Vegetation-Soil Relationships on Saline Soils in Northern Kansas

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Abstract
The vegetation of northern Kansas salt marshes was analyzed and vegetation-soil relationships studied. It was determined that Suaeda depressa (Pursh) S. Wats. and Distichlis stricta (Torr.) Rydb. were the most salt-tolerant species. Others that were able to withstand the higher salinity were Tamarix pentandra Pall, and Sporobolus texanus Vasey. The most extensive marsh communities were the highly saline Suaeda depressa and the Distichlis stricta-Suaeda depressa, whereas in areas of lower salinity a Hordeum jubatum-Distichlis stricta complex of communities was prevalent. Distributional relations of species indicate that the most important single factor distinguishing halophytes was their ability to withstand high salinities and not their need for a highly saline environment. It was found that the most salt-tolerant species made more robust and denser growth in low- to nonsaline areas than in the most highly saline environments in which they were the pioneer species.

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