ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes information on the ecology and management of plant species common to southern forested wetlands. Plant adaptations to flooding or soil waterlogging are found when soil conditions differ from those normally encountered in mesic environments. It is to this optimum root environment that wetland plants have adapted in order to survive, grow, and reproduce. Flooding or soil saturation to the surface virtually eliminates gas-filled pores, and gas exchange becomes limited to molecular diffusion of gases in soil water. Plants lacking flood tolerance may rely on lactic acid production during short periods of hypoxia; however, during extended periods, cytoplasmic acidosis and eventual death may result. The production of plant growth regulators such as ethylene and auxins constitutes several of the processes known to be altered by soil flooding. Rapid stem elongation is an important attribute of flood-tolerant species, allowing growth of the shoot above the water surface.
