Belowground Biomass in Six Salt Marsh Plant Communities

Belowground Biomass in Six Salt Marsh Plant Communities PDF Author: A. Clark Gaither
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Salt marsh ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Belowground Biomass in Six Salt Marsh Plant Communities

Belowground Biomass in Six Salt Marsh Plant Communities PDF Author: A. Clark Gaither
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Salt marsh ecology
Languages : en
Pages : 108

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Book Description


Underground Biomass Dynamics and Substrate Selective Properties of Atlantic Coastal Salt Marsh Plants

Underground Biomass Dynamics and Substrate Selective Properties of Atlantic Coastal Salt Marsh Plants PDF Author: John L. Gallagher
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dredging spoil
Languages : en
Pages : 142

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Book Description
An intensive study was made of the dynamics of the underground portion of selected salt marsh plants along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. The plants studied included: Borrichia frutescens, Carex paleacea, Distichlis spicata, Eleocharis obtusa, Juncus gerardi J. roemerianus, Phragmites communis, Salicornia virginica, Spartina alterniflora, S. bakeri, S. cynosuroides, S. patens, and Sporobolus virginicus. The study provides information applicable to marsh development on dredged material, particularly methodologies that can be used for determining which marsh plants will be likely to do well on various kinds of dredged material and when a marsh, which has been established on dredged material, approaches natural conditions. The overall study focuses on: an investigation of underground biomass dynamics; characterization of soils supporting the salt marsh plants; and experimentation on the substrate selective properties of several of the marsh plants studied. The following topics are included: underground biomass profiles and dynamics in Atlantic coastal marshes; comparison of some tidal marsh soils along the Atlantic Coast; response of salt marsh plant stands to a pulse of ammonium nitrate; salt marsh plant growth on three types of dredged material; and a bioassay approach to studying marsh plant root growth in natural soil and dredged material.

Belowground Plant Material and Its Contribution to Soil Volume in a St. Lawrence Salt Marsh, QC, Canada

Belowground Plant Material and Its Contribution to Soil Volume in a St. Lawrence Salt Marsh, QC, Canada PDF Author: Wendy Ampuero Reyes
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
"Accumulation of belowground plant material (live roots, rhizomes, and dead material) is critical to vertical accretion of tidal salt marsh soils and their ability to maintain elevation with respect to sea-level rise. Many studies utilize a single, global relationship between soil organic carbon and belowground volume, which does not include the pore space created by belowground growth, thus does not appropriately reflect the contribution of vegetation to soil accretion. This thesis reports on research that seeks to address this gap. Chapter 1 is an introduction and literature review that describes tidal marshes vegetation typical of Northwest Atlantic tidal salt marshes. This chapter describes the importance of living biomass (roots and rhizomes) and dead material of the dominant marsh species in soil vertical accretion for marsh resiliency to keep up with sea-level changes. Chapter 2 is written in manuscript style including methods and results of a study of the relationship of the volume of live roots and rhizomes to their dry biomass. The study focuses on four species in a Quebec salt marsh. The species, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina patens, and invasive Phragmites australis were identified in the aboveground growth, while only tubers and roots of Cyperus esculentus were found. Cores of the top 30 cm of soil were collected and cut into 0-15 and 15-30 cm sections from the S. alterniflora -dominated low marsh, the S. patens-dominated high marsh, and the upper S. patens marsh invaded by P. australis. The soil was washed over a 1 mm sieve, and the organic matter was retained. The live material was sorted into fractions of roots and rhizomes by species. The volume of all components was measured by displacement in water before drying to obtain mass. An overall conversion factor of 8.2 g cm-3 reflects the volumetric contribution of live roots, rhizomes, and organic matter (OM) of all species studied. The relationship varies by species, with S. alterniflora contributing the greatest volume per unit mass (8.9 g cm-3), followed by S. patens (7.9 g cm-3), then P. australis and C. esculentus, both at 5.6 g cm-3. The results of this thesis not only demonstrate that the total mass and volume of each species for each component (rhizomes, roots, and dead material) are strongly correlated but that measurements of simple carbon density underestimate the actual contribution of salt marsh plants to the soil volume. Chapter 3 presents final conclusions, limitations of the study reported on in Chapter 2, and identifies directions that would be valuable for future research"--

Estuarine Ecohydrology

Estuarine Ecohydrology PDF Author: Eric Wolanski
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080550355
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
Estuarine Ecohydrology focuses on the principal components of an estuary. The book demonstrates how one can quantify an estuarine ecosystem's ability to cope with human stresses. The theories, models, and real-world solutions covered will serve as a toolkit for designing a management plan for the ecologically sustainable development of an estuary. This book is organized into seven chapters dealing with topics such as estuarine water circulation; estuarine sediment dynamics; tidal wetlands; estuarine food webs; and ecohydrology models and solutions. Although each chapter contains rigorous specialist knowledge, it is presented in an accessible way that encourages multi-disciplinary collaboration between such fields as hydrology, ecology and mathematical modeling. Estuarine Ecohydrology is appropriate for use as a textbook and as a reference for researchers; advanced undergraduate and graduate students in marine biology, oceanography, coastal management, and coastal engineering; coastal developers; resources managers, shipping operators; and those involved in estuarine fisheries and sustainable development communities. * Appropriate for use as a textbook and as a reference* Focuses on the principal components of an estuary* Presents theories, models, and real-world solutions to serve as a toolkit for designing a management plan for the ecologically sustainable development of an estuary

Inter- and Intraspecific Variation in Carbon and Nutrient Pools of Salt Marsh Plants

Inter- and Intraspecific Variation in Carbon and Nutrient Pools of Salt Marsh Plants PDF Author: Tracy Elsey-Quirk
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781109671841
Category : Plant nutrients
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This study examined both inter- and intraspecific variation of four dominant salt marsh macrophytes, a high marsh shrub, Baccharis halimifolia, a high marsh rush, Juncus roemerianus, a mid-marsh grass, Spartina patens, and the low marsh grass that is ubiquitous in wetlands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, short-form S. alterniflora. Chapter One evaluates the seasonal C pool dynamics of the four species including the seasonal allocation of above- and belowground C pools, C pool loss through decomposition, and soil C concentration in a wetland fringing Little Assawoman Bay, one of Delaware's Coastal Bays. To determine whether the rate of vertical accretion and organic matter accumulation differed between the low, S. alterniflora and high, J. roemerianus zones, soil cores from the two zones were used to measure 137 Cs and 210 Pb activity. Total plant C pools of the mid- and low marsh grass species, Spartina patens (4360 g C m -2) and Spartina alterniflora (4197 g C m -2), were similar and almost two and three times larger than total pools of Juncus roemerianus (2508 g C m -2) and Baccharis halimifolia (1490 g C m -2), respectively. Moving from the high to low marsh zones, the C pool shifted from primarily aboveground to belowground. Baccharis had the greatest aboveground C storage (1140 g m -2) and the slowest rate of C loss. Chapter Two examines interspecific variation in N pool dynamics in the four species including seasonal allocation of N pools above- and belowground, N loss through decomposition, N resorption efficiency, and soil N concentration. The seasonal fluctuation in the total N pools of the herbaceous species was due to belowground N pool dynamics, particularly fine root and dead large and small-sized macroorganic matter fluxes. Comparisons among the species revealed that the location, magnitude and timing of N storage and dispersal differed, which is important in the context of how species will shift in response to environmental change. Chapter Three describes the above- and belowground species associations in the fringing wetland and whether or not species shifts have occurred. Accurate productivity measurements in fringing wetlands may be dependent on species-specific organic matter separation, particularly belowground. Vegetation change in salt marshes may also become apparent when comparing above- and belowground species-specific live and dead organic matter. We surveyed species richness, frequency, and percent cover and measured above- and belowground biomass in three vegetation zones. Our study illustrates the importance of species-specific belowground biomass estimates to provide evidence of species shifts in both the low and high marsh zones. Chapter four examines intraspecific variation in morphological characteristics and carbon, nutrient, and mineral concentration and allocation within B. halimifolia, J. roemerianus, S. patens, and S. alterniflora. Ecotypic variation in morphology and composition and allocation of C, nutrients, and minerals in wetland plants may influence ecosystem functions such as the deposition and trapping of sediments, detritus production, secondary productivity, the cycling and storage of organic and inorganic nutrients, belowground organic matter production, and long-term C storage. We examined the expression of morphological traits and C, nutrient, and mineral composition and allocation among southern ecotypes, a tissue-culture regenerant, and a native mid-Atlantic ecotype for each of four salt marsh species after two growing seasons within natural stands in a mid-Atlantic salt marsh. Overall, we found that the expression of phenotypic variation was greatest in the low marsh, Spartina alterniflora than in the higher marsh species likely due to both the greater spatial variation in elevation and soil conditions in the higher marsh and potentially a lower tolerance of higher marsh species to environmental stress. The differences that we found among ecotypes have important implications for enhancing and developing ecosystem processes in restoration and creation projects. Chapter Five characterizes carbon pool dynamics of the salt marsh species, J. roemerianus, S. patens, and S. alterniflora using a STELLA model. The model was developed to examine the relationships between C pools and fluxes within species, to simultaneously compare the timing and magnitude of seasonal fluxes of C of each of the three species within a square meter, and to examine how changes to model parameters influence C pool dynamics and the accumulation of C belowground. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

The Handbook of Natural Resources, Second Edition, Six Volume Set

The Handbook of Natural Resources, Second Edition, Six Volume Set PDF Author: Yeqiao Wang
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0429821247
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 2337

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Book Description
Authored by world-class scientists and scholars, the Handbook of Natural Resources, Second Edition, is an excellent reference for understanding the consequences of changing natural resources to the degradation of ecological integrity and the sustainability of life. Based on the content of the bestselling and CHOICE awarded Encyclopedia of Natural Resources, this new edition demonstrates the major challenges that the society is facing for the sustainability of all wellbeing on planet Earth. The experience, evidence, methods, and models used in studying natural resources are presented in six stand-alone volumes, arranged along the main systems: land, water, and air. It reviews state-of-the-art knowledge, highlights advances made in different areas, and provides guidance for the appropriate use of remote sensing data in the study of natural resources on a global scale. The six volumes in this set cover: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biodiversity; Landscape and Land Capacity; Wetlands and Habitats; Fresh Water and Watersheds; Coastal and Marine Environments; and finally Atmosphere and Climate. Written in an easy-to-reference manner, the Handbook of Natural Resources, Second Edition, as a complete set, is essential for anyone looking for a deeper understanding of the science and management of natural resources. Public and private libraries, educational and research institutions, scientists, scholars, and resource managers will benefit enormously from this set. Individual volumes and chapters can also be used in a wide variety of both graduate and undergraduate courses in environmental science and natural science courses at different levels and disciplines, such as biology, geography, Earth system science, ecology, etc.

Estuarine Ecology

Estuarine Ecology PDF Author: John W. Day, Jr.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0471755672
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 576

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Book Description
Estuaries are among the most biologically productive ecosystems on the planet--critical to the life cycles of fish, other aquatic animals, and the creatures which feed on them. Estuarine Ecology, Second Edition, covers the physical and chemical aspects of estuaries, the biology and ecology of key organisms, the flow of organic matter through estuaries, and human interactions, such as the environmental impact of fisheries on estuaries and the effects of global climate change on these important ecosystems. Authored by a team of world experts from the estuarine science community, this long-awaited, full-color edition includes new chapters covering phytoplankton, seagrasses, coastal marshes, mangroves, benthic algae, Integrated Coastal Zone Management techniques, and the effects of global climate change. It also features an entriely new section on estuarine ecosystem processes, trophic webs, ecosystem metabolism, and the interactions between estuaries and other ecosystems such as wetlands and marshes

Technology and Success in Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement of Spartina Alterniflora Marshes in the United States: Executive summary and annotated bibliography

Technology and Success in Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement of Spartina Alterniflora Marshes in the United States: Executive summary and annotated bibliography PDF Author: Geoffrey Alan Matthews
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Estuarine area conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 122

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Book Description


Coasts and Estuaries

Coasts and Estuaries PDF Author: Eric Wolanski
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0128140046
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 726

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Book Description
Coasts and Estuaries: The Future provides valuable information on how we can protect and maintain natural ecological structures while also allowing estuaries to deliver services that produce societal goods and benefits. These issues are addressed through chapters detailing case studies from estuaries and coastal waters worldwide, presenting a full range of natural variability and human pressures. Following this, a series of chapters written by scientific leaders worldwide synthesizes the problems and offers solutions for specific issues graded within the framework of the socio-economic-environmental mosaic. These include fisheries, climate change, coastal megacities, evolving human-nature interactions, remediation measures, and integrated coastal management. The problems faced by half of the world living near coasts are truly a worldwide challenge as well as an opportunity for scientists to study commonalities and differences and provide solutions. This book is centered around the proposed DAPSI(W)R(M) framework, where drivers of basic human needs requires activities that each produce pressures. The pressures are mechanisms of state change on the natural system and Impacts on societal welfare (including well-being). These problems then require responses, which are the solutions relating to governance, socio-economic and cultural measures (Scharin et al 2016). Covers estuaries and coastal seas worldwide, integrating their commonality, differences and solutions for sustainability Includes global case studies from leading worldwide contributors, with accompanying boxes highlighting a synopsis about a particular estuary and coastal sea, making all information easy to find Presents full color images to aid the reader in a better understanding of details of each case study Provides a multi-disciplinary approach, linking biology, physics, climate and social sciences

Plant Life in Anaerobic Environments

Plant Life in Anaerobic Environments PDF Author: Donal D. Hook
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 578

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Book Description
Processes in anaerobiosis; Recent contribution on anaerobiosis.