Morphological plasticity of Primula nutans to hummock-and-hollow microsites in an alpine wetland

Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is common in wetlands of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The physical environment of hummocks contrasts strongly with that of hollows. To address how Primula nutans Georgi, a herbaceous species broadly distributed on the plateau, can inhabit both hummocks and hollows, we investigated the plasticity of its morphology and biomass growth in relation to the environmental variables during the growing season. The results are as follows: (1) total daily photosynthetic photon flux density, maximum soil temperature, and diurnal soil temperature range were significantly larger on the hummocks than in the hollows; (2) individual ramets had smaller leaves, higher leaf mass per unit area, and shorter petiole and peduncle length on the hummocks, but leaf and root dry weights per ramet differed little between microsites; (3) P. nutans allocated most of its dry mass to peduncles and flowers and the proportion of reproductive mass was significantly higher for plants in the hollows than on the hummocks; (4) the coefficients of variation of most morphological and biometric parameters was higher on hummocks than in hollows. The results suggest that P. nutans favors hummocks but can tolerate hollows through morphological adjustments in that the mass investment to peduncles and flowers is much larger in plants in the hollows than hummocks.     

Characteristics of leaf photosynthesis and simulated individual carbon budget in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Primula nutans</Emphasis> under contrasting light and temperature conditions

Primula nutans Georgi is widely distributed in hummock-and-hollow wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. To assess the ecophysiology of this species in responding to microenvironments, we examined the photosynthetic characteristics and individual carbon gain of plants growing in different microsites from a hummock-and-hollow wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and under laboratory conditions. Plants from wetland hummock microsites showed significantly higher light-saturated photosynthetic CO₂ uptake (A _max) than those from microsites in hollows at a controlled temperature of 15°C in leaf chamber. Leaf dark respiration rate (R) was only significantly higher in plants from hummocks than hollows at the measuring temperature of 35°C. Optimum temperature for A _max was 15°C for all plants in the field despite different microsites. In plants growing under laboratory conditions differing in light and temperature, both A _max and R were significantly higher under higher growth light (photosynthetic photon flux density, PPFD: 800 or 400 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) than low light of 90 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. No statistically significant differences in A _max and R existed in plants differing in growing temperatures. Estimates derived from the photosynthetic parameters of field plants, and microsite environmental measures including PPFD, air temperature and soil temperature showed that the optimum mean daily temperature for net daily carbon gain was around 10°C and the net daily carbon gain was largely limited under lower daily total PPFD. These results suggest that the differences in A _max and R in P. nutans are strongly affected by growing light regimes but not by temperature regimes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Small-scale disturbances spread along trophic chains: leaf-cutting ant nests, plants, aphids, and tending ants

Small-scale disturbances caused by animals often modify soil resource availability and may also affect plant attributes. Changes in the phenotype of plants growing on disturbed, nutrient-enriched microsites may influence the distribution and abundance of associated insects. We evaluated how the high nutrient availability generated by leaf-cutting ant nests in a Patagonian desert steppe may spread along the trophic chain, affecting the phenotype of two thistle species, the abundance of a specialist aphid and the composition of the associated assemblage of tending ants. Plants of the thistle species Carduus nutans and Onopordum acanthium growing in piles of waste material generated by leaf-cutting ant nests (i.e., refuse dumps) had more leaves, inflorescences and higher foliar nitrogen content than those in non-nest soils. Overall, plants in refuse dumps showed higher abundance of aphids than plants in non-nest soils, and aphid colonies were of greater size on O. acanthium plants than on C. nutans plants. However, only C. nutans plants showed an increase in aphid abundance when growing on refuse dumps. This resulted in a similar aphid load in both thistle species when growing on refuse dumps. Accordingly, only C. nutans showed an increase in the number of ant species attending aphids when growing on refuse dumps. The increase of soil fertility generated by leaf-cutting ant nests can affect aphid abundance and their tending ant assemblage through its effect on plant size and quality. However, the propagation of small-scale soil disturbances through the trophic chain may depend on the identity of the species involved.     

Different growth and physiological responses to experimental warming of two dominant plant species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elymus nutans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Potentilla anserina</Emphasis> in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau

The effects of experimental warming on the growth and physiology of grass Elymus nutans and forb Potentilla anserina were studied by using open-top chambers (OTCs) in an alpine meadow of the eastern Tibetan Plateau. The warming treatment increased mean air and soil surface temperatures by 1.53°C and 0.50°C, respectively, but it reduced soil relative water content in the surface layer. Experimental warming enhanced the growth and gas exchange of E. nutans, while it reduced those of P. anserina. Experimental warming resulted in an increased efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in E. nutans, while decreasing it in P. anserina; significantly stimulated non-photochemical quenching, antioxidative enzymes and non-enzymes in both species; and significantly reduced malondialdehyde content in E. nutans, while promoting it in P. anserina. The results of this study indicated that the two species showed different growth responses to experimental warming and their different physiological performances further indicated that experimental warming alleviated the negative effect of low temperature on the growth and development of E. nutans, but limited the competitive ability of P. anserina in the study region.     

Arbuscular mycorrhiza regulate inter-specific competition between a poisonous plant, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ligularia virgaurea</Emphasis>, and a co-existing grazing grass, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Elymus nutans</Emphasis>, in Tibetan Plateau Alpine meadow ecosystem

In order to investigate the function of arbuscular mycorrhizae in Tibetan Plateau Alpine meadow ecosystems, experiments were carried out to evaluate the influence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on inter-specific competition between the poisonous plant, Ligularia virgaurea, and the grazing grass, Elymus nutans, at different relative densities. Our results showed that the biomass of L. virgaurea significantly declined in AM treatments while the biomass of E. nutans increased in our inter-specific competition system. Relative yields and root/shoot ratios of these two species indicated that AM fungi had a significant influence on the growth of L. virgaurea and E. nutans. This implies that arbuscular mycorrhiza do not benefit both plant species equally but rather contribute to the growth of E. nutans more than L. virgaurea. We thus provide evidence that AM fungi could regulate plant interactions and influence the plant community structure in the Tibetan Plateau Alpine meadow ecosystem.     

Subdominant species distribution in microsites around two life forms at a desert grassland‐shrubland transition zone

Question: In the same landscape context — at a desert grassland‐shrubland transition zone, how does subdominant plant abundance vary in microsites around dominant grasses and shrubs? Location: Sevilleta LTER, New Mexico, USA (34°21’N; 106°53’W; 1650 m a.s.l.). Methods: We compared the distribution of subdominant plants in canopy, canopy edge and interspace microsites around individual shrubs (Larrea tridentata) and grasses (Bouteloua eriopoda) at a transition zone that has been encroached by shrubs within the past 50 ‐ 100 a. Plots of variable size according to microsite type and dominant plant size were sampled. Results: Subdominant abundance was higher in microsites around L. tridentata shrubs than in microsites around B. eriopoda. Furthermore, differences in species abundance and composition were higher among microsites around grasses than among microsites around shrubs. The distribution of subdominants was mostly explained by their phenological characteristics, which indicates the importance of temporal variation in resources to their persistence. Conclusions: This study of coexistence patterns around dominants revealed ecological contrasts between two dominant life forms, but other factors (such as disturbances) have to be taken into consideration to evaluate landscape‐scale diversity.     

Microbial Diversity in Hummock and Hollow Soils of Three Wetlands on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Revealed by 16S rRNA Pyrosequencing

The wetlands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are believed to play an important role in global nutrient cycling, but the composition and diversity of microorganisms in this ecosystem are poorly characterized. An understanding of the effects of geography and microtopography on microbial populations will provide clues to the underlying mechanisms that structure microbial communities. In this study, we used pyrosequencing-based analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences to assess and compare the composition of soil microbial communities present in hummock and hollow soils from three wetlands (Dangxiong, Hongyuan and Maduo) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, the world’s highest plateau. A total of 36 bacterial phyla were detected. Proteobacteria (34.5% average relative abundance), Actinobacteria (17.3%) and Bacteroidetes (11%) had the highest relative abundances across all sites. Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Firmicutes, and Planctomycetes were also relatively abundant (1–10%). In addition, archaeal sequences belonging to Euryarchaea, Crenarchaea and Thaumarchaea were detected. Alphaproteobacteria sequences, especially of the order Rhodospirillales, were significantly more abundant in Maduo than Hongyuan and Dangxiong wetlands. Compared with Hongyuan soils, Dangxiong and Maduo had significantly higher relative abundances of Gammaproteobacteria sequences (mainly order Xanthomonadales). Hongyuan wetland had a relatively high abundance of methanogens (mainly genera Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta) and methanotrophs (mainly Methylocystis) compared with the other two wetlands. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) indicated that the microbial community structure differed between locations and microtopographies and canonical correspondence analysis indicated an association between microbial community structure and soil properties or geography. These insights into the microbial community structure and the main controlling factors in wetlands of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau provide a valuable background for further studies on biogeochemical processes in this distinct ecosystem.     

Early Successional Patterns and Potential Facilitation of Woody Plant Colonization by Rotting Logs in Premontane Costa Rican Pastures

We examined the size, species, location (x and y coordinates), and microsite inhabited by colonizing trees and shrubs in five abandoned pastures in southern Costa Rica. All woody stems greater than 1 m tall in the pastures were measured and mapped, from the overhanging forest edge to 50 m into the abandoned pasture. Species composition of colonists differed substantially among pastures: Croton draco (Euphorbiaceae) dominated one site, two species of Miconia (Melastomataceae) another site, and Verbesina tapentiensis (Asteraceae) a third site. Site 4 had the highest cover of rotting logs (11%), and a four‐fold greater density of colonizing woody plants than the site with the next highest colonist density. For all species pooled, and for several individual taxa, density was positively correlated across sites with abundance of log microsites. Four of the six most common woody species in site 4 occurred on logs significantly more often than expected had they been randomly distributed relative to logs. Site 5 had less abundance of logs, but the common Miconia species was again significantly more likely to be found on log microsites. These results strongly suggest that rotting wood microsites facilitate establishment of bird‐dispersed pioneer trees, which in turn could foster regrowth of other forest species.     

Patterns of ramet population of Iris japonica Thunb. and their effects on herb diversity in different microsites on Jinyun Mountain, China

Spatial patterns of ramet population of Iris japonica Thunb. and their effect on species diversity in the herb layer of 3 microsites (open area of forest edge (OAFE), bamboo forest (BF) and evergreen broad-leaved forest (EBF)) on Jinyun Mountain were studied using spatial pattern, niche and diversity analyses in a combination of population and community methods. The results were as follows: (1) judged by V/m and Morisita index (Iδ), ramet population of I. japonica in 3 microsites all clumped from scale 0.5 m × 0.5 m to 2 m × 2 m; (2) the pattern scale and pattern intensity both gradually decreased on all scales, and the density of ramet population of I. japonica decreased with the increase in canopy density and the decrease in relative photon flux density (RPFD) and R/FR from OAFE to EBF. In OAFE and BF, widespread I. japonica had significantly negative influence on the dominance of original dominant species and on species diversity in the herb layer (p < 0.05), while those influences in EBF were extremely weak. The mechanisms that pattern characteristics of ramet population of I. japonica influence herb diversity in 3 microsites were different. In OAFE, strong regeneration niche (above-ground spatial and below-ground root) and trophic niche (nutrient) competition had significantly negative influence on the species diversity of rare herbs and dwarf herbs. In BF, strong regeneration niche (below-ground root) and trophic niche (above-ground for light and below-ground for nutrient) competition had negative effect on the occurrence of rare species and on the survival of other herb species. In EBF, weak niche competition had little effect on the survival of herb species. Intensity of regeneration niche and trophic niche competition between I. japonica and other herb species is the determinant to the mechanism that ramet population of I. japonica influences herb diversity.     

Effectiveness of phosphate acquisition by juvenile cold-desert perennials from different patterns of fertile-soil microsites

Summary Phosphate uptake was measured for Artemisia tridentata, Agropyron desertorum and Pseudoroegneria spicata, three common perennial North American Great Basin species. Four patterns of nutrient-rich microsites were used in the experiments (different distances, densities and nutrient concentrations) All species were more efficient at taking up P from microsites nearest the plants than from more distant microsites. Artemisia and Agropyron acquired P more rapidly from the distant microsites when there was a larger number of microsites and, therefore, a greater probability of encounter. Uptake from the nearest microsites did not increase after 26 days, while uptake from distant microsites increased and was equal to uptake from the nearest microsites by the end of the experiment. Phosphate uptake was four to five times higher for Artemisia than for Agropyron on a shoot mass basis and seven to eight times greater than for Pseudoroegneria, which reflects species relative growth rates. Differences in shoot dry mass were significant among species, but little evidence was found for interspecific competition. Root density, root dry mass and P uptake in the upper part of the soil mixture was higher for Artemisia than the other species. Phosphate acquisition seems to be influenced by the distance of microsites and their density and the ability of plants to encounter and proliferate absorbing organs in the microsites.     

西藏高原冬虫夏草资源适宜性区划分析

冬虫夏草是分布在西藏高原高寒草甸中稀缺的可再生生物资源,具有很高的药用价值和经济价值,然而资源的数量、空间分布格局及分布适宜度尚不清晰。根据西藏高原冬虫夏草产区生态环境条件,以海拔高度、植被类型、土壤类型、年平均降水量、年平均气温为区划主要指标,利用GIS空间分析方法对西藏高原冬虫夏草生长区进行适宜性综合区划。结果表明:那曲地区的比如县、索县,昌都市的边坝县、丁青县、类乌齐县、江达县、洛隆县、察雅县、贡觉县部分产区处在适宜区;那曲地区的那曲县、嘉黎县、巴青县、聂荣县,拉萨市的当雄县及其他产区处在次适宜区;日喀则市的大部分地区、林芝市和山南市的低海拔地区为不适宜区。在出产冬虫夏草的地区(市)中,那曲地区、昌都市分布面积占当地产冬虫夏草县域国土面积的52.1%—59.3%,山南市、日喀则市、拉萨市和林芝市分布面积占当地产冬虫夏草县域国土面积的13.7%—26.1%,整个西藏高原产区的冬虫夏草分布面积平均占当地产冬虫夏草县域国土面积的34.5%。综合区划图能比较真实的反映西藏高原冬虫夏草空间分布格局,区划结果与采挖地乡镇调查结果符合程度高,与冬虫夏草单位草原面积统计产量分布较为一致。这一研究方法可为以后冬虫夏草资源调查提供参考,为冬虫夏草资源评估及区划等相关研究提供方法支持。     

扎龙湿地芦苇分株生态可塑性及其对土壤因子的响应

扎龙湿地的芦苇既可形成大面积的单优群落,也可形成不同群落斑块。采用大样本抽样调查与统计分析方法,对湿地内水生生境、湿生生境、旱生生境和盐碱生境芦苇种群分株高度和生物量进行比较。结果表明,6—10月份,4个生境芦苇种群分株高度及生物量均以水生生境最高,盐碱生境最低,水生生境株高为盐碱生境的1.5—2.3倍,分株生物量为2.0—5.1倍,生境间的差异性以及差异序位均相对稳定。4个生境株高生境间变异系数(19.45%—31.56%)均高于生境内变异系数(8.07%—17.61%),分株高度在生境间的可塑性更大;分株生物量中水生生境、湿生生境和盐碱生境3个生境间的变异系数(33.43%—55.61%)均低于生境内变异系数(44.85%—79.82%),分株生物量在生境内的可塑性更大。不同生境条件下芦苇种群分株,在生长和生产上均存在较大的生态可塑性,表现出明显的环境效应,其中土壤含水量是该地区芦苇分株生态可塑性变异的主要驱动因子(R0.80),为正向驱动。     

Dynamics of cryptogamic soil crusts in a derived grassland in south‐eastern Australia

We examined the dynamics of cryptogamic soil crusts in a derived (disclimax) grassland near Orange in south‐eastern Australia. Changes in the cover of cryptogamic crusts and floristics and abundance of the constituent species were measured on four treatments with two levels each of grazing and cultivation. Twenty‐two lichens, mosses and liverworts were found at the study site and, of these, 13 were collected in the quadrats. Three moss species (Barbula calycina, Eccremidium arcuatum and Bryum pachytheca) and one lichen species (Cladonia tessalata) accounted for 67% of total cover‐abundance scores. Generally, cover‐abundance was significantly higher in the unvegetated microsites than in the vegetated microsites. Species richness was not significantly different between the four grazing‐cultivation treatments but, on average, there were significantly more species in the unvegetated microsites (mean = 3.2 species) than in the vegetated microsites (0.54 species). Grazing and cultivation resulted in significantly greater cover of bare ground and consequently significantly greater crust cover. Averaged across all treatments, approximately half of the area of unvegetated soil was occupied by cryptogams. Overall, the results indicate that lichens and bryophytes are important components of derived temperate grasslands, surviving in even densely vegetated swards. This study suggests that strategies which disturb the soil surface (e.g. grazing and cultivation) will stimulate the abundance and cover of soil crust organisms by increasing the availability of unvegetated microsites.     

同域分布垂穗披碱草和达乌力披碱草遗传多样性和遗传结构分析

披碱草属(Elymus L.)是禾本科(Poaceae)小麦族(Triticeae)中的一个多年生属,该属在青藏高原地区有广泛分布,多数物种是草原和草甸的组成成分,许多种类为品质优良的牧草.垂穗披碱草(E.nutans)和达乌力披碱草(E.dahuricus)同为禾本科小麦族披碱草属异源六倍体物种,染色体组组成皆为St...     

华西雨屏区白夹竹分株种群的点格局分析

采用点格局分析方法对华西雨屏区白夹竹分株种群的分布格局以及不同龄级分株之间的相互关系进行分析.结果表明：白夹竹分株种群在0～0.32 m空间尺度上呈集群分布,0.64～4.48 m空间尺度上呈均匀分布,>4.48 m空间尺度上呈随机分布.各龄级分株种群在0～8.00 m空间尺度上主要呈随机分布,龄级间略有差别.其中,Ⅰ龄级与Ⅱ、Ⅲ龄级分别在1.76～4.16 m、0.32～4.16 m尺度上接近或达到空间负关联,与Ⅳ龄级在0.32～3.04 m尺度上呈显著空间负关联,表现为随着龄级差距的加大,幼龄分株与高龄级分株的空间负关联增加.白夹竹分株种群的空间格局及不同龄级分株之间的相互关系由尺度、分株龄级及环境因素共同决定.     

Point pattern analysis of Phyllostachys bissetti ramet population in West China Rainy Area

In this paper, point pattern analysis was conducted to study the spatial distribution of Phyllostachys bissetii ramet population and the spatial association between different age-class P. bissetii ramet populations in West China Rainy Area. The ramet population had a clumped distribution at the scale 0-0.32 m, a regular distribution at the scale 0.64-4.48 m, and a random distribution at the scale > 4.48 m. Different age-class ramet populations mainly had a random distribution at the scale 0-8.00 m, though a slight difference was observed among different age-classes. The spatial association between age-class I and age-classes II and III at the scale 1.76 - 4.16 m and 0.32-4.16 m approached to or reached to negative, respectively, while the spatial association between age-classes I and IV at the scale 0.32-3.04 m was significantly negative, indicating that the spatial negative association between younger and elder ramet populations increased with enlarged age-class difference. The spatial pattern of P. bissetii ramet population and the spatial association between different age-class ramet populations were depended on spatial scale, ramet age, and environmental factors.     

Sex expression, skewed sex ratios, and microhabitat distribution in the dioecious desert moss Syntrichia caninervis (Pottiaceae)

The moss Syntrichia caninervis is the dominant soil bryophyte in a blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) community in the southern Nevada Mojave Desert, with a mean cover of 6.3%. A survey of the 10-ha study site revealed an expressed ramet sex ratio of 14♀ : 1♂ (N = 890), with 85% of ramets not expressing sex over their life span, and an expressed population sex ratio of 40♀ : 2♂ : 1♀♂ (female : male : mixed-sex, N = 89), with 52% of populations not expressing sex. A greater incidence of sex expression was associated with shaded microsites, higher soil moisture content, and taller ramets. Shaded microsites had higher surface soil moisture levels than exposed microsites. In the exposed microhabitat, surface soil moisture was positively correlated with ramet height but not with sex expression. Male ramets and populations were restricted to shaded microhabitats, whereas female ramets and populations were found in both shaded and exposed microhabitats, suggesting gender specialization. The rarity of mature sporophytes, found in 0% of the ramets sampled and in only 3% of the populations, is probably due to the rarity of mixed-sex populations. We hypothesize that mixed-sex populations are rare because of factors relating to male rarity and that the differential cost of sex expression reduces the clonal growth capacity of male individuals.     

Below-ground spatial pattern of rhizomes in a grassland community and its relevance to above-ground spatial pattern

Studies of spatial patterns in grassland plant communities have focused on above-ground patterns, ignoring the fact that in clonal plant communities, such as those found in grasslands, above-ground spatial structure must reflect below-ground horizontal growth. The present study examines, at both a fine and a coarse spatial scale, relationships between rhizome and ramet distribution. At the coarse scale, the dominance of species differed between above- and below-ground; some species dominated only above- or below-ground, and others dominated in both layers. At the fine scale, a single species' ramet aggregation above-ground significantly differed from its rhizome aggregation below-ground, for many species. Even for a given species, quantitative relationships between above- and below-ground dominance varied among localities. The variation in spatial pattern among species can be explained by attributes of clonal growth form, including rhizome size, rhizome origin and pattern of above-ground ramet aggregation. Using these parameters of clonal growth, four major space occupation patterns were described for mountain grassland species. For species with a high abundance of evenly distributed rhizomes, ramets either i) reflect rhizome distribution, or ii) do not fully reflect rhizome distribution, but rather are spatially aggregated, and rhizomes are typically developed below-ground. For species with a low abundance of rhizomes, ramets either iii) reflect rhizome distribution and rhizomes are typically of above-ground origin, or iv) do not reflect rhizome distribution and are aggregated only at the growing tips of rhizomes. Spatial correlation above-ground among species was the same as below-ground for some pairs of species but was significantly different for other pairs. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A positive association between ants and spiders and potential mechanisms driving the pattern

Biotic interactions play a central role in determining species distribution and abundance. Some ants act as keystone species affecting the distribution and abundance of other species, including spiders. In coffee plantations Pocobletus sp. spiders are significantly more abundant in coffee plants patrolled by the aggressive arboreal ants Azteca sericeasur. However, it is unknown if other ant species influence this ant–spider association, how these associates are spatially distributed, and which are the potential drivers of this association. Here we examine the influence of ants, Azteca sericeasur and Pheidole synanthropica, and coffee branch density on Pocobletus abundance in a coffee farm in southern Mexico. We also analyze the spatial distribution and abundance of Pocobletus sp., in relation to the spatial distribution of A. sericeasur and P. synanthropica. Finally, we examine prey availability and enemy‐free space as potential mechanisms underlying this ant–spider association. Results show that Pocobletus abundance is positively correlated with coffee branch density and A. sericeasur and P. synanthropica presence. Furthermore, the spatial distribution analysis shows that in 20 × 20 m plots Pocobletus is strongly associated to A. sericeasur, but not to P. synanthropica. Results show that insect abundance in both Pocobletus's webs and sticky traps was significantly higher in the presence of A. sericeasur whereas the abundance of the predators of Pocobletus decreased in A. sericeasur's presence; suggesting positive direct and indirect effects of A. sericeasur on Pocobletus. Overall, this study highlights the strong influence of ants and plant characteristics on the abundance and spatial distribution of spiders as well their indirect effects on other taxa.     

Small‐stature emergent macrophytes and crepuscular sprinkler disturbance reduce mosquito abundance in wetland mesocosms

The impact of emergent macrophyte species and crepuscular sprinkler disturbance on mosquito abundance over a 2‐year period was measured in wetland mesocosms. Mosquito oviposition and abundance of immature mosquitoes and aquatic invertebrates were monitored in monotypic plots of small‐stature (height of mature stands <1.5 m) alkali bulrush (Schoenoplectus maritimus) and large‐stature (height of mature stands > 2 m) California bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus) without or with daily sprinkler showers to deter mosquito egg laying. Relative to wetlands without operational sprinklers, oviposition by culicine mosquitoes was reduced by > 99% and immature mosquito abundance was reduced by > 90% by crepuscular sprinkler applications. Mosquito abundance or distribution in wetlands did not differ between the two bulrush species subjected to the sprinkler treatment. Alkali bulrush wetlands without daily sprinkler treatments contained more egg rafts but significantly fewer mosquito larvae than did California bulrush wetlands. Predaceous damselfly naiads were 3–5 times more abundant in alkali bulrush than in California bulrush. Stem density, rate of spread, and autumnal mortality of alkali bulrush were higher than for California bulrush. Replacement of large emergent macrophytes by smaller species may enhance the efficacy of integrated mosquito management programs to reduce mosquito‐transmitted disease cycles associated with multipurpose constructed wetlands used worldwide for water reclamation and habitat restoration.