滇池流域退耕区植物群落构建对地表径流污染物的削减效应

为探索不同群落的构建在滇池流域的实际应用,以确定削减污染物最优植物群落的配置方式,该研究选取地表径流悬浮物(SS)、COD含量、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、氨氮(NH_4~+-N)、硝氮(NO_3~--N)六个指标作为主要的分析对象,在滇池流域退耕区开展了不同植物群落配置对地表径流污染物削减效应的试验研究。结果表明:三个植物群落对SS、COD、TN、TP、NO_3~--N在2014年和2015年间均表现出显著性的削减趋势,且三个植物群落对SS、TP和NO_3~--N的削减率均在45%以上,但并未对NH_4~+-N表现出削减效果。不同植物群落对污染物的削减效应存在一定的差异性,但是三个不同群落与年度的交互作用对SS、COD、TN、TP、NO_3~--N五个养分指标的削减并没有表现出显著的差异性。从整体上来看,三种植物群落类型中,以乔-灌-草构建的立体式植物群落对地表径流污染物的削减效果最佳。     

Present–absent: a chronicle of the dinoflagellate Peridinium gatunense from Lake Kinneret

A long-term record dating back to the 1960s indicates that Peridinium gatunense, an armored dinoflagellate, dominated the phytoplankton of Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee, Israel) until the mid-1990s, with a relatively stable spring bloom. However, since 1996, these blooms became irregular, failing to develop in 10 out of the past 16 years. During the later period, a significant correlation (R ² = 0.605, P = 0.013) was found between annual peak P. gatunense biomass and riverine inflow volume. In-lake surveys showed that patches of high P. gatunense densities were associated with water enriched with fresher inflowing Jordan River water. Supplementing laboratory cultures of P. gatunense with Hula Valley water stimulated its growth relative to un-enriched controls. A likely explanation to the recent irregular blooms of this dinoflagellate is a hydrological modification that was made in the catchment in the mid-1990s, preventing Hula Valley water from reaching Lake Kinneret in most years—except for exceptionally wet years. We propose that until the mid-1990s, the Jordan River water enriched Lake Kinneret with a growth factor (a microelement and/or organic compound) originating in the Hula Valley, which in recent years has arrived in sufficient quantities to support a bloom only in high-rainfall years.     

Establishment of the Baikalian endemic amphipod Gmelinoides fasciatus Stebb. in Lake Ladoga

Gmelinoides fasciatus Stebb., a small amphipod from the Lake Baikal basin, was discovered in July 1988 in Lake Ladoga, the largest European lake. G. fasciatus likely invaded Lake Ladoga as a consequence of its intentional introduction, aimed at enhancing fish production, in some Karelian Isthmus lakes close to Lake Ladoga's western shore in the early 1970's. Benthos studies conducted in 1989 and 1990 revealed that G. fasciatus was well established in littoral communities along the western and northern shores of Lake Ladoga. G. fasciatus was the dominant species in these littoral communities and contributed over 70% of the macroinvertebrate biomass. The species was abundant in different macrophyte beds and stony littoral areas, both in heavily polluted and undisturbed sites. The maximum abundance and biomass of G. fasciatus was about 54,000 ind m^–2 and 160 g (wet wt.) m^–2. Negative impacts of G. fasciatus on native species have been observed. Studies are needed to identify the effects of G. fasciatus on the functioning of littoral communities and to predict and control the spread of this amphipod.     

Strontium isotopes in Melanopsis sp. as indicators of variation in hydrology and climate in the Upper Jordan Valley during the Early-Middle Pleistocene, and wider implications

Aquifers dominated by Pleistocene basalts and Jurassic to Cretaceous calcareous rocks feed the Hula basin which is drained by the Jordan River into Lake Kinneret. The sedimentary sequence of Lower-Middle Pleistocene Benot Ya‘akov Formation (BYF) exposed by excavations of the 0.78 Ma lake-side site of Gesher Benot Ya‘aqov (GBY) consists of six cycles representing ca. 100 ka history of the Hula basin. This study characterizes the types of water sources in the catchment, tests the use of the Strontium (Sr) isotopes in the common extant snail Melanopsis sp. as a tracer for water in its habitat, and uses this tracer in the fossil specimens from GBY to investigate the palaeohydrology of the Hula paleolake during the corresponding period.The Sr isotope composition (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) of extant Melanopsis shells in the Hula catchment range widely (0.7046-0.7079). These analyses define distinct groups of water sources and aquifers, while the Jordan River at the GBY site has values around 0.70685. The values for fossil Melanopsis from GBY vary along stratigraphy; they are highest around 0.70710 in Cycles 1 and 2, decrease to around 0.70685 in Cycle 3, and exhibit upward trending fluctuations in the subsequent cycles to 0.70703 in Cycle 6. This trend reveals the dominance of the Hermon Jurassic aquifer during the earlier, colder periods before the Matuyama-Brunhes Boundary (MBB) and enhanced influence of the Golan basaltic aquifers, in subsequent warmer periods, indicating that the MBB coincides with climate warming as supported by other indicators. Hence, this global geochronological indicator of 0.78 Ma is also potentially a global palaeoclimatic marker. The similarity between the Sr isotope composition of the Jordan River waters and Melanopsis and those from Cycle 3 suggests that the current climate corresponds to that of the warmest period within the record of GBY, clarifying the comparative interpretation of this 100 k.yr. climate record.     

Distribution and special traits of naturalization of new and rare zooplankton species in waterbodies of the Upper Volga basin

More than ten new zooplankton species were registered in reservoirs of the Upper Volga during 2002–2005. Since 2003, the cladoceran Diaphanosoma orghidani Negrea, had intensively settled in different biotopes of Ivankovo, Uglich, Rybinsk, and Sheksna reservoirs and is the most abundant (16 000 ind./m³) in the latter one. The rotifer Asplanchna henrietta Langh. was found for the first time in Rybinsk Reservoir in 1985, and by 2004, this species had also occurred in Ivankovo, Uglich reservoirs, Lake Nero, and some small waterbodies of the basin. In Lake Nero its density reaches especially high values (>1 million ind./m³). Causes, mechanisms, and ecological consequences of the expansion of new zooplankton species are discussed.     

Effects of elevated turbidity on shallow lake fish communities

Synopsis We compared the fish communities of two shallow lakes in the lower Waikato River basin, North Island, New Zealand, to determine the effects of elevated suspended solids (SS) and collapse of submerged macrophytes. Lake Waahi was turbid (20–40 g m^-3 SS) and devoid of submerged macrophytes whereas Lake Whangape was clearer (5 g m^-3 SS) and dominated by submerged macrophytes. The lakes had similar fish species richness and had nine major species in common; representing eight families including Anguillidae, Retropinnidae, Galaxiidae, Eleotridae, Mugilidae, Ictaluridae, Poeciliidae, and Cyprinidae (two species). The only major fish that was absent from Lake Waahi was a lacustrine form of the common smelt, Retropinna retropinna, which disappeared after the lake became turbid in the late 1970s. CPUE, condition, and size of most species in Lake Waahi were similar to, or greater than, those in Lake Whangape. Lake Whangape clearly exceeded Lake Waahi only for CPUE of two species. Within Lake Whangape two species displayed significantly greater condition, and one species greater size, in a turbid arm of the lake than in the main basin. Apart from lacustrine Retropinna retropinna, the fish in these lakes appear well adapted to cope with, or to avoid, the direct toxic effects of suspended and settleable solids on sensitive early developmental stages. In Lake Waahi loss of cover and food provided by submerged macrophytes appears to have been compensated for by increased turbidity and an associated increase in the biomass of the mysid, Tenagomysis chiltoni (a major prey item).     

Development of macrophytic vegetation in the Agmon Wetland of Israel by spontaneous colonization and reintroduction

The draining of the Lake Hula and swamps, northern Israel, during the late 1950s resulted in the loss of a very diverse and rare ecosystem. Oxidation of the peat soil resulted in ground surface subsidence, while heavy autumn winds have eroded the dry peat. Moreover, agriculture on the peat soils is restricted, because of a nitrate surplus. Predictions that the sinking would continue and that more areas would go out of agricultural production led authorities to re-flood a portion of the Hula Valley in 1994. The aim of the present study was to monitor the spontaneous establishment of vegetation in the re-flooded area, the Agmon wetlands, and to reestablish some of the major plant species lost from the valley when Lake Hula was drained. Within the first two years, 74 plant species colonized the wetland spontaneously. Five out of 11 species designated for reintroduction were successfully established. Cyperus papyrus and Cynodon dactylon demonstrated sustainable potential for lake-shore stabilization. Cyperus papyrus was reintroduced from seedlings and rapidly became the dominant riparian species, while Cynodon dactylon established spontaneously. Re-introduced Nymphaea alba clones were established only in enclosures protected from grazing by the semi-aquatic mammal Myocastor coypu. Nuphar lutea and Iris pseudacorus showed better resistance to grazing. These results demonstrate a high potential for successful re-establishment of much of the original Hula swamp macrophytic vegetation by either spontaneous colonization by extant species from the surrounding areas or by introduction of locally extinct species. As such, there is a good chance that the associated faunal components of the former Lake Hula and swamps that have returned to the region since the Hula rehabilitation project commenced will continue to flourish.     

高原湖泊流域国土空间生态修复优先区诊断及修复研究

高原湖泊流域是高原地区人类活动的重要载体,兼具高生态价值和高脆弱性的特点。随着高原湖泊流域城市化和工业化发展加速,湖泊面积萎缩,污染加剧,流域生态环境受损严重,引发了一系列生态环境问题,如水土流失、水污染、湿地退化、生境质量下降等。亟需开展生态修复以平衡经济发展与生态环境保护之间关系,而基于整体保护与系统治理思维诊断并修复生态修复优先区,是科学有序推进国土空间生态保护与修复的重要抓手。基于此,研究以高原湖泊流域典型代表滇池流域为例,利用人类足迹和景观生态风险模型定量评估生态系统所受负向干扰,以最小累积阻力模型和电路理论构建流域生态网络;提取生态网络受负向干扰较高的关键区域为生态修复优先区并提出针对性修复措施。研究表明：(1)滇池流域人类干扰和生态风险整体较高,人类干扰整体呈核心—边缘递减的圈层式分布,中高生态风险占据了绝大部分区域。人类交通网络大幅扩展了人类干扰和生态风险的强度和深度;(2)区域生态网络呈典型湖泊生态网络特点,38条生态廊道呈放射状或环状分布,连通湖区、山区两大生态空间内共23块生态源地,保障区域生态安全;(3)研究共提取生态源地修复优先区73.83km²     

Human Land use Threatens Endemic Wetland Species: The Case of Chorthippus lacustris (La Greca and Messina 1975) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) in Epirus, Greece

Chorthippus lacustris is an endemic grasshopper (Orthoptera) species in Epirus, Greece. Its population status, habitat characteristics, and relation to historical and current human land use are investigated. The species has a restricted and fragmented distribution pattern. Five locations, four within Pamvotida Lake basin and one in Lake Paramythia, cover a total of 0.12 km². It is strongly dependent on wet grasslands, flooded on a seasonal basis. The greatest population density is recorded in the site with the greatest diversity of dominant plant species. Ch. lacustris is estimated to have lost 85–99% of its habitat during the last 50 years due to wetland drainage. The main threat to the species survival is further habitat loss by urbanisation around Pamvotida Lake and by land conversion to agriculture in Paramythia Lake, even though both sites belong to the Natura 2000 network. The species status is Critically Endangered and it should be listed in Annex II of the Habitat Directive (92/43/EEC) as a priority species for conservation. Restoring wet grasslands, protecting them from further urbanisation and drainage, and monitoring species population are the main measures proposed for its conservation.     

The importance of cytotaxonomy in understanding the biogeography of African rodents: Lake Chad murids as an example

1. Due to the existence of numerous morphologically sibling species among African rodent genera, cytogenetical analyses are essential for correct taxonomic identifications. As an illustration, karyotypes of rodents captured in the Lake Chad area were systematically conducted, to determine them unambiguously. 2. Thirteen species were found, giving a list of at least 18 species in total for the whole Lake Chad region when previously published data were critically re‐examined. Gerbilline rodents dominate in this Sahelian region, with five species of Gerbillus, four of Taterillus, two of Tatera and Desmodilliscus braueri, and six species of murine rodents were also counted. Moreover, two species of Taterillus appeared characterized by unique and hitherto unknown karyotypes, and undoubtedly represent new species. 3. The Lake Chad area, although poorly studied from a biogeographical point of view, occupies a central position in the northern half of Africa which makes its zoogeographical affinities interesting to evaluate. Analysis of the biogeographical characteristics of the rodent species recorded here leads to the conclusion that the murid rodent community of the Lake Chad region is of mixed origin, with a dominant West African component. However, the presence of two species considered as endemics (Mastomys verheyeni and Taterillus lacustris), combined with our discovery of two new chromosomal species of Taterillus, suggest that this region may have acted as a centre of differentiation in relatively recent times, perhaps reflecting the extensive variations of the Lake Chad basin associated with Plio‐Pleistocene cycles of transgression–regression. 4. Without chromosomal data, most of these findings would have remained weakly supported, or even undiscovered, as between five and eight species could have been overlooked.     

Repopulation and colonization by birds in the Agmon Wetland,Israel

Lake Hula and its surrounding wetland in northern Israel were drained in the late 1950s and the dried wetlands were transformed into a diverse agricultural region with a 0.3 km2 nature reserve. A portion of the extinct Hula wetland was re-flooded in April 1994 by constructing a small lake, Agmon, and 90 km of canals. The purposes of this study were (a) to document the re-population and colonization of the new Agmon wetland by birds after its flooding, (b) to evaluate bird species richness in this new wetland in comparison to that in a nearby mature Hula Nature Reserve, and, (c) to investigate if the species originally present in the Hula Valley before the drainage had been re-established. The new lake has succeeded in attracting a large variety of water birds to the newly formed habitats, especially ducks, egrets and herons, plovers, waders and snipes. The distribution of bird species among the different habitats was not random. The northern section of the lake, which is shallow and has an open shore, had the largest number of species during 1995 and 1996 and was preferred by plovers, waders and snipes. A large roosting and breeding colony of thousands of egrets and herons was formed in the dense cattails ( Typha domingensis) in the southern section of the lake. Unlike the nearby Hula Nature Reserve, the new wetland lacks a large seasonally flooded area and is less attractive for feeding and breeding plovers, waders and stilts. The new wetland also has very little muddy area without vegetation and attracts few of the species that regularly feed in this habitat in the reserve. The new wetland enlarges the area of only a few of the habitats found in the nearby reserve and therefore attracts fewer species than it might otherwise. Recommendations for management of the new wetland include increased diversity of habitats, restriction of human activities and optimization of conflicts that have arisen between the needs of the wetland and those of nearby agriculture.     

Changes in fish assemblages in catchments in north‐eastern Spain: biodiversity,conservation status and introduced species

1. North‐eastern Spain is a hot spot for the introduction of alien fish species, and its native fish fauna is one of the most endangered worldwide. We used an extensive data set from 2002 to 2003 and historical information from the area to characterize fish diversity and establish conservation priorities in river catchments. 2. Diversity indices were used to characterize fish diversity at the basin scale. An index of conservation status was applied for each species, which considers the occurrence, abundance and endemicity of each taxon. We used indirect ordination methods to test the relationship among basin features and to identify those variables most correlated with each other. To identify physical, biotic and environmental characteristics that seem to make a basin particularly susceptible to invasion, we performed a step‐wise multiple regression to examine the relationship between the number of native, translocated and introduced fish species (including the original native species richness of each basin), and landscape variables. 3. Over a period of approximately 50 years, the mean range size of native fish species has decreased by 60%. The greatest decline occurred in Gasterosteus gymnurus, Anguilla anguilla and Salaria fluviatilis, for which species over 75% of the original distribution area has been lost. The species with the highest conservation index were Gasterosteus gymnurus and Salaria fluviatilis. 4. Basin area and the catchment type explained 70% of variation in native species richness, whereas the number of dams and basin area accounted for more than 80% of variation in the number of introduced species. 5. The original native species richness and the number of introduced species at basin scale were not related, and thus there was no evidence of “biotic resistance” to invasion. The restoration of natural hydrologic processes and the development of specific management tools to protect native species, such as the prioritization of areas for fish conservation and the eradication of local populations of exotic species, are required to restore native fish fauna in these catchments.     

An annotated checklist of the fish fauna of the river systems draining the Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Upper Congo: Eastern DR Congo)

The Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), situated mainly in the Eastern Highlands Ecoregion of the Upper Congo basin, is drained by the Lowa and Ulindi rivers, and some western affluents of Lake Kivu. In this study, the first list of the fish diversity of these systems is provided based on museum collections and complemented, for the Lowa River system and the western Lake Kivu affluents, with recently collected specimens (2013–2017). A total of 118 species are reported from the Lowa basin, 22 from the Ulindi basin and seven from these Lake Kivu affluents. Within the Lowa and Ulindi, respectively, five and one species, all cichlids, have been introduced. Currently, 51 species are reported from within the park, only two of which have been reported from the highlands, i.e., Amphilius kivuensis from the Luha, the source of the Luka River, and Clarias liocephalus from the headwaters of the Lake Kivu’ affluents. With a total of 30 species, Cyprinidae is by far the largest family, representing 25% of the total species diversity of the Lowa basin. It is followed by Mormyridae with 13 species (11%), Alestidae and Mochokidae with 10 species each (8%), Clariidae and Amphiliidae with eight species (7%), and Distichodontidae with six species (5%). Seven new species for science were discovered and 11 species were found to be endemic to the Lowa system. Although further exploration is needed, this underscores the importance of the KBNP in protecting the fish fauna of the Lowa basin but also highlights the park's limited coverage of the fish fauna of the Lowa basin.     

A palynological study of the Acheulian site of Gesher Benot Ya’aqov, Israel

The results are discussed of the palynological (pollen-analytical) examination of a sediment section in the Hula Valley of northern Israel, with evidence of Acheulian occupation dated to 700,000–800,000 b.p. In general there is a fair agreement between the palynological data and the wood remains identified from the site, but there are also discrepancies, some of which can be explained and others not. Although relatively well represented in the pollen record, Pinus (pine) most probably did not occur in the Hula area. Some pollen types are thought to have been carried in from hundreds of kilometres away (long-distance transport). Together the pollen and wood evidence suggests that Quercus ithaburensis–Pistacia atlantica (Tabor oak–Atlantic terebinth) woodland (open forest) was found in the Hula Valley (other than the lake and marshes) and on the lower reaches of the mountains flanking the valley on both sides. In addition to deciduous Tabor oak, evergreen Kermes oak (Quercus calliprinos) must have been an important component of this woodland. Wild olive (Olea europaea var. oleaster) may also have been quite common here. The suggestion of open forest, with fairly widely spaced trees, is based upon the high non-arboreal pollen frequencies and indicates fairly dry climatic conditions. Various stream-bank trees and shrubs are represented in the pollen and/or wood records, such as Fraxinus (ash), Ulmus (elm), Salix (willow) and Platanus (plane tree). During the period represented by the upper section of the pollen diagram, Cedrus (cedar) must have reached the Hula area, indicating increased humidity. In the steppe-like field layer (undergrowth of the woodland) grasses (Gramineae) must have played a prominent role in addition to a great number of other species. In particular Compositae and Umbelliferae include a large variety of species (many different pollen types). Two Chenopodiaceae maxima, coinciding with Gramineae minima, are thought to be indicative of periods of increased climatic dryness. The local lake and marsh vegetation is fairly well represented in the pollen record, but interpretation in terms of vegetation succession is only possible to some degree. Mention is made here of Trapa natans (water chestnut), the nuts of which were consumed by the Acheulian inhabitants. Sytze Bottema: Deceased in 2005.     

四种草本植物混播处理在西藏措那湖沙害区植被恢复中的表现

在西藏措那湖沙害区采用不同物种搭配方式和混播比例对红豆草、紫花苜蓿(三得利)、披碱草、高羊茅进行播种,并在播种当年和第二年生长期结束后对生物量等特性进行分析,旨在找到适合在措那湖沙区植被恢复中可应用的适宜草种及最佳的种植方式。结果表明:1)播种当年混播方式对两种禾本科植物披碱草和高羊茅的株高、根长影响不显著,但会使两种豆科植物红豆草和紫花苜蓿的株高增加;2)混播方式对草地单位面积的生物量有明显的影响,豆禾草种混播处理中生物量会随着豆科植物比例的减小而增加,播种当年披碱草单播及披碱草+高羊茅(5∶5)的混播处理有较高的生物量,分别为(756.33±96.29) g/m~2、(720.25±35.63) g/m~2,次年披碱草单播及披碱草+高羊茅(7∶3)的处理总生物量最高分别为(832.13±124.71) g/m~2、(723.83±57.14) g/m~2;3)披碱草+高羊茅3个混播比例的处理两年中均表现出较高的盖度,其中播种当年披碱草+高羊茅(5∶5)的处理盖度最大为87%,次年盖度均达到60%以上;4)在高寒气候下的混播草种实验中,禾本科植物对草地恢复的贡献要明显大于豆科。     

Chironomidae (Diptera) of Baldwin Lake,Illinois, a cooling reservoir

The chironomid fauna of Baldwin Lake, a closed-cycle cooling reservoir for a power plant, was sampled monthly to semi-monthly for one year at four stations, two in the discharge channel and two in the main basin. Qualitative samples were also taken elsewhere and with multiple-plate samplers. Twenty-four species were collected. Annual mean population density was less than 100 larvae m^–2 in the channel, 1037 M^–2 in the main basin. Three species of Tanypodinae formed over 96 percent of the larval population in the main basin: Tanypus stellatus Coquillett, Procladius bellus (Loew), and Coelotanypus concinnus (Coquillett). The principal species on the multiple-plate samplers were Dicrotendipes nervosus (Staeger), Glyptotendipes lobiferus (Say), and Parachironomus monochromus (Wulp). Temperatures of 35°C or more in the channel virtually eliminated the chironomids, whereas temperatures up to 32°C in the main basin increased the number of generations of T. stellatus from the usual two to four at Station 3 and three at Station 4. Station 3 had almost 1,000 degree-days more heat than Station 4.     

Hydrologic and edaphic constraints on Schoenoplectus acutus,Schoenoplectus californicus,and Typha latifolia in tidal marsh restoration

The demand for an improved knowledge base for planning and management of tidal marsh restoration worldwide has become more fully recognized. In the Sacramento‐San Joaquin Bay Delta, California, U.S.A., concerns have arisen about the degradation of the Delta and key ecosystem services. One restoration method proposed includes intentionally breaching levees that protect agricultural lands to re‐establish a hydrology that encourages tidal marsh development. Our research investigated relevant constraints on vegetation establishment and expansion of key tidal marsh species. We transplanted three macrophyte species (Schoenoplectus acutus, Schoenoplectus californicus, and Typha latifolia) using two transplant types (rhizomes and adults) in locations that varied in hydrologic and edaphic conditions at Liberty Island, a post‐levee breach tidal marsh restoration site. Two years of monitoring revealed that transplanted adults outperformed rhizomes. In addition, S. californicus exhibited greater survival and vegetation expansion. S. californicus vegetation expansion covered a maximum area of approximately 23 m², which is two orders of magnitude (OOM) greater than the maximum area covered by S. acutus (approximately 0.108 m²) and three OOM greater than T. latifolia (approximately 0.035 m²). Results suggest that hydrologic regime and degree of soil compaction are influential in controlling vegetation establishment and expansion. Greater vegetation expansion occurred in transplant sites characterized by a deeper surface layer of non‐compacted soil in conjunction with shorter durations of flooding. Information derived from this study is valuable to restoration planning in the Delta and other tidal marshes worldwide where these species occur, especially in terms of setting restoration goals and trajectories based on site‐specific environmental characteristics.     

Fine‐scale genetic diversity and landscape‐scale genetic structuring in three foundational bulrush species: implications for wetland revegetation

The appropriate sourcing of seeds for restoration is critical for establishing foundational plant species that support ecosystem functions and services. Genetic analyses of such species can yield insights into patterns of genetic diversity and structuring to inform seed collections. Here we document, for three foundational bulrush species, distinct genetic patterns to guide restoration of wetlands along the iconic Great Salt Lake, the largest lake in western North America. Specifically, Schoenoplectus acutus and Schoenoplectus americanus had moderate levels of site‐scale genet richness and relatively low genet richness levels within 1‐m² plots. These patterns contrast with Bolboschoenus maritimus, which had higher levels of site‐ and plot‐level genet richness, and has therefore likely experienced more recent seedling establishment. At the landscape scale, we found some evidence for genetic isolation of individuals at more remote sites (namely Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in the West Desert of Utah), but all species are relatively well dispersed over hundreds of kilometers, a pattern most likely to occur via avian dispersal. In our mechanistic dispersal assessment, we found abundant bulrush seeds present in waterfowl gizzards and those seeds germinated readily despite (or because of) partial digestion. Migratory waterfowl likely facilitate the broad dispersal of all species and may aid in bulrush establishment by breaking seed dormancy. These findings suggest that seeds for restoration should be collected within and among seed source sites to ensure a diverse restoration seed lot that does not disrupt gene flow patterns.