, Volume 33, Issue 3, pp 483–493

Carbon Storage by Carex stricta Tussocks: A Restorable Ecosystem Service?


DOI: 10.1007/s13157-013-0405-1

Cite this article as:
Lawrence, B.A. & Zedler, J.B. Wetlands (2013) 33: 483. doi:10.1007/s13157-013-0405-1


Tussock-forming plants are globally widespread and enhance ecosystem services. We hypothesized that tussocks of Carex stricta store carbon (C) in addition to enhancing microtopography and biodiversity. We characterized tussock size, composition, and carbon pools associated with three undisturbed C. stricta-dominated tussock meadows in the Upper Midwest, USA. Remnant meadow tussocks were tall (17.2 cm), voluminous (4,113 cm3), and largely organic (95 %), indicating their ability to accumulate organic matter and store carbon. Tussocks were the second largest C pool (next to soil) in these ecosystems; they comprised 41–62 % of total biomass C. Using bomb 14C dating, we estimated that reference-site tussocks were over 50 years old. Their long-term persistence is consistent with lower leaf decomposition rates on tussocks (k = 0.26 years−1) than in tussock interspaces (k = 0.39 years−1). An urban tussock meadow had tussocks that were shorter than those of remnant sites, but less dense than a restored meadow. The restored meadow (≤15 years) had smaller, structurally distinct tussocks that stored less C. Among the five sites, C stocks were lowest in the urban and restored meadows, supporting the need to conserve existing C stores in remnant meadows and to restore tussock sedge for multiple ecosystem services.


C stocksIllinoisRestorationSedge meadowTussock ageWetlandWisconsin

Copyright information

© Society of Wetland Scientists 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of BotanyUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUSA
  2. 2.Department of ArboretumUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonMadisonUSA
  3. 3.Department of Environmental Science and StudiesDePaul UniversityChicagoUSA