Some Ecological Conditions Under Which Selected Waterfowl Food Plants Grow In South Carolina

Nine waterfowl food plants were selected from food habit studies conducted on waterfowl wintering in South Carolina coastal areas. These plants (Aneilema keisak, Brasenia schreberi, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Polygonum arifolium, Polygonum hydropiperoides, Ruppia maritima, Scirpus robustus, and Scirpus validus) were studied in relation to certain chemical and physical properties of soil and water collected from sites producing stands of these plants. It was found that soil nutrition, salinity, and water level are in primary control of the plant growth and distribution in these wetland areas.