Date of Graduation

7-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (MS)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Evans-White, Michelle

Committee Member

Prater, Clay

Second Committee Member

Latvis, Maribeth

Keywords

bamboo; cultural biology; Indigenous; rivercane

Abstract

River cane, or Arundinaria gigantea Walter (Muhl.), ecosystems serve as ecological and cultural keystones, offering wildlife habitat, streambank stabilization, and construction/craft material for Native groups who utilize river cane. However, these ecosystems have declined substantially because of overgrazing, land conversion, and fire suppression, resulting in reduced patch size and culm morphology. Historically widespread across floodplains and riparian zones, canebrakes, or monotypic forests of river cane, have been restricted to small fragments. This study evaluated how canopy cover influences light availability, culm morphology, density, and biomass of river cane across eight riparian sites in Northwest Arkansas to inform restoration efforts. Light availability differed consistently between sun and shade sections, with sun sections receiving more cumulative light than shade sections, although peak light availability was sometimes similar between canopy types. Morphological differences varied by site and canopy, with culm height being more closely associated with peak light and culm diameter associated with cumulative light. Density showed inconsistent responses to canopy cover, with higher light associated with greater density at only one site. In contrast, biomass was more consistently influenced by canopy cover and was primarily driven by differences in culm size rather than culm density. Biomass of young culms was lower than mature culms, indicating estimates for biomass must account for age structure. Overall, these findings suggest that light influences river cane morphology, but site-specific variation plays a key role in shaping culm morphology and structure and have implications for restoration.

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