Lead
editThe vegetation of tidal marshes often include species such as Spartina alterniflora and Spartina foliosa and is important in preventing the loss of tidal marshes due to rising sea levels.[1][2] Tidal marsh vegetation is also essential to nutrient cycling in tidal marshes and may be threatened by mangrove encroachment.[3]
Vegetation
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Flooding prevention
editPresence of wetland vegetation is critical to the survival of tidal marshes with rising sea-levels. Vegetation enables the buildup of organic matter and raises the elevation of the vegetation growth range in tidal marshes so that they are less prone to flooding caused by recent increases in sea-level.[2] Therefore deteriorated tidal marshes with little to no vegetation often become intertidal mudflats as a result of their inability to keep up with rising sea-levels and can no longer sustain vegetation due to being constantly submerged.
Common Species
editPlants commonly found in tidal marshes often include Spartina species and Suaeda species.[4][5] In the United States, Spartina alterniflora is the dominant species along the east coast while Spartina foliosa is dominant regions in the west coast, particularly Southern California.[1] Different forms of Spartina alterniflora with varying growth heights are dominant in different regions on the east coast as well.[2] Vegetation distribution in tidal marshes is governed by soil moisture and salinity which can be impacted by anthropogenic activities.[4]
Nutrient Cycling
editSpartina and other marsh vegetation also play an important role in the storage and cycling of carbon and nitrogen in tidal marshes.[3] Plant uptake of bioavailable nitrogen in tidal marshes prevents excessive levels of nitrogen that may lead to eutrophication. Vegetation also sequesters atmospheric carbon and enables the long-term storage of carbon within tidal marshes.
Mangrove encroachment
editMangroves are predicted to encroach into coastal marshes currently dominated by Spartina alterniflora as global temperatures rise, allowing mangroves to move into areas that were formerly too cold during the winter for their survival.[3] Although mangrove encroachment was found to be able to increase the nitrogen and carbon storage in encroached areas, it is also associated with the loss of tidal marsh ecosystems and nursery habitats for native species.
Restoration
editEfforts have been made to reconstruct tidal marshes to compensate for the loss of natural tidal marshes. Spartina species were primarily used in such reconstruction and restoration efforts and many constructed tidal marshes were able to provide ecosystem services similar to their natural counterparts. The nitrogen and carbon storing capabilities of constructed tidal marshes usually requires a period of time to develop [1]
References
edit- ^ a b c Craft, Christopher; Megonigal, Patrick; Broome, Stephen; Stevenson, Jan; Freese, Robert; Cornell, Jeff; Zheng, Lei; Sacco, John (2003-10). "THE PACE OF ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTRUCTED SPARTINA ALTERNIFLORA MARSHES". Ecological Applications. 13 (5): 1417–1432. doi:10.1890/02-5086. ISSN 1051-0761.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b c Cahoon, Donald R.; Lynch, James C.; Roman, Charles T.; Schmit, John Paul; Skidds, Dennis E. (2019-01-01). "Evaluating the Relationship Among Wetland Vertical Development, Elevation Capital, Sea-Level Rise, and Tidal Marsh Sustainability". Estuaries and Coasts. 42 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1007/s12237-018-0448-x. ISSN 1559-2731.
- ^ a b c Macy, Aaron; Osland, Michael J.; Cherry, Julia A.; Cebrian, Just (2020-10-01). "Changes in Ecosystem Nitrogen and Carbon Allocation with Black Mangrove (Avicennia germinans) Encroachment into Spartina alterniflora Salt Marsh". Ecosystems. doi:10.1007/s10021-020-00565-w. ISSN 1432-9840.
- ^ a b Zang, Zheng; Wu, Xiaowei; Niu, Yun; Mao, Guangxiong (2020-12-16). "Analysis of the contributions of human factors and natural factors affecting the vegetation pattern in coastal wetlands". Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 6 (1): 1827982. doi:10.1080/20964129.2020.1827982. ISSN 2096-4129.
- ^ Ebbets, Allison L.; Lane, Diana R.; Dixon, Philip; Hollweg, Terill A.; Huisenga, Mary T.; Gurevitch, Jessica (2020-11-01). "Using Meta-Analysis to Develop Evidence-Based Recovery Trajectories of Vegetation and Soils in Restored Wetlands in the Northern Gulf of Mexico". Estuaries and Coasts. 43 (7): 1692–1710. doi:10.1007/s12237-019-00536-y. ISSN 1559-2731.