Rhizome architecture inPhragmites australis in relation to water depth: Implications for within-plant oxygen transport distances

Phragmites australis (Cav.)Trin. exSteud. is a perennial plant, largely relying on its rhizomes for resource storage, spreading and anchorage in the substrate. Vertical distribution and length of horizontal rhizomes ofPhragmites australis were investigated at the reed bed edge in a lake in southern Sweden. In deep water, horizontal rhizomes were relatively short and superficially situated in the substrate. It is hypothesised that this is an adaptation to water depth by keeping O₂-transport distances through shoots and rhizomes as short as possible. In shallow water,P. australis rhizomes generally penetrated deeply into the substrate, probably improving anchorage and nutrient uptake possibilities. Further, horizontal rhizomes were longer in shallow water, which may increase the rate of vegetative spread. Because of these changes in rhizome architecture, “critical within-plant oxygen transport distances” did not change with water depth. This indicates thatP. australis maximises the extension of its rhizomes in relation to spatial differences in water depth. This may limit the ability ofP. australis to tolerate sudden temporal increases in water depth or eutrophication.