Large grazers suppress a foundational plant and reduce soil carbon concentration in eastern US saltmarshes

Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 2, 2024

Abstract Large grazers modify vegetated ecosystems and are increasingly viewed as keystone species in trophic rewilding schemes. Yet, their ecosystem influences context‐dependent, a crucial challenge is identifying where sustain, versus undermine, important properties resilience. Previous work diverse European saltmarshes found that, despite changing plant invertebrate community structure, do not suppress below‐ground properties, including soil organic carbon (SOC). We hypothesised contrast, eastern US would be sensitive to large extensive areas dominated by single grass, Spartina alterniflora . predicted that reduce above‐ biomass, densities, shift texture ultimately SOC concentration. tested our hypotheses using replicated 51‐month grazer (horse) exclusion experiment Georgia, coupled with observations of 14 long‐term grazed sites, spanning ~1000 km the coast. Grazer quickly led increased height, cover flowering, snail density. Changes vegetation structure were reflected modified (reduced sand, clay) elevated root yet we no response SOC. also reduced drought‐associated die‐off. observed shifts sites along seaboard grazing has occurred for hundreds years. Unlike experiment, was associated A structural equation model implicated revealing stem height key driver carbon. Synthesis : These results illustrate context dependency impacts on coastal wetlands. In contrast well‐studied marshes, marshes structured foundational grass resulting being more grazing. Coastal systems characterised foundation might inherently vulnerable lack resilience face other disturbances, underlining frameworks explain predict must account geographic variation structure.

Язык: Английский

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Restored and Created Tidal Marshes Recover Ecosystem Services Over Time

Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 24, С. 100539 - 100539

Опубликована: Ноя. 16, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Quantifying the spatial characteristics of open-water conversion of tidal wetlands along China’s mainland coast using time-series water percent maps

Ecological Indicators, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 159, С. 111659 - 111659

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

The conversion of tidal wetlands to open water has become a major concern for coastal managers worldwide. Collecting spatial information regarding the lost resulting from open-water and degraded that are exhibiting significant transition towards is prerequisite employing conservation restoration efforts. Previous studies have focused on former while often neglecting latter. This will hamper make comprehensive decisions. In this study, along mainland coast China taken as case. Using linear regression model, we first verify time series percent maps can capture changes in inundation at local scale, then employ dataset method identify portions within current (2020) toward national scale. Furthermore, optimize 1999 2019 based global intertidal change database. results suggest total 5.3 × 104 ha were converted into between 2019, with over 57% occurring Jiangsu Province Shandong Province. Nearly 12% China's wetlands, equivalent 10.1 ha, undergoing water. area proportion these provinces north Shanghai generally higher than south Shanghai, except Hainan four-quadrant model utilized provide recommendations different segments wetlands. datasets methods used study novel insights determining Our findings potential assist optimizing patterns projects China.

Язык: Английский

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An Integration Framework for Evaluating Vegetation Degradation in Coastal Wetlands Under the Escalating Effect of Climatic and Anthropogenic Factors

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Download This Paper Open PDF in Browser Add to My Library Share: Permalink Using these links will ensure access this page indefinitely Copy URL DOI

Язык: Английский

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Proportional top-down effects of grapsoid crabs on growth of Spartina maritima cordgrass in southern African salt marshes

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 739, С. 49 - 64

Опубликована: Май 13, 2024

Salt marsh productivity has historically been viewed as being driven primarily by bottom-up processes, but recent studies in North America, Europe, Asia and South America have shown that top-down forces grazers also structure vegetation. This generality of grazing pressure not tested to date African salt marshes. Here, we investigated whether dominant crabs Africa’s estuarine marshes consume live plants interaction direct effects on the foundational species Spartina maritima . We employed natural surveys, lab feeding trials, diet analysis field experiments. Although found no significant relationships between plant gut contents stable isotope showed S. is present prominent their diet. All components were consumed. Manipulation crab density size (crabs >5 mm excluded) revealed small stem aboveground biomass compared controls. Combined, this research demonstrates these do indeed eat cordgrass, appear be dependent. Top-down impacts detected correlations, probably due different scales at which data collected These results establish globally common. Future systems should manipulate through addition experiments or predator exclusions understand impact high densities what regulate populations.

Язык: Английский

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Incorporating use values into ecosystem specific accounts: Recreational value generated by saltmarsh at a mixed ecosystem site

Ecological Economics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 228, С. 108443 - 108443

Опубликована: Ноя. 3, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Assessing Shoreline Changes in Fringing Salt Marshes from Satellite Remote Sensing Data

Remote Sensing, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 15(18), С. 4475 - 4475

Опубликована: Сен. 12, 2023

Salt marshes are highly important wetlands; however, external pressures causing their widespread deterioration and loss. Continuous monitoring of extent is paramount for the preservation recovery deteriorated threatened salt marshes. In general, moderate-resolution satellite remote sensing data allow accurate detection marsh shorelines; in narrow fringing remains challenging. This study aims to evaluate ability Landsat-5 (TM), Landsat-7 (ETM+), Sentinel-2 (MSI) be used accurately determine shoreline marshes, focusing on three regions Aveiro lagoon Mira, Ílhavo S. Jacinto channels. Shorelines were determined considering Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), accuracy this methodology was evaluated against reference shorelines by computing Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). Once validated, method historical shorelines, rates change between 1984 2022 quantified analyzed locations. Results evidence that 30 m resolution Landsat describe (RMSE~15 m) maintained when increasing spatial through pan-sharpening or using 10 data. These also show channels evolved similarly, with stability before 2000 followed retreats after year. At end four decades study, an average retreat 66.23 ± 1.03 46.62 0.83 found, respectively. contrast these expected evolution, Mira Channel showed 2000, similar progressions year, resulting 2.33 1.18 advance until 2022.

Язык: Английский

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Incorporating Use Values into Ecosystem Specific Accounts: Recreational Value Generated by a Saltmarsh at a Mixed Ecosystem Site

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

The single-site travel cost model is a method typically used to estimate the recreational value of open-access natural areas. However, when utilised at sites where multiple ecosystem types are present, proportion that generated by each can be unclear. Natural capital frameworks, such as UN's System Environmental-Economic Accounting, require values specific. Therefore, from models may difficult incorporate. In this study, we use protected coastal site using and demonstrate three approaches could employed assign total one key ecosystems site, saltmarsh. welfare for entire €4.1 million per year. attributed saltmarsh ranges €280,154 €1.7 million, depending on approach used. We discuss relevance these different contexts, including accounting.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of environmental filtering on taxonomic and functional diversity patterns : When spiders and plants provide complementary information to water level management in the Seine estuary

Research Square (Research Square), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Июль 10, 2024

In the Seine estuary in northern France, many artificial structures limit effect of tide on associated alluvial zones. Consequently, this affects natural environmental filtering mechanisms linked to tidal regimes and water salinity, which directly influences structure organism assemblies adjacent ecosystems. Here, we propose study influence these filters' modifications spiders plants, two compartments recognized as complementary terms bioindication. However, complementarity has only been studied a limited extent rarely estuarine environments. To highlight complementarity, taxonomic functional patterns obtained across different topographical levels sites with contrasting level managements. Moreover, particular attention was paid weight attributed rare species (Q order) shed light processes affecting dominance dynamics between taxa. Overall, spider communities appeared less influenced by than plants both sites, diversity demonstrating low sensitivity salinity. Spider community also demonstrated compositional shifts mainly driven changes abundance dominance. contrast, plant more sensitive constraints management, responses composition turnover rather unbalanced abundance, suggesting at distinct spatial scales communities.

Язык: Английский

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Understanding sediment and carbon accumulation in macrotidal minerogenic saltmarshes for climate resilience

Geomorphology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 467, С. 109465 - 109465

Опубликована: Окт. 23, 2024

Язык: Английский

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