Spartina anglica

Common Cordgrass

The common cordgrass, known as Spartina anglica, is a perennial grass species that occurs preferentially in salt marshes and intertidal areas. It first emerged on the British south coast at the end of the 19th century and evolved from other silt-grass species. It develops dense, horsty growth forms and can grow up to 1 metre high. The narrow, sharp-edged, rigid leaves are grey-green and often take on an erect shape, making the plant resistant to wind and the harsh conditions of coastal zones. Spartina anglica has a strongly developed salt tolerance, which gives it the ability to thrive in saline soils along the mudflats, where it can form species-poor dominant stands. The inflorescences are inconspicuous and appear in dense spikes that develop during the summer.

Types of damage

Ecological damage

Spartina anglica can suppress native plants and form dense monocultures that change the original plant composition, especially along mudflats and salt marshes. Due to its high sedimentation rate, it alters existing ecosystems and causes a decline in the water level, which has a negative impact on the population of some bird species, such as brent geese, European wigeons or sandpipers.

Economical damage

The sharp leaves of Spartina anglica can easily cause cuts to walkers and swimmers. Recreational activities in the intertidal zone, such as bathing, hiking and fishing, are therefore negatively affected by salt mud grass. In addition, the spread of Spartina anglica in some areas threatens the economic interests of commercial oyster fisheries.

Damage to health

The population of Spartina anglica on the German North Sea coast is largely infected with the highly toxic ergot fungus Claviceps purpurea. This poses risks to humans, grazing animals and the marine environment, but the effects have not yet been quantified.

Region of origin

No natural area of origin

Introduction vectors

Landscape architecture

Spartina anglica was planted along the North Sea coast in the mid-20th century for land reclamation due to its high sedimentation rate.
Current distribution

Based on the FlorKart Database of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, as of 2013

Miscellaneous

Family

The Poaceae family comprises about 780 genera with around 12,000 species. They are distributed worldwide and are one of the ecologically and economically most important plant families. The family includes mostly herbaceous plants with hollow, rounded or flattened stems and long, narrow leaves. Characteristic are the spikes or panicles as inflorescences and the small, mostly inconspicuous flowers. Many species serve as the basis of human nutrition (wheat, maize, rice, barley, oats, millet), as fodder plants or as ornamental plants (bamboo, ornamental grasses). Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) also belongs to this family.

Climate change

Spartina anglica has already filled its potentially suitable habitat under current climate conditions. It does not benefit from climate change because in the future its potentially suitable habitat will become smaller. The environmental factors that most influence its dispersal are soil type, road infrastructure, land use, waterways and annual rainfall.

Dispersion forecast

Indicates the proportion of land suitable for habitat under current and future climate conditions (2060-2080) under three emission scenarios (RCP26, RCP45 & RCP85).

Habitat suitability maps

Instructions for use: Click here

Habitat suitability under current climate conditions

These habitat suitability maps show for Spartina anglica where suitable habitat conditions exist.

The map on the left shows this for current climate conditions. Below this are maps for the time classes 2040-2060 and 2061-2080, in which three different emission scenarios can be selected.

The slider at the top left allows you to adjust the opacity of the map to make orientation easier.

By clicking on the respective quadrant, information on the environmental conditions present in it can be called up.

The methodology is explained here .

Habitat suitability 2040 - 2060

2040-2060: In the RCP2.6 scenario, GHG emissions are expected to peak by 2040 through comprehensive mitigation measures and to decline rapidly thereafter. By 2060, global warming would stabilise at about 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Subtle changes in precipitation patterns could vary regionally, with some areas facing increased drought and others increased precipitation.

2040-2060: Under RCP4.5, GHG emissions would continue to increase until 2040, but stabilise at a high level thereafter. By 2060, there could be a global temperature increase of about 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This scenario would likely cause moderate changes in precipitation patterns, with potential regional differences.

2040-2060: Under RCP8.5, which assumes continued intensive use of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions would rise sharply by 2060. The global temperature increase could be around 2.5-3°C. In this scenario, significant changes in precipitation patterns could occur, with an increased likelihood of extreme weather events.

Habitat suitability 2061 - 2080

2060-2080: By 2080, global warming could be limited to below 2°C in the RCP2.6 scenario, provided emission reductions are consistently pursued. Impacts on precipitation patterns would likely stabilise, although regional variance would remain significant.

2060-2080: In the RCP4.5 scenario, global temperatures would continue to increase and could be around 2.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Changes in precipitation patterns would likely increase and regional differences could become more pronounced.

2060-2080: Under RCP8.5, global temperatures could rise by more than 4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2080. Precipitation patterns would be expected to change significantly, with further increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. This would have far-reaching impacts on ecological and socio-economic systems.