Article
Environmental Sciences
Niu Li, Ming Nie, Bo Li, Jihua Wu, Jiayuan Zhao
Summary: Aboveground litter inputs from plants play a crucial role in carbon and nutrient fluxes to the soil. This study compared the effects of aboveground litter from native Phragmites australis and exotic Spartina alterniflora on soil nitrification and denitrification, finding species-specific impacts on these processes, particularly more pronounced in the late growth phase. The study also showed that while previous research has highlighted the strong impacts of invasive Spartina alterniflora on nitrogen removal processes, the aboveground litter from this species did not significantly alter nitrification or denitrification, suggesting the presence of other important pathways in these processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Sean Khan Ooi, Aidan Barry, Beth A. Lawrence, Chris S. Elphick, Ashley M. Helton
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between salt marsh vegetation zones and denitrification potential, and to predict the impact of sea-level rise on denitrification rates. The results showed that vegetation zones were the best predictor of denitrification potential, and the shift in vegetation zones may affect denitrification potential.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Youzheng Zhang, Steven C. Pennings, Zixia Liu, Bo Li, Jihua Wu
Summary: Global variation in litter decomposition rates is influenced by climate, decomposer taxa, and litter quality. This study explores how litter decomposition rate and quality vary within a species across different latitudes, finding that higher latitude plants have faster decomposition rates due to lower defensive compounds and higher nutrient levels. Additionally, exotic species decomposed faster than native species, indicating differences in defensive mechanisms and nutrient concentrations.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Plant Sciences
Kim-Teng Lee, Hong-Sheng Liao, Ming-Hsiun Hsieh
Summary: Glutamine (Gln) is the first synthesized amino acid in plant nitrogen assimilation. Glutamine synthetase (GS), an ancient enzyme, converts glutamate (Glu) and NH4+ into Gln at the expense of ATP. Plants have multiple GS isoenzymes that ensure sufficient Gln supply for growth and development. Gln serves as a building block for protein synthesis and as a nitrogen donor for the biosynthesis of various molecules.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kayleigh E. Granville, Sean Khan Ooi, Lauren E. Koenig, Beth A. Lawrence, Chris S. Elphick, Ashley M. Helton
Summary: The study found that denitrification and N2O production in salt marshes exhibit significant seasonal variations, while N2O yield depends on the marsh zone. Variations in denitrification and N2O production were greater across seasons than across different marsh zones, emphasizing the importance of understanding the temporal patterns of nitrogen cycling in salt marshes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robert Buchsbaum
Summary: Allens Pond, a coastal lagoon in southeastern Massachusetts, experienced two major hydrological events in the 2000s: culvert widening and inundation. The inundation had a more pronounced negative effect on salt marsh vegetation compared to the restoration, with some plants showing sensitivity to prolonged inundation. The flooding incident at Allens Pond provides insights into the potential impact of rising sea levels on estuarine plant and avian communities.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mollie R. Yacano, Suzanne P. Thompson, Michael F. Piehler
Summary: Invasive Phragmites australis plays an important role in marsh nitrogen cycling by promoting higher rates of sediment denitrification, effectively removing nitrogen from sediments.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Sofia Dias, Barbara Correia, Pedro Fraga-Santiago, Cristiana Silva, Paula C. Baptista, Carlos R. Gomes, C. Marisa R. Almeida
Summary: This study demonstrates that salt marsh plant Phragmites australis and its rhizosphere microorganisms have the potential to remove pharmaceutical compounds bezafibrate and paroxetine from estuarine environments. The presence of sediment, nutrients, or copper can enhance the removal efficiency of the compounds. Phytoremediation shows promise as a viable option for reducing the environmental impact of pharmaceutical compounds in estuarine areas.
Article
Ecology
Lele Liu, Yaolin Guo, Yiming Wu, Meiqi Yin, Xiao Guo, Franziska Eller, Christina L. Richards, Hans Brix, Rui-Ting Ju, Weihua Guo
Summary: Within-species genetic diversity is influenced by geography and has cascading effects on biodiversity. This study investigates the genetic structure of the native species Phragmites australis and its invasive competitor Spartina alterniflora. The results show geographical differentiation in genetic structure and an increase in genetic diversity from south to north. The invasive species alters the relationship between the genetic diversity of the native plant and the associated species richness of soil nematodes.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Wendy Ampuero Reyes, Gail L. Chmura
Summary: This study systematically investigated the contribution of belowground plant material to soil accretion in tidal salt marshes. The results showed that the traditional method of measuring carbon density underestimates the true contribution of salt marsh plants to soil accretion.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lathadevi K. K. Chintapenta, Katharine I. I. Ommanney, Gulnihal Ozbay
Summary: Human activities in wetlands and seasonal changes can affect the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and the types of marsh vegetation. The study found that different types of wetland vegetation and the ion composition of the soil can influence the levels of heavy metals.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Wei Wang, Junhong Bai, Qiongqiong Lu, Guangliang Zhang, Dawei Wang, Jia Jia, Yanan Guan, Lu Yu
Summary: The study investigated the effects of feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on biochar characteristics, revealing that high temperatures negatively affected biochar yields, H and O contents. Biochar derived from Spartina alterniflora showed higher ash content but lower C/H/N/O contents and HHVs compared to Phragmites australis-derived biochar. Additionally, cost analysis demonstrated that large-scale reactor production of biochar was more cost-effective than bench-scale reactor production, and Spartina alterniflora-derived biochar had a higher cost due to feedstock price and drying process.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Y. Peter Sheng, Adail A. Rivera-Nieves, Ruizhi Zou, Vladimir A. Paramygin, Christine Angelini, Sean J. Sharp
Summary: A study on the ecosystem service value of an invasive Phragmites marsh and a native Typha marsh during Superstorm Sandy found that the Phragmites marsh dissipated over half of the wave energy but had negligible flood protection for a village in New York. If the Phragmites were replaced with native cattail, the marsh's wave and debris buffering capacity would be preserved. The study highlights the significance of considering biodiversity and ecosystem service value in marsh restoration plans for flood protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tyler W. dD'Entremont, Juan C. Lopez-Gutierrez, Allison K. Walker
Summary: Salt marshes play essential roles in coastal stability and marine ecosystems, but are facing decline due to anthropogenic and natural causes. This study demonstrates that using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can significantly improve survival and growth of salt marsh grass, especially when using rhizome-derived plants inoculated with propagated Funneliformis geosporum. This finding suggests potential for using AMF-inoculated plants in large-scale salt marsh restoration efforts.
Article
Soil Science
Qiqiong Zhang, Zhongzheng Yan, Xiuzhen Li
Summary: In this study, differences in root iron plaque formation and the composition of Fe-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) and Fe-reducing bacteria (IRB) communities in the rhizosphere of Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis were compared. The results showed significant differences in iron plaque content and microbial diversity between the two plant species.