belowground material. The amount of dead material was correlated 

 with the height form and the age of the marsh. 



The root-rhizome/shoot ratios were similar within height forms between 

 both marshes. However, the short height form of S^. alterni flora had 

 a greater root-rhizome/shoot ratio than the tall height form. 



Net belowground production was calculated by two methods: from the 

 mean living belowground material, and by determining the difference 

 between the maximum and minimum living belowground material. With 

 the first method it was found that root production differed significantly 

 between the short and tall height forms both within the two marshes 

 and between the marshes. Rhizome production in the short and tall 

 forms varied significantly between the two marshes but not within the 

 marshes. Estimates of total mean living belowground production in the 

 short height form differed significantly between marsh locations. 

 Minimal estimates of net production for mean living belowground 

 material (g/m^) were: Ocracoke, short - 246; Ocracoke, tall - 313: 

 Oak Island, short - 415; Oak Island, tall - 356. 



When maximum minus minimum living belowground production estimates 

 were calculated, root production of the short form of S^, alterni flora 

 varied significantly between the two marshes. No significant 

 differences were found in root production of tall S^. alterni flora between 

 the two marshes. Within the marshes there were no significant differences 

 between the short and tall forms in net primary production of roots 

 at Ocracoke but significant differences were observed at Oak Island. 

 Rhizome production did not differ significantly between the two marshes. 

 Estimates of net belowground production based on the mean maximum minus 

 the mean minimum living material ig/nr) were: Ocracoke, short - 309; 

 Ocracoke, tall - 301; Oak Island, short - 390: Oak Island, tall - 325. 



No significant variation was observed in rhizomes between height 

 forms at Ocracoke but variation existed at Oak Island. Rhizomes also 

 varied significantly between and within height forms between marshes. 

 Root and rhizomes varied significantly within the short height form 

 only at Oak Island. The mean caloric values (g cal/g dry wt) of 

 roots were: Ocracoke, short - 3873; Ocracoke, tall - 3891; Oak Island, 

 short - 3928; Oak Island, tall - 3983. In rhizomes, the caloric values 

 were: Ocracoke, short - 3801; Ocracoke, tall - 3814; Oak Island, short - 

 4009; Oak Island, tall - 3931. 



The carbohydrates were separated into the following fractions: 

 total sugars, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars (by difference), 

 and storage carbohydrates. The sample means (months) in the carbohydrate 

 components of living roots, rhizomes, shoots, and floral parts showed 

 significant variation within the two height forms both within the 

 marshes and between the marshes. 



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