Population biology of typha latifolia l. and typha angustifolia l.

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Typha latifolia L. and T. angustifolia L. are emergent wetland plants native to Europe, commonly found in temperate northern regions. These species often form mono-dominant stands and are significant in eutrophic wetland types. Their rapid growth and biomass production make them viable as an alternative crop for raw materials in insulation production. This study explores the population biology of both species through experiments and observations in a constructed wetland in southern Germany. It examines environmental factors affecting growth and reproduction, tracking the life cycle from germination to death. The research highlights their colonization of new habitats, population establishment, and early development. Both species showed high germination rates and vegetative reproduction, with water depth and temperature significantly influencing seedling establishment. Rapid clonal growth was observed within the first year. Regression analyses indicated that T. angustifolia’s generative shoot proportion depended on shoot density, while T. latifolia’s was best predicted by mean stand height in May. At harvest, Typha spp. yielded 800 to 1200 g dry mass per square meter. A colonization model revealed that T. latifolia has a ten-fold higher reproductive success under optimal conditions, demonstrating its pioneer characteristics, while T. angustifolia adopts a more competitive strategy.