Summary1. Nutrient enrichment may adversely impact plant species richness in wetlands and enhance their susceptibility to colonization and dominance by invasive species. For North American prairie wetlands, enrichment by nitrate-N (NO 3 -N) from agricultural runoff is thought to contribute to the increasing colonization and dominance of Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass), especially during restoration. If true, P. arundinacea might compromise the re-establishment of sedge meadow vegetation on sites reflooded with agricultural drainage water. 2. We tested this hypothesis using a fertilization experiment in wetlands with controlled hydrology. A community mixture comprising 11 species from native sedge meadow was seeded in mesocosms and grown under one of three NO 3 -N levels (0 g m, 48 g m − 2 year − 1 ) with or without P. arundinacea. Above-and belowground biomass were measured after two growing seasons to assess the response of vegetation to NO 3 -N and P. arundinacea treatments. 3. The total shoot biomass of the native community was suppressed in the presence of P. arundinacea at all NO 3 -N levels, but shoot suppression was significantly greater at the highest NO 3 -N dose level (48 g m). Shoot growth of the native community was reduced by nearly one-half under these conditions. 4. The total root biomass of the community was also suppressed by P. arundinacea when no NO 3 -N was added. 5. As NO 3 -N increased, the relative abundance (shoot biomass) of native graminoids declined while native forbs increased in communities with and without Phalaris. The most common graminoid, Glyceria grandis , was suppressed by P. arundinacea at all levels, with suppression enhanced at the 48 g m − 2 NO 3 -N level. Three other species were suppressed at the highest NO 3 -N level, in the presence of Phalaris. The two most common forbs, Asclepias incarnata and Sium suave , exhibited a continual increase in growth with NO 3 -N additions along with overall suppression by P. arundinacea. 6. Community diversity and evenness declined with increasing NO 3 -N levels, whether or not P. arundinacea was present.7. Our results demonstrate that if P. arundinacea is present, the restored sedge meadow community will not achieve levels of abundance that are possible when this species is absent, regardless of NO 3 -N enrichment conditions. 8. At the same time, the increased suppression by P. arundinacea at the 48 g m − 2 NO 3 -N dose level supports the hypothesis that the dominance of this species over the native sedge meadow community is enhanced by NO 3 -N inputs at levels that are common in agricultural landscapes. 9. Our results carry two implications for achieving biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes. First, reducing nitrate loads to wetland reserves is essential for minimizing declines in community diversity. Secondly, the use of P. arundinacea for soil conservation and other agri-environmental purposes should be curtailed because of the likelihood of off-site impacts to wetland biodiversity.

Restored prairie pothole wetlands in North America are often enriched by nitrate-N (NO3-N) that has been lost from surrounding agricultural systems. In addition, these wetlands are increasingly colonized by invasive taxa including Phalaris arundinacea L. and Typha ×glauca Godr. To explore the impacts of NO3-N enrichment, suppression by invasive species, and the interaction of these factors on restored communities, we grew native sedge meadow communities from seed in greenhouse mesocosms and subjected them to NO3-N and invasive species for 4 months. Typha ×glauca did not reduce overall native community biomass and actually enhanced Aster spp. biomass. Phalaris arundinacea suppressed growth of the native community to an equal relative extent across all NO3-N levels. The shoot biomass of the entire native community in untreated plots was similar to the P. arundinacea fraction of the treated plots. Phalaris arundinacea demonstrated greater plasticity in root-shoot allocation than the native community over the range of NO3-N inputs. Proportional allocation to root biomass was greater for P. arundinacea than for the native community at all but the highest NO3-N level. Both factors may be important in explaining dominance of P. arundinacea over the native community in a range of fertility conditions. Regardless of NO3-N inputs, the restoration of diverse native wetlands requires strict control of P. arundinacea during community establishment, as evidenced by the relatively rapid rate of suppression of native community biomass by P. arundinacea compared with T. ×glauca.Key words: restoration, agricultural impacts, prairie pothole, root/shoot ratio.

This mixed methods community-based participatory pilot study examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of group obesity management visits offered through school-based health centers. The study was implemented through an academic-community partnership in three school health centers serving primarily Latinx and African American youth. Participants (n=71) completed pre-and post-surveys about intention to change diet and exercise habits, knowledge and self-efficacy related to healthy eating, and social support. Focus groups were conducted after the intervention and 18 months later. Group visits were feasible and highly valued by study participants. Quantitative results showed a significant decrease in soda consumption, increased support from classmates, and an increased number of exercise days. In focus groups, youth endorsed cooking, tasting and shopping activities, noted the importance of family involvement in behavior change, and stated that stress reduction mindfulness exercises helped to change eating habits. Implications for school-based health care and school nursing are discussed.

Structural changes can benefit existing models of support groups including how and when support needs and services are discussed with survivors and a shift toward the inclusion of practical information.