Arundinaria gigantea, a North American bamboo that historically grew in vast canebrakes, is now considered a critical component of an endangered ecosystem. Expressing self-incompatibility, restoration efforts must ensure genetic diversity within canebrakes for viable seed production. DNA fingerprinting methods were developed using 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and two sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. Among 18 markers able to amplify rivercane DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 10 were demonstrated to be polymorphic within rivercane. Markers could distinguish rivercane among and between canebrakes and could discern full-sibling seedlings. The mostly-infertile Mississippi canebrakes of rivercane were determined to contain 46% genetic diversity within canebrakes and an average of 1.436 effective alleles. In contrast, the fertile North Carolina canebrakes contained 99% genetic diversity within canebrakes and an average of 6.435 effective alleles. Therefore, theoretically, at least seven distinct genotypes were needed for a healthy, viable rivercane brake.

The research in this thesis concentrates on investigation of the ecology of Arundinaria species for restoration purposes. Arundinaria species are key components in the canebrake ecosystem that was once prominent in the southeastern United States. Arundinaria still occurs as an understory component of bottomland hardwood forests, but with intense agricultural development and urbanization over the past 200 years, canebrakes are now a critically endangered ecosystem with greater than 98% loss. Specifically the thesis addresses the establishment of Arundinaria with other plant species and site preparation techniques. This study indicated that A. gigantea planted into plots dominated by non-native plants benefited significantly more from site preparation (soil tillage, herbicide application) than cane planted into native-species-dominated assemblages. The last portion of the research examined effects of inundation on A. gigantea and A. tecta. Arundinaria tecta appeared to be more flood tolerant than A. gigantea, reflecting habitats in which these species are known to occur.