Monday, November 5, 2007 - 2:45 PM
117-8

Phosphorus Storage in Isolated Wetlands.

Ed J. Dunne, Mark W. Clark, and K. R. Reddy. Wetland Biogeochemistry Laboratory, University of Florida, Soil and Water Science Department, 106 Newell Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611

Historically-isolated wetland ecosystems may provide a phosphorus (P) storage sink for runoff from agricultural pastures.  Four historically-isolated wetlands were characterized on two cow-calf ranches in the Lake Okeechobee Basin, Florida to (i) quantify P storage in isolated wetland ecosystems and surrounding improved pasture uplands, (ii) determine if a P storage gradient existed with landscape position, and (iii) evaluate the potential to increase wetland ecosystem P storage if wetlands are hydrologically restored.  The hydroperiod for wetlands studied ranged between 220 and 315 days.  In general, more P was stored in wetland plant biomass and soil than in the corresponding upland compartments.  Surface soils (0-10cm) were by far the largest reservoir of P (> 87%), and soil organic matter accounted for most of the variability in wetland soil total P.  Wetland hydrologic restoration that could result in an increase in wetland area of between 5 and 20% could potentially increase wetland ecosystem P storage by 13 kg P ha-1.

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