadereit) Piirainen and G.Kadereit

The drivers of plant phenology are vital to the ecological functioning of habitats. Salicornia tegetaria is an ecologically important species found in South African estuaries. The aim of this study was to determine and quantify the phenological patterns and output of this species in the Langebaan Lagoon. We investigated plant growth, reproductive phenology and seed production in relation to local environmental conditions over one year of development. Salt marsh vegetation was dense, increased significantly during the winter rainfall period and peaked in spring. Flowering phase was from November to June, and peaked in summer in December with a monthly mean (+/- SE) of 77.24 +/- 28.16 inflorescences per m2. Seed production was from December to June, and peaked in summer in February with a monthly mean of 2 952.51 +/- 599.84 seeds per m2. During a drought period, S. tegetaria presented an earlier reproductive phenology and longer vegetative season than previously reported, driven by temperature, rainfall and porewater characteristics. (c) 2023 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.