Article
Environmental Sciences
Jhostin Ramos, Marco Boto, Juan Felipe Blanco-Libreros, Jose M. Riascos
Summary: Anthropogenic disturbances caused by urban expansion have led to lost mangrove habitats in southern Colombia, but thriving populations of Littoraria angulifera have been found in urban areas on artificial substrates, displaying different population characteristics. The snails in anthropogenic substrates show significantly higher abundance and smaller size ranges compared to natural habitats, indicating potential behavioral adjustments in response to novel urban seascapes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geography
Carlton P. Anderson, Gregory A. Carter, Margaret C. B. Waldron
Summary: Coastal marshes play a vital role in providing ecosystem services, such as biodiversity, water quality, and erosion protection. This study aimed to determine precise elevation thresholds associated with coastal marshes and their transition zones, known as ecotones, and upland plant communities along Mississippi's Gulf of Mexico coast. The results showed that the transitions from marsh to ecotone and ecotone to upland occurred at approximately 0.40 m and 0.60 m elevation, respectively. Understanding these centimeter-scale dependencies will facilitate the modeling of marsh migration in response to various factors.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GEOGRAPHERS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Steven C. Pennings, Rachael M. Glazner, Zoe J. Hughes, John S. Kominoski, Anna R. Armitage
Summary: The study found that mangroves provide better coastal protection against erosion compared to salt marsh vegetation, especially at lower coverage levels. Although Hurricane Harvey did not cause increased erosion, the effectiveness of erosion prevention increased with higher mangrove cover.
Article
Remote Sensing
Xiaojun Qiao, Tianxing Chu, Philippe Tissot, Seneca Holland
Summary: This study utilized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques to map large-scale subsidence along the Texas coastline. The results suggest that hydrocarbon extraction (HE) activities are the primary driver of observed subsidence, but other factors such as groundwater withdrawal (GW) and salt dome movements also contribute to subsidence in certain areas.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED EARTH OBSERVATION AND GEOINFORMATION
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Daniel J. Coleman, Kerrylee Rogers, D. Reide Corbett, Christopher J. Owers, Matthew L. Kirwan
Summary: The study found that mangroves do not reduce the ability of salt marshes to adapt to sea level rise, and activities that limit mangrove encroachment into salt marshes will not improve the salt marshes' sediment trapping capacity.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anna R. Armitage, Carolyn A. Weaver, Ashley A. Whitt, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: The study found that woody encroachment of mangroves into coastal wetlands can lead to a decrease in plant species richness and changes in animal assemblages, with certain species being more common in areas without mangroves. Results were consistent with a previous manipulative experiment, indicating mangroves have significant impacts on associated plant and animal communities as woody encroachment continues and mangrove cover increases.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lina Cui, Huimin Sun, Xuhua Du, Wenting Feng, Yugang Wang, Jinchi Zhang, Jiang Jiang
Summary: The trends of soil carbon fractions differ between mangrove and S. alterniflora communities, with SOC increasing over time in mangrove ecosystems while no significant trend is observed in S. alterniflora dominated ecosystems. The highest LOC in mangrove communities appears in 5-year-old stands and decreases with stand age, whereas labile carbon fractions increase with stand age in S. alterniflora communities. This suggests complex interactions between soil carbon pools and environmental conditions in coastal wetlands, indicating that soil carbon models should consider decoupled dynamics of LOC and SOC.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Kai Xiao, Feng Pan, Isaac R. Santos, Yan Zheng, Chunmiao Zheng, Nengwang Chen, Zeyang Lu, Fenfang Wang, Zhenyang Li, Hailong Li
Summary: In this study, the impact of crab bioturbation on the redox geochemistry of iron, phosphate, and sulfide in coastal wetlands was investigated. The results showed that crab burrowing activities created deep depths for redox reactions and facilitated the coupling of Fe and S, leading to spatial variability in soil geochemistry. These findings highlight the importance of crab burrows in mediating the cycling of key elements in wetland ecosystems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jong-Won Park, John da Graca, Mamoudou Setamou, Madhurababu Kunta
Summary: The study conducted in Texas Upper Gulf Coast region identified multiple strains of CTV over a 6-year period, with 14 samples showing mixed infections and potential recombination within plants. Inconsistent genotyping data were observed, suggesting a complex pattern of CTV strain diversity in the region due to multiple introductions of infected plant materials for propagation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brian T. Lamb, Maria A. Tzortziou, Kyle C. McDonald
Summary: This study developed advanced methodologies for monitoring tidal wetlands and adjacent deepwaters in the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf Coast United States, using satellite imagery to classify marshes and open water, assess marsh loss and salinity regimes, and map two invasive plant species. These results have important implications for improved monitoring and management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. D. Statkewicz, B. Rappenglueck
Summary: An analysis was conducted to investigate the sea breeze and its correlation with precipitation in two cases. The first case examined pure sea breezes, while the second case focused on sea breezes associated with inland precipitation. A comparison of study areas revealed that changes in Houston's sea breeze were influenced by both urbanization and climate change. The results showed a decrease in sea breeze days in the Houston area, while Beaumont experienced an increase in sea breeze days and precipitation. Houston's high urbanization level was found to potentially interfere with the sea breeze.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xiaojun Qiao, Tianxing Chu, Philippe Tissot, Jason Louis, Ibraheem Ali
Summary: A double-difference method is used to estimate vertical land motion at tide gauge sites along the Texas Gulf Coast. The results show that the DD method outperforms the single-difference method in VLM estimation and has a higher correlation with the ground-truth GNSS PPP solutions.
IEEE GEOSCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Yiyang Xu, Tarandeep S. Kalra, Neil K. Ganju, Sergio Fagherazzi
Summary: This study used a 3D fully coupled modeling system to simulate the final vegetation cover and timescale of salt marshes under different forcing conditions. The simulations showed that sediment concentration, settling velocity, sea level rise, and tidal range each had different impacts on the equilibrium coverage and timescale of marshes.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiao Xu, Shujuan Wei, Hongyang Chen, Bo Li, Ming Nie
Summary: The effects of Spartina alterniflora invasions on soil carbon content in coastal wetlands in China are not clear. This study found that S. alterniflora increased soil organic carbon content in salt marshes dominated by dwarf succulent species in the northern subtropics, but decreased carbon content in mangroves dominated by Kandelia obovata and mixed communities in the southern subtropics. The carbon content in S. alterniflora-invaded ecosystems increased only on a decadal scale and then decreased gradually.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Sebastian Euler, Luke C. Jeffrey, Damien T. Maher, Scott G. Johnston, Ryo Sugimoto, Douglas R. Tait
Summary: Mangroves are important ecosystems that have significant impacts on primary production, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas cycles in coastal sediments. Microorganisms, specifically bacteria and archaea, play key roles in these processes. However, there are uncertainties regarding the functional and spatial distributions of microorganisms in mangroves.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jacob M. Sigren, Jens Figlus, Wesley Highfield, Rusty A. Feagin, Anna R. Armitage
JOURNAL OF COASTAL RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carolyn A. Weaver, Anna R. Armitage
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna R. Armitage, Carolyn A. Weaver, John S. Kominoski, Steven C. Pennings
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Michael J. Osland, Richard H. Day, Courtney T. Hall, Laura C. Feher, Anna R. Armitage, Just Cebrian, Kenneth H. Dunton, A. Randall Hughes, David A. Kaplan, Amy K. Langston, Aaron Macy, Carolyn A. Weaver, Gordon H. Anderson, Karen Cummins, Ilka C. Feller, Caitlin M. Snyder
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Sean P. Charles, John S. Kominoski, Anna R. Armitage, Hongyu Guo, Carolyn A. Weaver, Steven C. Pennings
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Anna R. Armitage, Carolyn A. Weaver, Ashley A. Whitt, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: The study found that woody encroachment of mangroves into coastal wetlands can lead to a decrease in plant species richness and changes in animal assemblages, with certain species being more common in areas without mangroves. Results were consistent with a previous manipulative experiment, indicating mangroves have significant impacts on associated plant and animal communities as woody encroachment continues and mangrove cover increases.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Steven C. Pennings, Rachael M. Glazner, Zoe J. Hughes, John S. Kominoski, Anna R. Armitage
Summary: The study found that mangroves provide better coastal protection against erosion compared to salt marsh vegetation, especially at lower coverage levels. Although Hurricane Harvey did not cause increased erosion, the effectiveness of erosion prevention increased with higher mangrove cover.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna R. Armitage
Summary: The study found that utilizing different restoration approaches within anthropogenically altered landscapes can achieve desirable ecosystem-level restoration outcomes. Marshes filled with beneficial uses had similar plant biomass and cover to reference conditions, and were up to 70% higher than in excavated formations, regardless of planting technique or location in the landscape.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Janelle A. Goeke, Anna R. Armitage
Summary: Research shows that mangrove encroachment may have negative consequences for salt marsh basal consumers, leading to altered ecosystem carbon flows.
Article
Ecology
Amanda L. Kuhn, John S. Kominoski, Anna R. Armitage, Sean P. Charles, Steven C. Pennings, Carolyn A. Weaver, Tom R. Maddox
Summary: The study found that Hurricane Harvey had impacts on surface sediment accretion, soil chemistry, and root biomass in coastal wetlands. Post-hurricane, there was a significant reduction in root biomass in both marsh and mangrove cells, which was correlated with enhanced nutrient limitation, potentially affecting ecosystem function and increasing vulnerability to disturbances.
Article
Ecology
Dan Peng, Denise C. Montelongo, Leslie Wu, Anna R. Armitage, John S. Kominoski, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: As global change alters ecosystems, the importance of subsidies from one habitat to another may change. This study manipulated black mangrove cover and found that increasing mangrove cover decreases the relative importance of marine subsidies into the intertidal at the plot level, but concentrates subsidies at the front edge of the mangrove stand. Storms may temporarily override mangrove attenuation of subsidies. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of changes in plant species composition on marine subsidies and exchanges among ecosystems.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. Osland, A. Randall Hughes, Anna R. Armitage, Steven B. Scyphers, Just Cebrian, Savannah H. Swinea, Christine C. Shepard, Micheal S. Allen, Laura C. Feher, James A. Nelson, Cherie L. O'Brien, Colt R. Sanspree, Delbert L. Smee, Caitlin M. Snyder, Andrew P. Stetter, Philip W. Stevens, Kathleen M. Swanson, Lauren H. Williams, Janell M. Brush, Joseph Marchionno, Remi Bardou
Summary: Climate change is causing mangrove expansion and displacement of salt marshes in the southeastern United States, which has significant implications for wetland ecosystem services and stability. The impacts of this change on carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, storm protection, and water purification need further research and consideration by coastal managers.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
John S. Kominoski, Carolyn A. Weaver, Anna R. Armitage, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: Changes in dominant plant species following a hurricane can affect carbon processing in coastal wetlands. Despite declines in soil nutrients, post-hurricane carbon processing increased with mangrove cover.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alyssa C. Hockaday, Anna R. Armitage, Steven C. Pennings
Summary: Ecologists use different methods to study interspecific competition and the results may vary. In this study conducted in Texas, USA, we compared four methods to examine the competitive interactions between black mangroves and salt marsh plants. Mangroves were found to strongly suppress the cover and biomass of salt marsh plants, but the strength of these interactions varied depending on the method used, plant species studied, and spatial scale considered.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Janelle A. Goeke, Emelie M. Foster, Anna R. Armitage
Summary: Tropicalization is a global phenomenon that is changing ecosystems, and mangrove encroachment is a specific form of tropicalization that can have consequences for coastal wetland fauna. This study focuses on the interactions between key coastal wetland consumers and encroaching black mangroves and identifies physiological responses that may contribute to shifts in floral and faunal communities.