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Vulliet C, Koci J, Sheaves M, Waltham N. Linking tidal wetland vegetation mosaics to micro-topography and hydroperiod in a tropical estuary. Mar Environ Res 2024; 197:106485. [PMID: 38598960 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Although saltmarshes are critical coastal ecosystems they are threatened by human activities and sea-level rise (SLR). Long-term restoration and management strategies are often hampered by an insufficient understanding of the past, present, and future processes that influence tidal wetland functionality and change. As understanding vegetation distribution in relation to elevation and tidal hydroperiod is often the basis of restoration and management decisions, this study investigated the relationships between micro-topography, tidal hydroperiod, and the distribution of saltmarshes, mangroves, and unvegetated flats in a tropical estuary situated within a Great Barrier Reef Catchment in North Queensland, Australia. A combination of high-resolution unattended-aerial-vehicle (UAV)-derived digital elevation model (DEMs) and land cover coupled with 2D hydrodynamic modelling was used to investigate these aspects. Zonation was more complex than generally recognised in restoration and legislation, with overlapping distribution across elevation. Additionally, although each type of tidal wetland cover had distinct mean hydroperiods, and elevation and hydroperiods were strongly correlated, elevation explained only 15% of the variability in tidal wetland cover distribution. This suggests that other factors (e.g., groundwater dynamics) likely contribute to tidal wetland cover zonation patterns. These findings underline that simplistic rules in the causality of tidal wetlands need to be applied with caution. Their applicability in management and restoration are likely to vary depending on contexts, as observed in our study site, with varying environmental and biological factors playing important roles in the distribution patterns of tidal wetland components. We also identified strong monthly variability in tidal hydroperiods and connectivity experienced by each tidal wetland cover (e.g., 10.26% of succulent saltmarshes were inundated during lower-than-average tides compared to 66% in higher than-average tides), highlighting the importance of integrating temporal dynamics in tidal wetland research and management. Additionally, we explored the potential effects of sea-level rise (SLR) on the tidal hydroperiods and connectivity of our study site. The results show that the inundation experienced by each tidal wetland cover may increase importantly if vegetation does not keep up with SLR (e.g., under a 0.8 m sea level scenarios, mean maximum depth of succulent saltmarsh in higher-than-average tides is 184.1 mm higher than the current mean-maximum inundation depth of mangroves). This underlines the importance of acquiring detailed spatio-temporally resolved data to enable the development of robust long-term and adaptive saltmarsh management strategies. Our results are discussed from a management and restoration perspective. We highlight the uncertainties and complexities in understanding the processes influencing tidal wetland functionality, and hence, their management and restoration prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cécile Vulliet
- TropWATER Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia.
| | - Jack Koci
- TropWATER Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia
| | - Marcus Sheaves
- TropWATER Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia
| | - Nathan Waltham
- TropWATER Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia; College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Bebegu Yumba, Townsville, QLD, 4814, Australia
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2
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Chirol C, Pontee N, Gallop SL, Thompson CEL, Kassem H, Haigh ID. Creek systems in restored coastal wetlands: Morphological evolution and design implications. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171067. [PMID: 38378055 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Saltmarsh restoration such as managed realignment (MR) projects often include excavation of simplified tidal creek networks to improve drainage and marsh functioning, but their design is based on limited evidence. This paper compares the morphological evolution of creek networks in current MR projects in the UK with creek networks in natural saltmarshes, in order to provide improved guidance. The evolution of creek networks was monitored for 2-20 years post-breach at 10 MR sites across the UK by semi-automatically extracting 12 morphological creek parameters from lidar. The rates of creek evolution in MR sites are linked to the initial tidal, morphological and sedimentological conditions using principal component analysis, then compared with power law relationships of morphological equilibrium defined from 13 mature natural saltmarshes. MR creeks evolved into larger, more complex, better distributed systems, with a total creek length and volume statistically similar to their natural counterparts. However, the creek volume remains poorly distributed, with a mean distance between creeks ranging from 33 to 101 m versus 5-15 m for natural mature saltmarshes. MR creeks are also clustered around the breach area, leaving the marsh interior poorly drained. MR creek network morphologies remain strongly influenced by the initial creek template, as evidenced by unnaturally straight creeks inherited from former drainage ditches. A combination of external conditions (i.e., tidal range, sediment concentration in the wider estuary) and local conditions (i.e., site elevation, topographical heterogeneity, soil compaction) controls how easily creeks can form within MR sites. This in turn determines the amount of engineering effort required to help achieve reference site conditions. The end goal of creek design is to create MR sites that closely resemble reference site conditions, however the final design is also likely to be affected by a range of practical factors (e.g. engineering/cost) unique to each site and project.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Chirol
- School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK; Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, UMR ECOSYS, 91120 Palaiseau, France.
| | - N Pontee
- School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK; Jacobs, Bristol BS2 0ZX, UK.
| | - S L Gallop
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Tauranga 3110, New Zealand; Environmental Research Institute, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
| | - C E L Thompson
- School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - H Kassem
- School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - I D Haigh
- School of Ocean and Earth Sciences, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
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Sheehy J, Bates R, Bell M, Porter J. Sounding out maerl sediment thickness: an integrated data approach. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5220. [PMID: 38433221 PMCID: PMC10909873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55324-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Maerl beds are listed as a priority marine feature in Scotland. They are noted for creating suitable benthic habitat for diverse communities of fauna and flora and in supporting a wide array of ecosystem services. Within the context of climate change, they are also recognised as a potential blue carbon habitat through sequestration of carbon in living biomass and underlying sediment. There are, however, significant data gaps on the potential of maerl carbon sequestration which impede inclusion in blue carbon policy frameworks. Key data gaps include sediment thickness, from which carbon content is extrapolated. There are additional logistical and financial barriers associated with quantification methods that aim to address these data gaps. This study investigates the use of sub-bottom profiling (SBP) to lessen financial and logistical constraints of maerl bed sediment thickness estimation and regional blue carbon quantification. SBP data were cross validated with cores, other SBP data on blue carbon sediments, and analysed with expert input. Combining SBP data with estimates of habitat health (as % cover) from drop-down video (DDV) data, and regional abiotic data, this study also elucidates links between abiotic and biotic factors in determining maerl habitat health and maerl sediment thickness through pathway analysis in structural equation modelling (SEM). SBP data were proved to be sufficiently robust for identification of maerl sediments when corroborated with core data. SBP and DDV data of maerl bed habitats in Orkney exhibited some positive correlations of sediment thickness with maerl % cover. The average maerl bed sediment thickness was 1.08 m across all ranges of habitat health. SEM analysis revealed maerl bed habitat health was strongly determined by abiotic factors. Maerl habitat health had a separate positive effect on maerl bed sediment thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Sheehy
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AW, Scotland.
| | - Richard Bates
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews, Bute Building, Queen's Terrace, St Andrews, KY16 9TS, Scotland
| | - Michael Bell
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AW, Scotland
| | - Jo Porter
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AW, Scotland
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Sheehy J, Porter J, Bell M, Kerr S. Redefining blue carbon with adaptive valuation for global policy. Sci Total Environ 2024; 908:168253. [PMID: 37926265 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Blue carbon has multiple definitions but is mostly defined, by criteria, as specific habitats or species: seagrass, saltmarsh, and mangrove. These qualifying criteria include significant capacity of carbon, long-term storage of carbon, feasibility of conservation to support carbon sequestration, and other criteria depending on the definition used. If 'blue carbon' habitats and species may change given new data, however, blue carbon will never fit a constant definition. As such, this approach underpins uncertainty in the blue carbon definition and impedes policy integration; policy frameworks require clear and unambiguous definitions. Global policy considers blue carbon for climate change mitigation through carbon trading. As such, the requirements for blue carbon inclusion in policy mechanisms are functionally determined by carbon trading verification agencies - Standard Setting Organisations (SSOs). In practice then, accreditation criteria override and make redundant the conditions used in criteria-based definitions of blue carbon. The definition of blue carbon would therefore be more effective in policy if simply aligned to the SSO's five criteria: an established baseline, additionality, permanence, leakage, and co-benefits. This paper presents a redefinition of blue carbon that is better aligned to policy application, accreditation criteria, and research agendas: This may include sedimentary stocks in addition to carbon stored in living biomass, which may be essential to protecting or maintaining sedimentary stocks of carbon, and with potential to be increased through protection and/or restoration. Alongside other recommendations, including a novel approach for adaptive accreditation and valuation, this paper explores how this redefinition of blue carbon would work in practice to support climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, and biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Sheehy
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland KW16 3AW, UK.
| | - Jo Porter
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland KW16 3AW, UK
| | - Michael Bell
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland KW16 3AW, UK
| | - Sandy Kerr
- International Centre for Island Technology, Heriot-Watt University, Orkney Campus, Robert Rendall Building, Franklin Road, Stromness, Orkney, Scotland KW16 3AW, UK
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Man Y, Liu K, Xie T, Zhou F, Shi W, Liu Z, Wang Q, Cui B. A multilevel social-ecological network approach for reconciling coastal saltmarsh conservation and development. J Environ Manage 2023; 345:118647. [PMID: 37490840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
In a large-scale region, governance for connectivity in an ecological system often conflicts with management boundaries, causing inefficiencies. Collaboration among management organizations in different areas can help overcome this problem. However, few studies quantified the collaborations' practical relationship with connectivity, considering that some potentially connected paths are easy to neglect by managers. In this paper, collaborations among government agencies in project application process were analyzed, and a multilevel social-ecological network analysis (SENA) approach was developed to identify the collaboration's effect on genetically connected coastal areas. The network framework and methods were shown in a case of coastal saltmarsh conservation and development in the Yellow River Delta, China. Collaboration patterns in conservation and development networks were analyzed and compared among local, subregional, and regional government agencies working in genetically connected coastal areas. Project information flow, reflecting communication frequency and decision-making chances among government agencies was quantified and correlated with ecological connectivity to inform governance effects. Results showed areas with the potential to realize social-ecological alignment, where collaborative networks were measured by network density (percentage of connected network edges). The current reveals that development has more significant potential than conservation at most levels to overcome the misalignment of the social-ecological system, also known as scale mismatch. Empirical evidence also showed a correlation between communication capacity in development networks and improved ecological conditions. The multilevel SENA advanced in this paper can be used for natural resource management when connectivity plays a major role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Man
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong, 257500, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Space Utilization, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100094, China
| | - Tian Xie
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong, 257500, China
| | - Fangwen Zhou
- China Construction Eco-Environmental Group Co., LTD, Beijing, 100070, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Environmental Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Department of Civil Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Zezheng Liu
- Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong, 257500, China; Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong, 257500, China; Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China.
| | - Baoshan Cui
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong, 257500, China.
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6
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Browett LC, Ruiz-Lopez S, Mossman HL, Dean AP, Rivett DW. Prior exposure of microbial communities to seawater reduces resilience but increases compositional and functional resistance to flooding events. Sci Total Environ 2023; 896:165040. [PMID: 37385495 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Storm surges, flooding, and the encroachment of seawater onto agricultural land are predicted to increase with climate change. These flooding events fundamentally alter many soil properties and have knock-on effects on the microbial community composition and its functioning. The hypotheses tested in this study were (1) that the extent of change (resistance) of microbial community functioning and structure during seawater flooding is a factor of pre-adaptation to the stress, and (2) if structure and function are altered, the pre-adaptation will result in communities returning to previous state prior to flooding (resilience) faster than unexposed communities. We chose a naturally occurring saltmarsh-terrestrial pasture gradient from which three elevations were selected to create mesocosms. By selecting these sites, we were able to incorporate the legacy of differing levels of seawater ingress and exposure. Mesocosms were submerged in seawater for 0, 1, 96- and 192-h, with half of the mesocosms sacrificed immediately after flooding, and the other half taken after a 14 day "recovery" period. The following parameters were monitored: 1) changes in soil environmental parameters, 2) prokaryotic community composition, and 3) microbial functioning. Our results indicated that any length of seawater inundation significantly altered the physicochemical properties of all the soils, although a greater change is observed in the pasture site compared to the saltmarsh sites. These changes remained following a recovery period. Interestingly, our results indicated that for community composition, there was a high degree of resistance for the Saltmarsh mesocosms, with the Pasture mesocosm displaying higher resilience. Further, we observed a functional shift in the enzyme activities with labile hemicellulose being preferentially utilised over cellulose, with the effect increasing with longer floods. These results suggest that changing bacterial physiology is more critical to understanding the impact of storm surges on agricultural systems than bulk community change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis C Browett
- Ecology and the Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Sharon Ruiz-Lopez
- Ecology and the Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Hannah L Mossman
- Ecology and the Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew P Dean
- Ecology and the Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK..
| | - Damian W Rivett
- Ecology and the Environment Research Centre, Department of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK..
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7
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Liang W, Chen X, Zhao C, Li L, He D. Seasonal changes of dissolved organic matter chemistry and its linkage with greenhouse gas emissions in saltmarsh surface water and porewater interactions. Water Res 2023; 245:120582. [PMID: 37708777 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is one of the largest reactive reservoirs of carbon on earth. Saltmarshes play an essential role in shaping the fate of DOM and greenhouse gas (GHG) production in surface water and groundwater interactions in coastal areas. However, the coupling mechanism between DOM and GHG production is poorly understood. In this study, DOM in both surface water and porewater were analyzed by 3D excitation-emission-matrix spectroscopy under different seasonal and tidal conditions in a saltmarsh. Protein-like DOM was likely to produce CH4, while humic-like DOM tended to produce CO2. CH4 concentration was highly enriched in porewater because increasing fresh groundwater flow introduced small-sized protein-like DOM. Based on the mass balance model, >98.5% of CH4 was oxidated to CO2 in sediment-water interface. The degradation of sediment-derived DOC (especially humic-like DOM) contributes ∼80% of the total amount of CO2 in surface water. Both hydrodynamics and chemical reactions are suggested to influence greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Hydrodynamics (e.g., tidal pumping) are controlling factors in short timescales (hourly/weekly) while chemical reactions become crucial in influencing DOM chemistry and related degradation rate on seasonal scales. These findings emphasize the importance of the coupling mechanism at different time scales between DOM characteristics and GHG emissions in saltmarshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhao Liang
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaogang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environment and Resources of Zhejiang Province, School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ding He
- Department of Ocean Science and Center for Ocean Research in Hong Kong and Macau, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Science, Wuhan 430071, China.
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8
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Gorman D, Beale DJ, Crosswell J, Stephenson SA, Shah RM, Hillyer KE, Steven ADL. Multiple-biomarkers show the importance of blue carbon to commercially important fishery species. Sci Total Environ 2023; 881:163162. [PMID: 37030372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Coastal blue carbon ecosystems (BCE) support nearshore food webs and provide habitat for many commercially important fish and crustacean species. However, the complex links between catchment vegetation and the carbon food-base of estuarine systems are difficult to disern. We employed a multi-biomarker approach (stable isotope ratios - δ13C and δ15N, fatty acid trophic markers - FATMs and metabolomics - central carbon metabolism metabolites) to test links between estuarine vegetation and the food sources available to commercially important crabs and fish occurring within the river systems of the near-pristine eastern coastline of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia. Stable isotope analysis confirmed the dietary importance of fringing macrophytes to consumer diet, but showed that this is modulated by their dominance along the riverbank. FATMs indicative of specific food sources further confirmed the differences among upper intertidal macrophytes (driven by concentrations of 16: 1ω7, 18:1ω9, 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3 & 22.0) and seagrass (driven by 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3). These dietary patterns were also reflected in the concentration of central carbon metabolism metabolites. Overall, our study demonstrates the congruence of different biomarker approaches to resolve biochemical links between blue carbon ecosystems and important nekton species, and provides fresh insights into the pristine tropical estuaries of northern Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Gorman
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, Crawley, Australia.
| | - David J Beale
- CSIRO, Ecoscience Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Rohan M Shah
- CSIRO, Ecoscience Precinct, Dutton Park, QLD, Australia
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Xiao M, Cai T, Wang X, Cheng J, Liu B, Xia X, Chen Y. Response of native and exotic saltmarsh species to sediment deposition addition. Sci Total Environ 2023; 888:164271. [PMID: 37209748 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The native saltmarsh species Scirpus mariqueter (hereafter S. mariqueter) and the exotic species saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel., hereafter S. alterniflora), have been found commonly in regional saltmarsh ecosystems which received a large amount of sediment inputs from Yangtze River, eastern coasts of China. For the purpose of saltmarsh restoration and invasive species management, it is important to understand the response of vegetation species to various sediment inputs. This study investigated and compared the effects of sediment addition on S. mariqueter and S. alterniflora through laboratory experiment using vegetation samples collected from a natural saltmarsh with a high sedimentation rate (12 cm a-1). Plant growth parameters over their growth period, including survival rate, height and biomass were measured against sediment addition gradient (0 cm, 3 cm, 6 cm, 9 cm, and 12 cm in thickness). The results showed that sediment addition significantly affected the growth of vegetation but this effect varied between two species. Compared with the control group, the growth of S. mariqueter was promoted with sediment addition of 3-6 cm, but it turned to inhibition when the sediment thickness exceeded 6 cm. The growth of S. alterniflora was increased with increasing sediment addition till 9-12 cm, but the survival rate of each group kept stable. Overall, against a gradient sediment addition, S. mariqueter was found to benefit from low to moderate sediment addition (3-6 cm) but higher addition showed inhabitation effects. S. alterniflora benefited from increasing sediment addition to a point. When facing high sediment inputs, S. alterniflora was found to be more adaptable than S. mariqueter. These results have important implications for further studies on saltmarsh restoration and interspecific competition against a high sediment input background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Xiao
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Tinglu Cai
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Xinkai Wang
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Jie Cheng
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; College of Harbor, Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Xiaoming Xia
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Yining Chen
- Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China.
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10
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Conrad SR, Santos IR, White SA, Holloway CJ, Brown DR, Wadnerkar PD, Correa RE, Woodrow RL, Sanders CJ. Land use change increases contaminant sequestration in blue carbon sediments. Sci Total Environ 2023; 873:162175. [PMID: 36801407 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Coastal blue carbon habitats perform many important environmental functions, including long-term carbon and anthropogenic contaminant storage. Here, we analysed twenty-five 210Pb-dated mangrove, saltmarsh, and seagrass sediment cores from six estuaries across a land-use gradient to determine metal, metalloid, and phosphorous sedimentary fluxes. Cadmium, arsenic, iron, and manganese had linear to exponential positive correlations between concentrations, sediment flux, geoaccumulation index, and catchment development. Increases in anthropogenic development (agricultural or urban land uses) from >30 % of the total catchment area enhanced mean concentrations of arsenic, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc between 1.5 and 4.3-fold. A ~ 30 % anthropogenic land-use was the threshold in which blue carbon sediment quality begins to be detrimentally impacted on an entire estuary scale. Fluxes of phosphorous, cadmium, lead, and aluminium responded similarly, increasing 1.2 to 2.5-fold when anthropogenic land-use increased by at least 5 %. Exponential increases in phosphorus flux to estuary sediments seem to precede eutrophication as observed in more developed estuaries. Overall, multiple lines of evidence revealed how catchment development drives blue carbon sediment quality across a regional scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Conrad
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Isaac R Santos
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia; Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 461, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Shane A White
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Ceylena J Holloway
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Dylan R Brown
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Praktan D Wadnerkar
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Rogger E Correa
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia; Corporacion Merceditas - Merceditas Corporation, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Rebecca L Woodrow
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia
| | - Christian J Sanders
- National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, P.O. Box 157, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2540, Australia.
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11
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Alam MR, Rahman MM, Kit Yu RM, MacFarlane GR. Offspring of metal contaminated saltmarsh (Juncus acutus) exhibit tolerance to the essential metal Zn but not the nonessential metal Pb. Environ Pollut 2023; 323:121333. [PMID: 36822307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Halophytes residing in metal-contaminated saltmarsh habitats may employ strategies to enhance fitness of the next generation. We aimed to test the hypothesis that Juncus acutus individuals inhabiting metal-contaminated locations would experience elevated tolerance of offspring to metals compared to plants residing in locations with no metal contamination history. J. acutus seeds (F1 generation) were collected from F0 parent plants residing at eight locations of a contemporary sediment metal gradient (contaminated to uncontaminated) across the coast of NSW, Australia (Hunter river, Lake Macquarie and Georges River). Seeds were exposed in the laboratory to incremental Zn (0.0-1.6 mM) and Pb (0.0-0.50 mM) for nine (9) days, and % germination, germination rate, root elongation and vigour index were assessed for the determination of tolerance. Greater root accumulation (BCF = 1.01) of Zn and subsequent translocation to aerial parts (culm BCF = 0.58 and capsule BCF = 0.85) were exhibited in parents plants, whereas Pb was excluded from roots (BCF = 0.60) and very little translocation to aerial portions of the plant was observed (culm BCF = 0.02 and capsule BCF = 0.05). F1 offspring exhibited tolerance to Zn with EC50 (% germination) significantly correlated with their parents' culm (R2 = 0.93, p = 0.00) and capsule (R2 = 0.57; p = 0.03) Zn. No correlations were observed between offspring Pb tolerance and Pb in parents' plant tissues. Enhanced tolerance to the essential metal Zn may be because Zn is very mobile in the parent plant and seeds experience greater Zn load as a significant portion of sediment Zn reaches capsules (85%). Thus, Zn tolerance in J. acutus seeds is likely attributable to acclimation via maternal transfer of Zn; however, further manipulative experiments are required to disentangle potential acclimation, adaptation or epigenetic effects in explaining the tolerance observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Rushna Alam
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Department of Aquaculture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali, 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Richard Man Kit Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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12
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Grey A, Costeira R, Lorenzo E, O’Kane S, McCaul MV, McCarthy T, Jordan SF, Allen CCR, Kelleher BP. Geochemical properties of blue carbon sediments through an elevation gradient: study of an anthropogenically impacted coastal lagoon. Biogeochemistry 2023; 162:381-408. [PMID: 36873378 PMCID: PMC9971090 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-022-00974-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Global research is showing that coastal blue carbon ecosystems are vulnerable to climate change driven threats including accelerated sea-level rise and prolonged periods of drought. Furthermore, direct anthropogenic impacts present immediate threats through deterioration of coastal water quality, land reclamation, long-term impact to sediment biogeochemical cycling. These threats will invariably alter the future efficacy of carbon (C) sequestration processes and it is imperative that currently existing blue carbon habitats be protected. Knowledge of underlying biogeochemical, physical and hydrological interactions occurring in functioning blue carbon habitats is essential for developing strategies to mitigate threats, and promote conditions to optimise C sequestration/storage. In this current work, we investigated how sediment geochemistry (0-10 cm depth) responds to elevation, an edaphic factor driven by long-term hydrological regimes consequently exerting control over particle sedimentation rates and vegetation succession. This study was performed in an anthropogenically impacted blue carbon habitat along a coastal ecotone encompassing an elevation gradient transect from intertidal sediments (un-vegetated and covered daily by tidal water), through vegetated salt marsh sediments (periodically covered by spring tides and flooding events), on Bull Island, Dublin Bay. We determined the quantity and distributions of bulk geochemical characteristics in sediments through the elevation gradient, including total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total metals, silt, clay, and also, 16 individual polyaromatic hydrocarbon's (PAH's) as an indication of anthropogenic input. Elevation measurements for sample sites were determined on this gradient using a LiDAR scanner accompanied by an IGI inertial measurement unit (IMU) on board a light aircraft. Considering the gradient from the Tidal mud zone (T), through the low-mid marsh (M) to the most elevated upper marsh (H), there were significant differences between all zones for many measured environmental variables. The results of significance testing using Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed, that %C, %N, PAH (µg/g), Mn (mg/kg), TOC:NH4 + and pH are significantly different between all zones on the elevation gradient. The highest values for all these variables exists (excluding pH which followed a reverse trend) in zone H, decreasing in zone M and lowest in the un-vegetated zone T. TC content is 16 fold higher overall in vegetated (3.43 -21.84%) than uninhabited (0.21-0.56%) sediments. TN was over 50 times higher (0.24-1.76%), more specifically increasing in % mass on approach to the upper salt marsh with distance from the tidal flats sediments zone T (0.002-0.05%). Clay and silt distributions were greatest in vegetated sediments, increasing in % content towards upper marsh zones The retention of water, metals, PAHs, mud, chloride ions, NH4 +, PO4 3- and SO4 2- increased with elevated C concentrations, concurrently where pH significantly decreased. Sediments were categorized with respect to PAH contamination where all SM samples were placed in the high polluted category. The results highlight the ability of Blue C sediments to immobilise increasing levels of C, N, and metals, and PAH with over time and with both lateral and vertical expansion. This study provides a valuable data set for an anthropogenically impacted blue carbon habitat predicted to suffer from sea-level rise and exponential urban development. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Summarized results from this study demonstrating the geochemical changes through an elevation gradient, with a transect encompassing intertidal sediments through supratidal salt marsh sediments within Bull Island's blue carbon lagoon zones. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10533-022-00974-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Grey
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
| | - Ricardo Costeira
- The School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, N. Ireland
| | - Emmaline Lorenzo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045 USA
| | - Sean O’Kane
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Margaret V. McCaul
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tim McCarthy
- National Centre for Geocomputation, Maynooth University, Kildare, Ireland
| | - Sean F. Jordan
- Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Brian P. Kelleher
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland
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13
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Hossain MB, Rahman MA, Hossain MK, Nur AAU, Sultana S, Semme S, Albeshr MF, Arai T, Yu J. Contamination status and associated ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in different wetland sediments from an urbanized estuarine ecosystem. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 185:114246. [PMID: 36279725 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sediment samples of different wetland types (saltmarsh, mangrove, tidal pool, mudflat and sandflat) from an urbanized estuary were analyzed to evaluate the contamination level and ecological risks of five heavy metals (Pb, Fe, Zn, Ni and Cr). The findings showed that the mean concentration (mg/kg) of heavy metals followed the order of Fe > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cr, while Pb and Fe concentrations exceeded the recommended guidelines. Heavy metals levels were highest in saltmarsh and mudflats. Contamination assessment indices e.g., contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (CD), enrichment factor (EF), and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) revealed that the studied wetlands had low to moderate levels of pollution, meaning these sites receive medium levels of anthropogenic contamination compared with background values. For some of the studied metals, such as Pb, Zn, Fe, and Ni, the EF value was >1 in certain types of wetland, indicating anthropogenic sources, while Cr was <1 indicating natural sources. The pollution load index (PLI) value was determined to be <1, indicating perfection of soil, and was in the following order: mudflat> saltmarsh> tidal pool> mangrove > sandflat. The ecological risk (RI) value was the highest for saltmarsh and the lowest for sandflats. However, the RI value for Cr, Zn, Ni, and Pb was <30 suggesting that these metals pose a low risk in the local ecosystem. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA), and Pearson's correlation specified that anthropogenic sources of metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belal Hossain
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia; Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh.
| | - M Asrafur Rahman
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Md Kamal Hossain
- Soil and Environment Research Section, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh.
| | - As-Ad Ujjaman Nur
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Salma Sultana
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Sanjida Semme
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Fahad Albeshr
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Takaomi Arai
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE 1410, Brunei Darussalam.
| | - Jimmy Yu
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia.
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14
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Zhao Z, Zhang L, Yuan L, Bouma TJ. Unraveling the wheel of recruitment for salt-marsh seedlings: Resistance to and recovery after dislodgement. Sci Total Environ 2022; 847:157595. [PMID: 35905966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Elucidating bottlenecks at critical life stages and quantifying associated resilience (including resistance and recovery) to physical processes are central in inform restoration and attain sustainable development of coastal biogeomorphic ecosystems. Seedling establishment is a key life stage determines saltmarsh restoration potentials. However, the resilience of these recruits, especially through recovery, remains poorly understood. Here, two contrasting globally occurring saltmarsh species, namely Salicornia europaea and Spartina anglica, were employed to generate insights in i) seedling resistance against dislodgement, and ii) seedling recovery potential after dislodgement. Regarding resistance, we found that 1) root-shoot antagonism characterizes the growth rate of seedling resistance to dislodgement through hydraulic disturbance, 2) the root length determines seedling resistance to dislodgement through sheet erosion; 3) a 5 mm sedimentary setting amplifies seedling resistance without inhibiting their morphological evolution. Regarding recovery, we found that 4) dislodged seedlings have a high probability for achieving long-distance dispersal; 5) seedling age and the inundation-free period regulate the re-establishment potential of dislodged seedlings. Overall, S. anglica showed stronger resilience than S. europaea, characterized by stronger seedling resistance against dislodgement and higher re-establishment potential. Our results on seedling resilience suggest that seedling dislodgement is not an end-of-life cycle but a new spin on the "Wheel of Recruitment", a proposed short-term cyclic behavior with alternating phases of seedling dislodgement, dispersal, and (re-)establishment. The Wheel of Recruitment concept is important for forecasting resilience and persistence of biogeomorphic systems such as salt marshes under global change and for guiding life cycle informed restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Center for Blue Carbon Science and Technology, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China; Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 4401 NT Yerseke, the Netherlands; Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Liquan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Center for Blue Carbon Science and Technology, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, Center for Blue Carbon Science and Technology, East China Normal University, 200241 Shanghai, China; Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, 202162 Shanghai, China.
| | - Tjeerd J Bouma
- Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 4401 NT Yerseke, the Netherlands; Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Physical Geography, Utrecht University, 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands; HZ University of Applied Sciences, Building with Nature group, 4382 NW Vlissingen, the Netherlands.
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15
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Mishra AK, Farooq SH. Lack of ecological data hinders management of ecologically important saltmarsh ecosystems: A case study of saltmarsh plant Porterasia coarctata (Roxb.). J Environ Manage 2022; 321:115957. [PMID: 35998536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Saltmarsh ecosystems though ecologically important are one of the least studied ecosystems in Asia. This study reviewed the published literature from 1988 to 2021 of India to assess the current status of the data deficient saltmarsh species Porterasia coarctata (Roxb.) within its distribution limits. This saltmarsh species inhabits the lower intertidal silty-sandy habitats of India's west coast and silty-clay habitats of the east coast. In the lower intertidal zone, P. coarctata is mostly associated with Myrostachia wightiana, whereas in the upper intertidal zone the highest chance of presence was for Suaeda maritima (18%) and the lowest for Cressa cretica (1%), S. fruticosa (1%) and Scirpus littoralis (1%). The deep root system of P. coarctata helps in sediment accretion and facilitates the formation of mangrove ecosystems. From this study it was evident that most of the research on P. coarctata in India was part of survey of mangrove ecosystems. In India, significant knowledge gap exists on the reproductive ecology and population trends of this species. Most importantly, the genes responsible for salinity and submergence tolerance of P. coarctata are well documented, that can provide solutions for salt and submergence tolerant rice plants in coastal areas prone to sea level rise. The blue carbon storage potential of P. coarctata is higher than other saltmarsh plants, that can be leveraged as a nature-based solution for CO2 emission reductions. The ecosystem services of P. coarctata can also contribute towards achieving various sustainable development goals (SDG-1,2,6,13 and14). Coastal development, mangrove restoration and marine food provisioning are the most important drivers causing the decline of P. coarctata ecosystems across India. This study proposes a long-term coastal monitoring plan for essential conservation and management of existing P. coarctata beds and preventing further degradation and loss of these ecosystems. This study also showcases species-specific valuation of individual saltmarsh plants at regional scale are essential to catalogue the most efficient saltmarsh plants that can play an important role in future climate change scenarios and serve as a global model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Kumar Mishra
- School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul Campus, Khorda, Odisha, India.
| | - Syed Hilal Farooq
- School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul Campus, Khorda, Odisha, India
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16
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Zhou C, Zhang Y, Li S, Jiang Q, Chen H, Zhu T, Xu X, Liu H, Qiu S, Wu J, Nie M, Li B. Exogenous nitrogen from riverine exports promotes soil methane production in saltmarshes in China. Sci Total Environ 2022; 838:156203. [PMID: 35618128 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Methane emissions from saltmarshes can potentially promote climate warming. Soil methane production is positively correlated with methane emissions from saltmarshes. Understanding the factors influencing soil methane production will improve the prediction of methane emissions, but an investigation of these factors has not been conducted in saltmarshes in China. We collected soils from native Phragmites australis and invasive Spartina alterniflora saltmarshes along the coast of China; the soil potential methane production (PMP) was determined by incubation experiments. The large-scale investigation results showed that the ratios of methanogens relative to sulfate-reducing bacteria (RMRS) and total organic carbon (TOC) were positively correlated with soil PMP for both species. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was positively correlated with the soil PMP of P. australis saltmarshes, and plant biomass was positively correlated with the soil PMP of S. alterniflora saltmarshes. Our results showed that exogenous nitrogen from riverine exports was positively correlated with DIN and plant biomass in both P. australis and S. alterniflora saltmarshes. In addition, exogenous nitrogen was also positively correlated with TOC in S. alterniflora saltmarshes. Consequently, exogenous nitrogen indirectly promoted soil methane production in P. australis saltmarshes by increasing the DIN and promoted soil methane production in S. alterniflora saltmarshes by enhancing the TOC and plant biomass. Moreover, we found that the promoting effect of DIN on the soil PMP of P. australis saltmarshes increased when the incubation temperature increased from 15 °C to 25 °C. Thus, the promoting effect of exogenous nitrogen on the soil methane production in P. australis saltmarshes might be strengthened in the peak of growing season. Our findings are the first to confirm that exogenous nitrogen inputs from rivers indirectly promote soil methane production in P. australis and S. alterniflora saltmarshes and provide new insights into the factors responsible for soil methane production in saltmarshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Songshuo Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiuyue Jiang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hongyang Chen
- Center for Ecological Research, Key Laboratory of Sustainable Forest Ecosystem Management-Ministry of Education, School of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Xiao Xu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shiyun Qiu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jihua Wu
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Ming Nie
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Bo Li
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Biodiversity Science and Ecological Engineering, National Observations and Research Station for Wetland Ecosystems of the Yangtze Estuary, Institute of Biodiversity Science and Institute of Eco-Chongming, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plant Reproductive Adaptation and Evolutionary Ecology and Centre for Invasion Biology, Institute of Biodiversity, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650504, Yunnan, China.
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17
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Blake RE, Olin JA. Responses to simultaneous anthropogenic and biological stressors were mixed in an experimental saltmarsh ecosystem. Mar Environ Res 2022; 179:105644. [PMID: 35696877 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are essential for absorbing and bouncing back from the impacts of climate change, yet accelerating climate change is causing anthropogenically-derived stressors in these ecosystems to grow. The effects of stressors are more difficult to foresee when they act simultaneously, however, predicting these effects is critical for understanding ecological change. Spartina alterniflora (Spartina), a foundational saltmarsh plant key to coastal resilience, is subject to biological stress such as herbivory, as well as anthropogenic stress such as chemical pollution. Using saltmarsh mesocosms as a model system in a fully factorial experiment, we tested whether the effects of herbivory and two chemicals (oil and dispersant) were mediated or magnified in combination. Spartina responded to stressors asynchronously; ecophysiology responded negatively to oil and herbivores in the first 2-3 weeks of the experiment, whereas biomass responded negatively to oil and herbivores cumulatively throughout the experiment. We generally found mixed multi-stressor effects, with slightly more antagonistic effects compared to either synergistic or additive effects, despite significant reductions in Spartina biomass and growth from both chemical and herbivore treatments. We also observed an indirect positive effect of oil on Spartina, via a direct negative effect on insect herbivores. Our findings suggest that multi-stressor effects in our model system, 1) are mixed but can be antagonistic more often than expected, a finding contrary to previous assumptions of primarily synergistic effects, 2) can vary in duration, 3) can be difficult to discern a priori, and 4) can lead to ecological surprises through indirect effects with implications for coastal resilience. This leads us to conclude that understanding the simultaneous effects of multiple stressors is critical for predicting foundation-species persistence, discerning ecosystem resilience, and managing and mitigating impacts on ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael E Blake
- Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; DataKind, 419 McDonald Ave Unit 180184, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| | - Jill A Olin
- Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA
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18
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Nazneen S, Mishra AK, Raju NJ, Mehmood G. Coastal macrophytes as bioindicators of trace metals in the Asia's largest lagoon ecosystem. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 178:113576. [PMID: 35398688 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coastal trace metal contamination is of serious concern and the role of new bioindicator species in monitoring of trace metals is essential. The present study quantified the concentration of trace metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the sediment and the macrophytes of Chilika lagoon, India, and investigated the bioindicator potential of the seagrasses, saltmarshes and macroalgae. The Igeo values for sediment indicated significant contamination of Cu and Zn in seagrass, Cu, Ni and Zn in saltmarsh and moderate contamination of Cr, Cu and Pb in macroalgal ecosystems. In general, the Bio-Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) indicated that the macrophytes accumulated higher concentration of Mn and Ni from the sediments. The high concentration of trace metals in the sediment of the three macrophytes ecosystems did not result in higher accumulation of the same metals in the tissues of the respective macrophytes suggesting metal specific and species-specific behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Nazneen
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Amrit Kumar Mishra
- School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Argul, Khorda, Odisha 752050, India
| | - N Janardhana Raju
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Gauhar Mehmood
- Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
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19
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Huang R, Zhang C, Xu X, Jin R, Li D, Christakos G, Xiao X, He J, Agusti S, Duarte CM, Wu J. Underestimated PAH accumulation potential of blue carbon vegetation: Evidence from sedimentary records of saltmarsh and mangrove in Yueqing Bay, China. Sci Total Environ 2022; 817:152887. [PMID: 35026243 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Sediments of blue carbon vegetation are becoming a sink of natural and anthropogenic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, the extent to which PAHs are accumulated and varied in blue carbon sediments, and the impact of blue carbon vegetation on the accumulation and retention capacity of PAHs, have been poorly explored. This study examines the sedimentary records of PAHs in profiles from mangrove plantation, saltmarsh, and mudflat in Ximen Island and Maoyan Island of Yueqing Bay, China. The existence of blue carbon vegetation provides a sheltered environment for the accelerated burial of sediment and OC. Decadal PAH sedimentation records show staged changes characterized by the emission of PAHs and colonization of blue carbon vegetation, reflecting the accelerated burial of PAHs in sediments by blue carbon vegetation colonization. In addition, the colonization of blue carbon vegetation contributes to the shift of PAH compositions in sediments. This study provides new insights into the underestimated PAH accumulation potential and retention capacity of blue carbon vegetation and the corresponding underlying sediments, supporting the environmental benefits of blue carbon vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runqiu Huang
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
| | | | - Xiangrong Xu
- South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Runjie Jin
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Dan Li
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
| | - George Christakos
- Department of Geography, San Diego State University, California, USA
| | - Xi Xiao
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Junyu He
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China
| | - Susana Agusti
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jiaping Wu
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, China.
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20
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Rendón OR, Sandorf ED, Beaumont NJ. Heterogeneity of values for coastal flood risk management with nature-based solutions. J Environ Manage 2022; 304:114212. [PMID: 34923412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand preferences for different coastal flood protection measures and the factors that influence such preferences, to inform management and policy. The Discrete Choice Experiment applied to Wales residents revealed that there is willingness-to-pay for coastal flood protection, especially through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) including expanding saltmarsh area and increasing saltmarsh with high vegetation. The preference for NbS provides evidence for including specific coastal area targets in financial schemes initially aimed at other benefits from natural habitats, such as habitat creation for biodiversity. This joint action will maximise the benefits from NbS and ensure integrated and concerted efforts across, often disjointed, sectors. There were also high levels of heterogeneity for preferences in different groups of people. For instance, results support that direct flood experience and damage severity can give rise to behavioural intentions that support mitigation and adaptation measures. Findings also highlight how crucial environmental education and direct contact with the object of study are for securing support and buy-in for flood protection measures. This work is original in that it considers the different types of management for a habitat as NbS and the heterogeneity of preferences within a population. Results are significant in providing a basis for future NbS developments and in supporting flood risk policy and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia R Rendón
- Sea and Society Group, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK.
| | - Erlend Dancke Sandorf
- Economics Division, Stirling Management School, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, UK
| | - Nicola J Beaumont
- Sea and Society Group, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
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21
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Chen Q, Smit C, Pen I, Olff H. Small herbivores and abiotic heterogeneity promote trait variation of a saltmarsh plant in local communities. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12633. [PMID: 35036137 PMCID: PMC8710046 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific trait variation (ITV) enables plants to respond to global changes. However, causes for ITV, especially from biotic components such as herbivory, are not well understood. We explored whether small vertebrate herbivores (hares and geese) impact ITV of a dominant clonal plant (Elytrigia atherica) in local communities. Moreover, we looked at the relative importance of their direct (e.g., selective grazing) and indirect effects (altering genotypic richness/diversity and abiotic environment) on ITV. We used exclosures at two successional stages in a Dutch saltmarsh, where grazing pressure at the early successional stage was ca. 1.5 times higher than that of the intermediate successional stage. We measured key functional traits of E. atherica including height, aboveground biomass, flowering (flower or not), specific leaf area, and leaf dry matter content in local communities (1 m × 1 m plots) inside and outside the exclosures. We determined genotypic richness and diversity of each plant using molecular markers. We further measured abiotic variations in topography and clay thickness (a proxy for soil total nitrogen). Structural equation models revealed that small herbivores significantly promoted ITV in height and flowering at the early successional stage, while they marginally promoted ITV in height at the intermediate successional stage. Moreover, the direct effects of herbivores played a major role in promoting ITV. Small herbivores decreased genotypic diversity at the intermediate successional stage, but genotypic richness and diversity did not impact ITV. Small herbivores did not alter topographic variation and variation in clay thickness, but these variations increased ITV in all traits at the early successional stage. Small herbivores may not only impact trait means in plants as studies have shown but also their ITV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Chen
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Smit
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ido Pen
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Han Olff
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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22
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Holmquist JR, Windham-Myers L. A Conterminous USA-Scale Map of Relative Tidal Marsh Elevation. Estuaries Coast 2022; 45:1596-1614. [PMID: 35903080 PMCID: PMC9309155 DOI: 10.1007/s12237-021-01027-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Tidal wetlands provide myriad ecosystem services across local to global scales. With their uncertain vulnerability or resilience to rising sea levels, there is a need for mapping flooding drivers and vulnerability proxies for these ecosystems at a national scale. However, tidal wetlands in the conterminous USA are diverse with differing elevation gradients, and tidal amplitudes, making broad geographic comparisons difficult. To address this, a national-scale map of relative tidal elevation (Z*MHW), a physical metric that normalizes elevation to tidal amplitude at mean high water (MHW), was constructed for the first time at 30 × 30-m resolution spanning the conterminous USA. Contrary to two study hypotheses, watershed-level median Z*MHW and its variability generally increased from north to south as a function of tidal amplitude and relative sea-level rise. These trends were also observed in a reanalysis of ground elevation data from the Pacific Coast by Janousek et al. (Estuaries and Coasts 42 (1): 85-98, 2019). Supporting a third hypothesis, propagated uncertainty in Z*MHW increased from north to south as light detection and ranging (LiDAR) errors had an outsized effect under narrowing tidal amplitudes. The drivers of Z*MHW and its variability are difficult to determine because several potential causal variables are correlated with latitude, but future studies could investigate highest astronomical tide and diurnal high tide inequality as drivers of median Z*MHW and Z*MHW variability, respectively. Watersheds of the Gulf Coast often had propagated Z*MHW uncertainty greater than the tidal amplitude itself emphasizing the diminished practicality of applying Z*MHW as a flooding proxy to microtidal wetlands. Future studies could focus on validating and improving these physical map products and using them for synoptic modeling of tidal wetland carbon dynamics and sea-level rise vulnerability analyses. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12237-021-01027-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- James R. Holmquist
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037 USA
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23
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Mishra AK, Farooq SH. Trace metal accumulation in seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems of India: comparative assessment and bioindicator potential. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 174:113251. [PMID: 34954634 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coastal macrophytes serve as bioindicators of coastal trace metal contamination. In this study, trace metal levels in India's seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems were assessed for their suitability as bioindicators of metal contamination. Trace metal accumulation and bioindicator potential of both seagrasses and saltmarshes were found to be metal and species-specific. Higher concentrations of Cu, Fe, Mg and Mn were found in the tissues of seagrasses, while saltmarshes showed higher accumulation of Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. The leaves of seagrasses are suitable bioindicator of metals in the water column, while the roots and rhizomes of saltmarshes/seagrasses are suitable bioindicators of metals in the sediment. This study proposes the development of a monitoring network using seagrasses and saltmarss as model organisms for short and long-term monitoring of coastal metal contamination. Determining the phytotoxic levels of trace metals in seagrasses and saltmarsh is important for monitoring plant die-offs and loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amrit Kumar Mishra
- School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Khorda, Odisha, India.
| | - Syed Hilal Farooq
- School of Earth Ocean and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Khorda, Odisha, India
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24
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Abstract
Temperate saltmarshes and tropical mangrove swamps (mangals) are marine-influenced, productive ecosystems that enhance nutrient transfers between land and sea and facilitate colonization of lineages between terrestrial and marine habitats. Mangals have existed since the late Cretaceous, but the time of origin of saltmarshes is less clear. On the basis of phylogenetic and fossil evidence for plants and molluscs specialized to these ecosystems, I propose that saltmarsh vegetation of angiosperms began during the latest Eocene to Early Oligocene (35-30 Ma), at least 34 m.y. after the origin of mangals. The plants that colonized saltmarshes then and later have mainly temperate origins, contrasting with the tropical-forest origins of mangroves. Unlike the plants, the few saltmarsh-specialized molluscs are derived from tropical lineages and reflect recent colonizations. The development of saltmarshes during the Neogene enhanced near shore productivity along temperate and Arctic coastlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geerat J. Vermeij
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of California‐DavisCaliforniaUSA
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25
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Stein TJ, Alam MR, Tran TKA, MacFarlane GR. Metal(loid) uptake and partitioning within the saltmarsh halophyte, Juncus kraussii. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 170:112690. [PMID: 34229150 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An investigation was conducted over three estuaries in SE Australia with a gradient in metal(loid) contamination to assess metal(loid) (Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Pb) accumulation and transport within the halophytic saltmarsh rush, Juncus kraussii. Sydney Olympic Park exhibited the most elevated metal(loid) contamination, followed by Hunter Wetlands and Lake Macquarie. J. kraussii exhibited a strong ability to restrict metal(loid) movement into the root system, with the exception of cadmium (BCFs < 1.0) and unrestricted flow from root to culm excepting Se, Cd (TFs < 1). Pb and Zn exhibited elevated translocation between roots and culms (TF 4.4 and 7.3, respectively). Despite barriers for uptake into the below-ground tissues, most metal(loid)s were accumulated to the roots with environmental dose (except for Cu and Cd) and linear relationships were present between the root and culm (for As and Se) and the sediment and culm (for As, Se, Cd, and Pb).
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor J Stein
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Md Rushna Alam
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Department of Aquaculture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Thi Kim Anh Tran
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Global Innovation Center for Advanced Nanomaterials, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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26
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Alam MR, Tran TKA, Stein TJ, Rahman MM, Griffin AS, Yu RMK, MacFarlane GR. Accumulation and distribution of metal(loid)s in the halophytic saltmarsh shrub, Austral seablite, Suaeda australis in New South Wales, Australia. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 169:112475. [PMID: 34022559 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We examined the patterns of uptake and partitioning of metal(loid)s in Suaeda australis from three highly urbanised estuaries (Sydney Olympic Park, Hunter Wetlands and Lake Macquarie) in NSW, Australia. Of these, Sydney Olympic Park was found to be the most contaminated estuary in terms of combined sediment metal(loid) load, followed by Hunter Wetlands and lowest in Lake Macquarie (via PERMANOVA). Uptake in roots was greater for the essential metals Cu and Zn along with the non-essential metal Cd and the metalloid Se (root BCFs >1) and lower for Pb and As (root BCFs <1). Substantial barriers for translocation from roots to stems were identified for all metal(loid)s (stem TFs; 0.07-0.68). Conversely, unrestricted flow from stems to leaves was observed for all metal(loid)s at unity or higher (leaf TFs ≥ 1). Strong linear relationships between sediment and root for Zn and Pb were observed, indicating roots as a useful bioindicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Rushna Alam
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Department of Aquaculture, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Thi Kim Anh Tran
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Agriculture and Resources, Vinh University, Viet Nam
| | - Taylor J Stein
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Andrea S Griffin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Richard Man Kit Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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27
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Moyo S, Bennadji H, Laguaite D, Pérez-Umphrey AA, Snider AM, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Olin JA, Stouffer PC, Taylor SS, López-Duarte PC, Roberts BJ, Hooper-Bui L, Polito MJ. Stable isotope analyses identify trophic niche partitioning between sympatric terrestrial vertebrates in coastal saltmarshes with differing oiling histories. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11392. [PMID: 34316388 PMCID: PMC8288111 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bioindicator species are commonly used as proxies to help identify the ecological effects of oil spills and other stressors. However, the utility of taxa as bioindicators is dependent on understanding their trophic niche and life history characteristics, as these factors mediate their ecological responses. Seaside sparrows (Ammospiza maritima) and marsh rice rats (Oryzomys palustris) are two ubiquitous terrestrial vertebrates that are thought to be bioindicators of oil spills in saltmarsh ecosystems. To improve the utility of these omnivorous taxa as bioindicators, we used carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis to quantify their trophic niches at saltmarshes in coastal Louisiana with differing oiling histories. We found that rats generally had lower trophic positions and incorporated more aquatic prey relative to seaside sparrows. The range of resources used (i.e.,trophic niche width) varied based on oiling history. Seaside sparrows had wider trophic niches than marsh rice rats at unoiled sites, but not at oiled sites. Trophic niche widths of conspecifics were less consistent at oiled sites, although marsh rice rats at oiled sites had wider trophic niches than rats at unoiled sites. These results suggest that past oiling histories may have imparted subtle, yet differing effects on the foraging ecology of these two co-occurring species. However, the temporal lag between initial oiling and our study makes identifying the ultimate drivers of differences between oiled and unoiled sites challenging. Even so, our findings provide a baseline quantification of the trophic niches of sympatric seaside sparrows and marsh rice rats that will aid in the use of these species as indicators of oiling and other environmental stressors in saltmarsh ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Moyo
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, United States of America
| | - Hayat Bennadji
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Danielle Laguaite
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Anna A Pérez-Umphrey
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Allison M Snider
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Andrea Bonisoli-Alquati
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Jill A Olin
- Great Lakes Research Center, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, United States of America
| | - Philip C Stouffer
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Sabrina S Taylor
- School of Renewable Natural Resources, Louisiana State University and AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Paola C López-Duarte
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, United States of America
| | - Brian J Roberts
- Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Chauvin, LA, United States of America
| | - Linda Hooper-Bui
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
| | - Michael J Polito
- Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States of America
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28
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Yan J, Zhu Z, Zhou J, Chu X, Sui H, Cui B, van der Heide T. Saltmarsh resilience controlled by patch size and plant density of habitat-forming species that trap shells. Sci Total Environ 2021; 778:146119. [PMID: 33725609 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Habitat fragmentaion into small patches is regarded as a vital cause of biodiversity loss. Fragmentationof habitat-forming species is especially harmful, as patchiness of such species often controls ecosystem stability and resilience by density and patch size-dependent self-reinforcing feedbacks. Although fragmentation are expected to weaken or even break such feedbacks, it remains unclear how the resulting patchiness of habitat-forming species affect ecosystem resilience to environmental stresses. Here, using Spartian alterniflora, the habitat-forming species in saltmarshes as a model, we investigate how patch size, plant density, and shell aggregation interactively control the persistence of a degrading salt marsh that suffered from erosion induced by hydrodynamics. Our results demonstrate that large patches can trap more shells along the patch edge than the smaller ones, therefore significantly facilitating plant re-growth within the patch. Shell removal experiments further reveal that large patches trapping more shells along patch edges reinforce their own persistence by decreasing erosion and thus facilitating plant recovery. By contrast, small patches with lesser plants cannot persist as they trap less shells along patch edges but are able to accumulate more shells at interior locations where they hinder plant re-growth, indicating a critical threshold of patch size ~20 m2 below which ecosystem collapses. The current study highlights the importance to identify critical threshold of stress-resistant patch sizes in transition-prone ecosystems as early-warning to alert undesired ecosystem collapse and restoration practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaguo Yan
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, and Utrecht University, Yerseke, the Netherlands
| | - Zhenchang Zhu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou 511458, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- Beijing Water Engineering Construction and Management Affairs Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xun Chu
- Beijing Guohuan Tsinghua Environmental Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, China
| | - Haochen Sui
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Baoshan Cui
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
| | - Tjisse van der Heide
- Department of Coastal Systems, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Den Burg, Texel, the Netherlands; Conservation Ecology Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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29
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Wang D, Gao S, Zhao Y, Chatzipavlis A, Chen Y, Gao J, Zhao Y. An eco-parametric method to derive sedimentation rates for coastal saltmarshes. Sci Total Environ 2021; 770:144756. [PMID: 33513503 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The saltmarsh plant Spartina alterniflora was introduced to the Jiangsu coasts, China and serves as an ecological engineer to reduce near-bed shear stress, trap fine-grained sediments and protect the coast from wave-induced erosion. The saltmarshes thus could record the Spartina colonization-driven changes within the sedimentary layers. Based on these ecological and sedimentological changes in sediments, we present a new eco-parametric method to estimate the sedimentation rate for the newly-formed wetlands in the Yancheng Wetland Nature Reserve for Rare Birds, Jiangsu. Sediment cores and satellite imagery were used to identify the thickness of accumulated sediment layers and the time since the Spartina colonization. We defined the original ground on which Spartina alterniflora initially colonized using pigment concentrations, grain size and stable carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter (δ13C) in sediments. We also determined the time mark of the Spartina colonization by examining the Landsat images over 1982-2018 to discriminate the Spartina alterniflora from other native plants and geomorphological features. These two datasets yielded a sedimentation rate of 3.3 cm/yr for Core A and of 9.6 cm/yr for Core B, the latter evidenced by an increase of ~ 0.51 m in the bed level from 2008 to 2014. Combining the 210Pb dating method, we further estimated the sedimentation rate for the layers beneath the original ground, which was comparable to that of the bare flats in the Jiangsu coast. Even though this new method is only applicable to newly-formed saltmarshes, it helps identify the recent sedimentation events as well as reveal the environmental changes and the evolution of saltmarsh-bare flat systems due to the interplay between vegetation, hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics. It thus could be an efficient and cost-effective tool for an improved understanding of the response of coastal wetlands to a changing climate/environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Wang
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shu Gao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; State Key laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Yangyang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Antonis Chatzipavlis
- University of the Aegean, Department of Marine Sciences, University Hill, Mytilene, Lesvos 81100, Greece
| | - Yunzhen Chen
- Yellow River Institute of Hydraulic Research, 46 Shunhe Street, Jinshui District, Zhengzhou 450004, China
| | - Jianhua Gao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yongqiang Zhao
- Yancheng Wetland Natural Reserve for Rare Birds, Yancheng 224057, China
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30
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Wang Q, Xie T, Ning Z, Chen C, Man Y, Cui B. Enhancement of lateral connectivity promotes the establishment of plants in saltmarshes. Sci Total Environ 2021; 767:145484. [PMID: 33550062 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that enhancing lateral hydrological connectivity in river systems can increase the exchange of materials and energy, and improves species diversity, which suggests that it might be a useful ecological restoration tool. The variation in elevation gradient across a saltmarsh system is small, which means that lateral hydrological connectivity in saltmarsh systems is often ignored and the ecological effects caused by the variation in lateral hydrological connectivity are seldom studied. Lateral hydrological connectivity presents when a hydrological connection between marsh plain and tidal creek occurs, as a time interval during which tidal flow occurred. This study explored the effects of enhancing lateral hydrological connectivity on the plant life history process using empirical studies. The enhancement of lateral hydrological connectivity on a temporal scale was achieved by placing hollowed microtopographic structures on the marsh. Data obtained through the high-frequency monitoring of tidal levels was used to calculate lateral hydrological connectivity enhancement, and field control experiments were used to determine the effects of lateral connectivity enhancement on seed retention, emergence, and seedling survival at each life stage. The results showed that lateral hydrological connectivity decreased with the increasing distance to sea and the lateral distance to tidal creek. The hollowed microtopographic structures significantly enhanced lateral hydrological connectivity on the marsh, increased soil moisture content, and reduced soil salinity. Furthermore, seed retention time was significantly increased during dispersal stage, and potential seed establishment was improved. During the emergence and growth stages, the enhanced soil moisture and reduced salinity facilitated the emergence and growth of seeds and seedlings. These effects benefit plant re-establishment in bare areas, especially in areas with low lateral hydrological connectivity. This information could be used to improve the restoration or recovery of vegetation on bare or degraded saltmarshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wang
- Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China
| | - Tian Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China
| | - Zhonghua Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China
| | - Cong Chen
- Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China
| | - Ying Man
- Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China
| | - Baoshan Cui
- Research and Development Center for Watershed Environmental Eco-Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 100875 Beijing, China; Yellow River Estuary Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Shandong 257500, China.
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Rayner D, Glamore W, Grandquist L, Ruprecht J, Waddington K, Khojasteh D. Intertidal wetland vegetation dynamics under rising sea levels. Sci Total Environ 2021; 766:144237. [PMID: 33421788 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Intertidal wetlands have historically been in decline and are increasingly at risk due to climate change, particularly sea level rise (SLR). Different intertidal wetland communities can adapt to SLR via lateral upslope retreat to higher ground, capture and accumulation of allochthonous sediment, and/or organic accretion. In this paper, a case study is presented to assess the impact of the overall sediment accretion rate (i.e. allochthonous and organic accumulation) versus possible SLR rates on wetland species composition. Initially, an eco-hydraulic calculation method is developed to estimate existing spatial and temporal tidal inundation statistics of saltmarsh species at a Ramsar listed wetland on the south-east coast of New South Wales, Australia. SLR and accretion scenarios were then tested using high resolution hydrodynamic models to predict future saltmarsh species composition based on the eco-hydraulic calculation method. Saltmarsh species composition and extents were found to persist if sea levels continue to rise at present-day rates, as observed rates of SLR are similar. However, if the SLR rate accelerates beyond the accretion ability of the wetland, a significant shift in species composition and an increase in open water coverage was predicted. These results indicate that the current rate of sediment capture by wetland species, and the subsequent rate of elevation change, will need to increase significantly to adapt with projected future rates of SLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Rayner
- Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - William Glamore
- Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Lisa Grandquist
- Advisian, 141 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia
| | - Jamie Ruprecht
- Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Katrina Waddington
- Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Danial Khojasteh
- Water Research Laboratory, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Hossain MB, Rakib MRJ, Jolly YN, Rahman M. Metals uptake and translocation in salt marsh macrophytes, Porteresia sp. from Bangladesh coastal area. Sci Total Environ 2021; 764:144637. [PMID: 33385646 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Studies from around the world have suggested salt marshes or coastal wetlands can be used as sites for phytoremediation of metals. However, no investigations have been conducted to assess metal accumulation and translocation capabilities of salt marsh macrophytes from Bangladesh coastal area. The aim of this study was to evaluate the uptake and translocation of eight metals, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Co, Rb, Sr, and Pb in Porteresia sp. from the six salt marsh sites of Bangladesh. The leaf, shoots and root tissues of Porteresia sp. samples were analyzed for metals by using the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF). The decreasing trend of metal concentrations was, in roots; Fe > Mn > Pb > Cu > Zn > Sr > Rb > Co, in shoots; Mn >Fe > Cu > Pb > Zn > Sr > Rb > Co, in leaves; Fe > Mn > Cu > Pb > Zn > Rb > Sr > Co. Generally, roots of the Porteresia sp. showed high accumulation of the metals when compared to shoots and leaves suggesting relevant availability in the sediment. Pb was the only metal with concentrations significantly higher in the leaves and shoots than in the root. Except for Pb, bioaccumulation concentration factor (BCF) for all metals was lower than 1 in plant organs indicating poor absorption and bioavailability of metals. Higher value (>1) of BCF for Pb infers the species can potentially be used for Pb phytoremediation. However, the translocation factor (TF) confirmed the diversified mobility of the metals from below-ground part to above-ground parts for all the measured metals in the salt marsh species. Highest mobility was observed for Mn and Pb. But it was hard to find any regular trends among all the metals and all the sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belal Hossain
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Y N Jolly
- Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Mostafizur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
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Palacios MM, Trevathan-Tackett SM, Malerba ME, Macreadie PI. Effects of a nutrient enrichment pulse on blue carbon ecosystems. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 165:112024. [PMID: 33549995 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure from land-derived eutrophication in most developed coastlines worldwide. Here, we tested for 277 days the effects of a nutrient pulse on blue carbon retention and cycling within an Australian temperate coastal system. After 56 days of exposure, saltmarsh and mangrove plots subject to a high-nutrient treatment (~20 g N m-2 yr-1 and ~2 g P m-2 yr-1) had ~23% lower superficial soil carbon stocks. Mangrove plots also experienced a ~33% reduction in the microbe Amplicon Sequence Variant richness and a shift in community structure linked to elevated ammonium concentrations. Live plant cover, tea litter decomposition, and soil carbon fluxes (CO2 and CH4) were not significantly affected by the pulse. Before the end of the experiment, soil carbon- and nitrogen-cycling had returned to control levels, highlighting the significant but short-lived impact that a nutrient pulse can have on the carbon sink capacity of coastal wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Palacios
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, VIC 3125, Australia.
| | - Stacey M Trevathan-Tackett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, VIC 3125, Australia.
| | - Martino E Malerba
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, VIC 3125, Australia.
| | - Peter I Macreadie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, VIC 3125, Australia.
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Celis-Hernandez O, Cundy AB, Croudace IW, Ward RD, Busquets R, Wilkinson JL. Assessing the role of the "estuarine filter" for emerging contaminants: pharmaceuticals, perfluoroalkyl compounds and plasticisers in sediment cores from two contrasting systems in the southern U.K. Water Res 2021; 189:116610. [PMID: 33278720 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The environmental occurrence, fate and ecotoxicity of emerging contaminants (ECs) has been the subject of increasing research, policy and public concern over the past two decades. While a wide range of publications have examined the environmental persistence and sediment/soil interactions of ECs following their discharge into aquatic environments, the extent to which ECs are sequestered in estuarine sediments, and the impact of this on their environmental persistence and supply to the ocean, in comparison remains unclear. This Article examines the environmental concentrations of seven, relatively water-soluble and environmentally mobile, ECs (including pharmaceuticals, perfluoroalkyl compounds, and plasticisers) in dated intertidal saltmarsh cores from two contrasting estuarine sites in the southern U.K. (one heavily urbanised/industrial, the other non-urbanised). Mean sediment EC concentrations are similar in both estuarine systems (in the range 0.1 (acetaminophen) to 17 (4-hydroxyacetophenone) ng/g dry weight). Despite their variable reported Log Kow values (from ca. 0.5 to > 7), the ECs are all apparently mobile in the marsh systems studied, and where subsurface concentration maxima are present these most likely relate to local flushing or diffusive processes and cannot be clearly linked to likely input trends or changes in sediment geochemistry (including sedimentary organic carbon content). The "estuarine filter" here, at least with respect to intertidal saltmarsh sediments, shows reduced potential to sequester the seven ECs examined and mediate their supply to coastal and shelf environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Celis-Hernandez
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estación el Carmen, Campeche, C.P. 24157, Ciudad del Carmen, México; Dirección de Cátedras CONACYT. Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Alcaldía Benito Juárez, C.P. 03940, Ciudad de México.; School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - Andrew B Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K..
| | - Ian W Croudace
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, U.K
| | - Raymond D Ward
- Centre for Aquatic Environments, University of Brighton, Cockcroft Building, Moulsecoomb, Brighton BN2 4GJ, U.K.; Institute of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 5, EE-51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rosa Busquets
- Kingston University London, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing, Kingston Upon Thames KT1 2EE, U.K
| | - John L Wilkinson
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, U.K
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Tran TKA, Islam R, Le Van D, Rahman MM, Yu RMK, MacFarlane GR. Accumulation and partitioning of metals and metalloids in the halophytic saltmarsh grass, saltwater couch, Sporobolus virginicus. Sci Total Environ 2020; 713:136576. [PMID: 31954255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Remnant endangered saltmarsh communities in Australia often occur in urbanised estuaries where industrial processes have contaminated sediments with metal(loid)s. Despite this issue, virtually nothing is known on local plant species exposure to metal contaminants, nor their ability to uptake and translocate metal(loid)s from contaminated estuarine sediment. In the current study, we assessed the accumulation and partitioning of the metal(loid)s Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd and Se in the dominant saltmarsh primary producer, Sporobolus virginicus, across three urbanised estuaries in NSW Australia. Lake Macquarie was the most contaminated estuary, while Sydney Olympic Park, Port Jackson exhibited intermediate metal(loid) loadings and Hunter Wetlands exhibited the lowest loadings among estuaries. Essential metals (Zn and Cu) were more mobile, with sediment:root bioconcentration factors (BCFs) greater than unity and translocation among plant organs greater than, or equal to, unity. Other metal(loid)s were less mobile, with BCFs equal to unity and translocation factors among organs much reduced. Despite these barriers to translocation, all metal(loid)s were accumulated to roots with dose, and further accumulative relationships between metal(loid)s in roots and culms, and culms and leaves, were evidenced (with the exception of Cu). Along with sediment metal(loid)s, increases in sediment pH predicted Cu uptake in roots and increases in soil organic matter predicted Se uptake in roots. Although significant positive linear relationships were observed between sediment metal(loid)s and plant organ metal(loid)s(withholding Cu), the variance explained was low to intermediate for most metal(loid)s suggesting employing S. virginicus as an accumulative bioindicator would be impractical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi Kim Anh Tran
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; School of Agriculture and Resources, Vinh University, Viet Nam
| | - Rafiquel Islam
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia 7003, Bangladesh
| | - Diep Le Van
- School of Biochemical Technology-Environment, Vinh University, Viet Nam
| | - Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Richard Man Kit Yu
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Geoff R MacFarlane
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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Qiu D, Yan J, Ma X, Gao F, Wang F, Wen L, Bai J, Cui B. How vegetation influence the macrobenthos distribution in different saltmarsh zones along coastal topographic gradients. Mar Environ Res 2019; 151:104767. [PMID: 31416599 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Macrobenthos are a key constituent of coastal salt marsh ecosystems and have often been used as sensitive indicators of the environment quality. In this study, field investigations in vegetated regions and adjacent bare patches of low, middle and high marshes were conducted to explore whether and how vegetation influence the macrobenthos distribution in different saltmarsh zones along coastal topographic gradients. Results showed that vegetation positively or negatively influenced macrobenthos mainly by changing their environment in different saltmarsh zones, as there were different degrees of physical stresses and food supply for the macrobenthos from the low to the high marsh. In the low marsh, no major differences in macrobenthos indices between the bare and vegetated sediments were found, yet density and biomass of the molluscs were higher in the bare patches. In the middle marsh, vegetation promoted the biomass and diversity indices but not the density and species richness of the macrobenthos, and vegetation was beneficial for some types of crustaceans but was detrimental for some types of polychaetes. In the high marsh, vegetation promoted the biomass, density, and species richness of the macrobenthos compared to those of adjacent bare patches. Coastal topographic gradients also had effects on macrobenthos distribution consistently with different habitat preferences and ecological niches, and the low marsh had the highest species richness, Shannon diversity, Pielou evenness and Margalef richness. This study also provided scientific implications for the management and restoration of the ecosystems in different intertidal saltmarsh zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Qiu
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jiaguo Yan
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xu Ma
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Fang Gao
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Lijia Wen
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Junhong Bai
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Baoshan Cui
- School of Environment, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Ma X, Yan J, Wang F, Qiu D, Jiang X, Liu Z, Sui H, Bai J, Cui B. Trait and density responses of Spartina alterniflora to inundation in the Yellow River Delta, China. Mar Pollut Bull 2019; 146:857-864. [PMID: 31426229 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding plant traits in response to physical stress has been an important issue in the study of coastal saltmarshes. For plants that reproduce both sexually and asexually, whether and how seedlings (sexual reproduction) and clonal ramets (asexual reproduction) may differentially respond to tidal inundation is still unclear. We investigated the growth and morphology of sexual and asexual propagules of an exotic saltmarsh plant (Spartina alterniflora) along a gradient of tidal submergence in the Yellow River Delta. Our results showed that the density, height and basal diameter of clonal ramets or sexual seedlings increased with tidal inundation. The patch amplification edge clonal ramets are superior than patch center plants. The differences response of plants to tidal inundation highlight the sensitivity of S. alterniflora to future tidal regime shifts and can help predict and evaluate the impacts of changes in inundation conditions due to sea level rise, coastal erosion and human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jiaguo Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Dongdong Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xingpei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Zezheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Haochen Sui
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Junhong Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Baoshan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environmental Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing NormalUniversity, Beijing 100875, China.
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Gilmour C, Bell JT, Soren AB, Riedel G, Riedel G, Kopec AD, Bodaly RA. Distribution and biogeochemical controls on net methylmercury production in Penobscot River marshes and sediment. Sci Total Environ 2018; 640-641:555-569. [PMID: 29864668 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of mercury and methylmercury (MeHg) in sediment, mudflats, and marsh soils of the Hg-contaminated tidal Penobscot River was investigated, along with biogeochemical controls on production. Average total Hg in surface samples (0-3 cm) ranged from 100 to 1200 ng/g; average MeHg ranged from 5 to 50 ng/g. MeHg was usually highest at or near the surface except in highly mobile mudflats. Although total Hg concentrations in the Penobscot are elevated, it is the accumulation of MeHg that stands out in comparison to other ecosystems. Surface soils in the large Mendall Marsh, about 17 km downstream from the contamination source, contained particularly high %MeHg (averaging 8%). In Mendall marsh soil porewaters, MeHg often accounted for more than half of total Hg. Salt marshes are areas of particular concern in the Penobscot River, for they are depositional environments for a Hg-contaminated mobile pool of river sediment, hot spots for net MeHg production, and sources of risk to marsh animals. We hypothesized that exceptionally low mercury partitioning between the solid and aqueous phases (with log Kd averaging ~4.5) drives high MeHg in Penobscot marshes. The co-occurrence of iron and sulfide in filtered soil porewaters, sometimes both above 100 μM, suggests the presence of nanoparticulate and/or colloidal metal sulfides. These colloids may be stabilized by high concentrations of aromatic and potentially sulfurized dissolved organic matter (DOM) in marsh soils. Thus, Hg in Penobscot marsh soils appears to be in a highly available for microbial methylation through the formation of DOM-associated HgS complexes. Additionally, low partitioning of MeHg to marsh soils suggests high MeHg bioavailability to animals. Overall, drivers of high MeHg in Penobscot marshes include elevated Hg in soils, low partitioning of Hg to solids, high Hg bioavailability for methylation, rapidly shifting redox conditions in surface marsh soils, and high rates of microbial activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Gilmour
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 20657, United States.
| | - James Tyler Bell
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 20657, United States
| | - Ally Bullock Soren
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 20657, United States
| | - Georgia Riedel
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 20657, United States
| | - Gerhardt Riedel
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Rd., Edgewater, MD 20657, United States
| | | | - R A Bodaly
- Penobscot River Mercury Study, Bangor, ME, US.
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Muenzel D, Martino S. Assessing the feasibility of carbon payments and Payments for Ecosystem Services to reduce livestock grazing pressure on saltmarshes. J Environ Manage 2018; 225:46-61. [PMID: 30071366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.07.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Saltmarshes provide important services including flood control, climate regulation, and provisioning services when grazed by livestock for agriculture and conservation purposes. Grazing diminishes aboveground carbon, creating a trade-off between these two services. Furthermore, saltmarshes are threatened by overgrazing. To provide saltmarsh protection and ensure the continuing delivery of ecosystem services, there is a need to incentivise land managers to stock environmentally sensible densities. We therefore investigated the possibility of agri-environmental schemes and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) to compensate for lost livestock revenue under reduced grazing regimes and provide carbon sequestration and other benefits. This is the first study to consider the benefits arising from a potential carbon market to saltmarshes, although similar schemes exist for peatland and woodland. We calculated the net economic benefit (costs of livestock production are removed from revenue) to farmers obtained from a hectare of grazed saltmarsh under low (0.3 Livestock Units per hectare per year), moderate (0.6), high (1.0) and very high (2.0) stocking densities accounting for livestock revenue, carbon benefits, and agri-environmental subsidies. We repeated the procedure considering additional benefits transferred from the literature in terms of provisioning, regulating and cultural ecosystem services provided by protected saltmarshes. The net benefits were assessed for a range of market carbon prices and social costs of carbon, e.g. the opportunity cost of carbon for society. Applying the model to Scottish saltmarshes we find that the current range of market prices could prompt transitions from high to moderate regimes in areas where livestock value is low, however break-even prices for transitions showed high spatial variability due to spatial variability in livestock values. In some areas of the West Highlands, the break-even carbon price is negative, indicating that the current agri-environmental schemes are able to more than compensate for the lost revenue accruing to farmers by a reduced grazing density. However, in other areas, such as the Outer Hebrides, the break-even carbon price is positive. Private PES schemes or increased public subsidies should then be provided to generate net benefits. It is reasonable to infer that a pure carbon market may have limited scope in incentivising consumers to buy carbon services, especially in areas with limited local number of buyers and corporates of small size. Under this circumstance, a premium carbon market offering bundled ecosystem services may help reduce grazing pressure across a larger number of Scottish saltmarshes, thereby providing globally important climate regulation services and at the same time protecting sensitive habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Muenzel
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Laurence Mee Centre for Society & Sea, Oban, PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Simone Martino
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Laurence Mee Centre for Society & Sea, Oban, PA37 1QA, Scotland, UK; University of York, Department of Environment and Geography, 290 Wentworth Way, Heslington, York, YO10 5NG, UK.
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O'Shea FT, Cundy AB, Spencer KL. The contaminant legacy from historic coastal landfills and their potential as sources of diffuse pollution. Mar Pollut Bull 2018; 128:446-455. [PMID: 29571395 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Prior to modern environmental regulation landfills in low-lying coastal environments were frequently constructed without leachate control, relying on natural attenuation within inter-tidal sediments to dilute and disperse contaminants reducing environmental impact. With sea level rise and coastal erosion these sites may now pose a pollution risk, yet have received little investigation. This work examines the extent of metal contamination in saltmarsh sediments surrounding a historic landfill in the UK. Patterns of sediment metal data suggest typical anthropogenic pollution chronologies for saltmarsh sediments in industrialised nations. However, many metals were also enriched at depth in close proximity to the landfill boundary and are indicative of a historical leachate plume. Though this total metal load is low, e.g., c. 1200 and 1650kg Pb and Zn respectively, with >1000 historic landfills on flood risk or eroding coastlines in the UK this could represent a significant, yet under-investigated, source of diffuse pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew B Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Kate L Spencer
- School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, UK.
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Lo VB, Bouma TJ, van Belzen J, Van Colen C, Airoldi L. Interactive effects of vegetation and sediment properties on erosion of salt marshes in the Northern Adriatic Sea. Mar Environ Res 2017; 131:32-42. [PMID: 28941644 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2017.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated how lateral erosion control, measured by novel photogrammetry techniques, is modified by the presence of Spartina spp. vegetation, sediment grain size, and the nutrient status of salt marshes across 230 km of the Italian Northern Adriatic coastline. Spartina spp. vegetation reduced erosion across our study sites. The effect was more pronounced in sandy soils, where erosion was reduced by 80% compared to 17% in silty soils. Erosion resistance was also enhanced by Spartina spp. root biomass. In the absence of vegetation, erosion resistance was enhanced by silt content, with mean erosion 72% lower in silty vs. sandy soils. We found no relevant relationships with nutrient status, likely due to overall high nutrient concentrations and low C:N ratios across all sites. Our results contribute to quantifying coastal protection ecosystem services provided by salt marshes in both sandy and silty sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- V B Lo
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences (BIGEA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), UO CoNISMa, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy; Marine Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Campus Sterre S8, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - T J Bouma
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Korringaweg 7, 4401 NT Yerseke, Netherlands, and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - J van Belzen
- Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Department of Estuarine and Delta Systems, Korringaweg 7, 4401 NT Yerseke, Netherlands, and Utrecht University, P.O. Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands
| | - C Van Colen
- Marine Biology Research Group, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Campus Sterre S8, Krijgslaan 281, B-9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - L Airoldi
- Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences (BIGEA) & Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per le Scienze Ambientali (CIRSA), UO CoNISMa, Via S. Alberto 163, 48123, Ravenna, Italy.
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Lee SY, Khim JS. Hard science is essential to restoring soft-sediment intertidal habitats in burgeoning East Asia. Chemosphere 2017; 168:765-776. [PMID: 27838029 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.10.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 10/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Intertidal soft-sediment ecosystems such as mangrove, saltmarsh, and tidal flats face multiple stresses along the burgeoning East Asia coastline. In addition to direct habitat loss, ecosystem structure, function, and capacity for ecosystem services of these habitats are significantly affected by anthropogenic loss of hydrologic connectivity, introduction of invasive exotic species, and chemical pollution. These dramatic changes to ecosystem structure and function are illustrated by four case studies along the East Asian coast: the Mai Po Marshes in Hong Kong, the Yunxiao wetlands in Fujian, China, and the Lake Sihwa and Saemangeum tidal flats in Korea. While investment in restoration is increasing significantly in the region, the lack of key basic knowledge on aspects of the behaviour of intertidal soft-sediment ecosystems, particularly those in Asia, impairs the effectiveness of these efforts. The relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function for relatively species-poor mangrove, seagrass, and saltmarsh systems has implications for restoration targeting monospecific plantations. The trajectory of recovery and return of ecosystem function and services is also poorly known, and may deviate from simple expectations. As many introduced species have become established along the East Asian coast, their long-term impact on ecosystem function as well as the socio-economics of coastal communities demand a multidisciplinary approach to assessing options for restoration and management. These knowledge gaps require urgent attention in order to inform future restoration and management of intertidal soft-sediment ecosystems in fast-developing East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shing Yip Lee
- Australian Rivers Institute and School of Environment, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4222, Australia.
| | - Jong Seong Khim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences & Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
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Caborn JA, Howard BJ, Blowers P, Wright SM. Spatial trends on an ungrazed West Cumbrian saltmarsh of surface contamination by selected radionuclides over a 25 year period. J Environ Radioact 2016; 151 Pt 1:94-104. [PMID: 26440699 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Long term spatial and temporal variations in radionuclide activity have been measured in a contaminated ungrazed saltmarsh near Ravenglass, Cumbria. Over a twenty-five year period there has been a decrease in activity concentration with (106)Ru and (137)Cs showing the highest rate of change followed by Pu alpha and (241)Am. A number of factors contribute to the reduction with time; including radiological half lives, discharge and remobilisation. For (241)Am the lower reduction rate is partially due to ingrowth from (241)Pu and partially as a result of transport of sediment from the offshore Irish Sea mud patch. Considerable spatial variation for the different radionuclides was observed, which with time became less defined. The highest activity concentrations of long-lived radionuclides were in low energy areas, typically where higher rates of sedimentation and vegetation occurred. The trend was reversed for the shorter lived radionuclide, (106)Ru, with higher activity concentrations observed in high energy areas where there was frequent tidal inundation. Surface scrape samples provide a pragmatic, practical method of measuring sediment contamination over large areas and is a sampling approach adopted by most routine environmental monitoring programs, but it does not allow for interpretation of the effect of variation in sedimentation rates. This paper proposes a method for calculating indicative sedimentation rates across the saltmarsh using surface scrape data, which produces results consistent with values experimentally obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane A Caborn
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK; NNL, Preston Laboratory, A709, Springfields, Salwick, Preston, PR4 0XJ, UK.
| | - Brenda J Howard
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
| | - Paul Blowers
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
| | - Simon M Wright
- Centre for Ecology & Hydrology - Lancaster, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, UK
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Wong JXW, Van Colen C, Airoldi L. Nutrient levels modify saltmarsh responses to increased inundation in different soil types. Mar Environ Res 2015; 104:37-46. [PMID: 25594372 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 12/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Saltmarshes have been depleted historically, and cumulative stressors threaten their future persistence. We examined experimentally how nutrient availability (high vs. low) affects the responses of Spartina maritima to increased inundation in two mineral soil types (low vs. medium organic). Increased inundation, one of the effects of accelerated sea level rise, had negative effects on most plant growth parameters, but the magnitude varied with soil and nutrient levels, and between plants from different locations. Average differences between inundation treatments were largest at high nutrient conditions in low organic matter soils. We conclude that saltmarsh vegetation would be more drastically affected by increased inundation in low than in medium organic matter soils, and especially in estuaries already under high nutrient availability. This knowledge enhances the prediction of changes at the foreshore of saltmarshes related to sea level rise, and the development of site-specific conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne X W Wong
- Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA), Italy; Ghent University, Research Group of Marine Biology (MARBIOL), Belgium
| | - Carl Van Colen
- Ghent University, Research Group of Marine Biology (MARBIOL), Belgium
| | - Laura Airoldi
- Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche ed Ambientali (BiGeA), Italy.
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Pedro CA, Santos MSS, Ferreira SMF, Gonçalves SC. The influence of cadmium contamination and salinity on the survival, growth and phytoremediation capacity of the saltmarsh plant Salicornia ramosissima. Mar Environ Res 2013; 92:197-205. [PMID: 24176185 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2013] [Revised: 09/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The major aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of Salicornia ramosissima on Cadmium phytoremediation under distinct salinities and, consequently, the toxic effects on the plant's development. A greenhouse experiment was performed, using two Cd concentrations (50 and 100 μg l(-1)) in different salinities (0, 5 and 10). Mortality and weight variation, observed at the end of the experiment, showed significant differences between some treatments, meaning that these variables were affected by the salinity and Cd concentrations. The highest Cd accumulation was detected in the roots, and decreased with the increase of salinity and Cd concentration. S. ramosissima is a potential candidate for Cd phytoremediation at salinities close to 0 and its capabilities in Cd phytoaccumulation and phytoestabilization proved to be quite interesting. The optimization of phytoremediation processes by S. ramosissima could turn possible the use of this plant in the recovery of contaminated ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen A Pedro
- GIRM - Marine Resources Research Group, School of Tourism and Maritime Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Campus 4, Santuário N(a). Sra. dos Remédios, 2520-641 Peniche, Portugal
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Newell SY, Arsuffi TL, Palm LA. Misting and nitrogen fertilization of shoots of a saltmarsh grass: effects upon fungal decay of leaf blades. Oecologia 1996; 108:495-502. [PMID: 28307866 DOI: 10.1007/bf00333726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/1995] [Accepted: 05/07/1996] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a 12-week field manipulation experiment in which we raised the nitrogen availability (ammonium sulfate fertilization to roots) and/or water potential (freshwater misting) of decaying leaf blades of a saltmarsh grass (smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora) in triplicate 11-m2 plots, and compared the manipulated plots to unmanipulated, control plots. The ascomycetous fungi that dominate cordgrass leaf decomposition processes under natural conditions exhibited a boosting (>2-fold) of living standing crop (ergosterol content) by misting at the 1 st week after tagging of senescent leaves, but afterwards, living-fungal standing crop on misted blades was equivalent to that on control blades, confirming prior evidence that Spartina fungi are well adapted to natural, irregular wetting. Misting also caused 2-fold sharper temporal declines than control in instantaneous rates of fungal production (ergosterol synthesis), 5-fold declines in density of sexual reproductive structures that were not shown by controls, and 2-fold higher rates of loss of plant organic mass. Extra nitrogen gave a long-term boost to living-fungal standing crop (about 2-fold at 12 weeks), which was also reflected in rates of fungal production at 4 weeks, suggesting that saltmarsh fungal production is nitrogen-limited. Although bacterial and green-microalgal crops were boosted by manipulations of nitrogen and/or water, their maximal crops remained ≤0.3 or 2% (bacteria or green microalgae, respectively) of contemporaneous living-fungal crop. The fungal carbon-productivity values obtained, in conjunction with rates of loss of plant carbon, hinted that fungal yield can be high (>50%), and that it is boosted by high availability of nitrogen. We speculate that one partial cause of high fungal yield could be subsidy of fungal growth by dissolved organic carbon from outside decomposing leaves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Y Newell
- Marine Institute, University of Georgia, 31327, Sapelo Island, GA, USA.
| | - Thomas L Arsuffi
- Aquatic Station, Southwest Texas State University, 78666, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Laura A Palm
- , Nee Scott; 40 E. Flower St. Apt. 46, 91910, Chula Vista, CA, USA
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Vickery JA, Sutherland WJ, Watkinson AR, Rowcliffe JM, Lane SJ. Habitat switching by dark-bellied brent geese Branta b. bernicla (L.) in relation to food depletion. Oecologia 1995; 103:499-508. [PMID: 28306999 DOI: 10.1007/bf00328689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/1994] [Accepted: 04/13/1995] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal changes in the distribution and feeding behaviour of dark-bellied brent geese Branta b. bernicla (L.) and the biomass of their food plants were studied in three successive winters on the Norfolk coast. The data was used, in conjunction with published information, to show how depletion, productivity and mortality of food plants drive the pattern of habitat switching in this species. It is then possible to explain the habitat shifts observed over the last 35 years and predict future changes. On arrival, geese fed first on algal beds and then on salt marsh, grass and arable fields before returning to feed entirely on the salt marsh in spring. The biomass of green algae, and subsequently the salt marsh vegetation, declined during the autumn and this could be attributed to depletion through goose grazing and natural mortality. As depletion occurred the geese fed more intensively, for a greater percentage of time and with an increasing pace rate, the net result, however, was a declining intake rate (as measured by defaecation rate). The algal biomass at which the geese switched from the algal beds to salt marsh was consistent between years, with heavy storm-induced loss of algae in one year resulting in an earlier switch. That the timing of habitat switches may be explained by depletion of food plants was further supported by historical data: the number of brent geese wintering at the site has increased dramatically over the last 30-35 years and the time of switching from algal beds to salt marsh and from salt marsh to salt marsh and fields has become progressively earlier, as expected from the increased depletion. The expected further increase in brent goose numbers will increase the rate of depletion of intertidal vegetation so that the switches between habitats will be more rapid and the geese will move inland earlier and remain inland longer. The expected increase in the brent goose population will thus result in a disproportionate increase in the levels of conflict between brent geese and agriculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Vickery
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - W J Sutherland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - A R Watkinson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - J M Rowcliffe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
| | - S J Lane
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
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Newell SY, Arsuffi TL, Kemp PF, Scott LA. Water potential of standing-dead shoots of an intertidal grass. Oecologia 1991; 85:321-6. [PMID: 28312035 DOI: 10.1007/BF00320606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/1990] [Accepted: 08/15/1990] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Dead stems and leaves of smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) undergo substantial fungal decay in the standing position. We conducted a series of experiments to determine the probable range of water availabilities that cordgrass-fungal decomposers experience; we determined the effects of duration of wetting and drying, site on shoots, leaching of osmotica, and stage of decomposition on water potential (ψ) of cordgrass shoots. Dried pieces of cordgrass shoots took up water rapidly when submerged, rising from values which were probably less than -150 megapascals (MPa) water potential to about -3.5 (soaked in seawater) or -1.5 (soaked in tapwater) within 5 min. Air-drying resulted in a return to low ψ (<-7.5 MPa) within an hour. Literature reports show that most litter and wood-decomposing fungi which have been tested cannot grow at ψ more negative than -6 MPa. The more lignified stems showed a more negative matric ψ than leaves at water contents greater than 25% fresh weight. As leaves decomposed in the marsh, their ψ increased (from -1.7 to -0.5 MPa, under standard conditions of 30 min freshwater soaking and 30 min air-drying), similar to what other investigators have found for wheat and forest litter. The water content at which cordgrass leaves reached -6 MPa was about 23% fresh weight, within the range (15-32%) found for wheat straw and forest litter.
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