Article
Environmental Sciences
Thomas E. Kutcher, Kenneth B. Raposa
Summary: Tidal restoration efforts in salt marshes have led to some biological recovery, but incomplete restoration is common due to inundation stress and eutrophication. This study highlights the importance of long-term biological monitoring and the use of rapid assessment data to provide valuable context for restoration findings and guide future restoration practices.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
A. Barry, S. K. Ooi, A. M. Helton, B. Steven, C. S. Elphick, B. A. Lawrence
Summary: In a study conducted in Connecticut salt marshes, it was found that unrestricted marshes had higher carbon density compared to tidally restored marshes, and vegetation was the main predictor of microbial respiration rates and carbon mineralization. Electrical conductivity was an important factor influencing microbial respiration rates, and there were distinct root zone microbial communities associated with different vegetation zones, providing insights into wetland ecological conditions.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
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
Alexandria C. Moore, Oswald J. Schmitz
Summary: Recent studies have shown that the loss of predators in coastal salt marshes can lead to a significant reduction in wetland extent due to overgrazing of vegetation by herbivores. Manipulating the presence of predators can lead to measurable changes in salt marsh ecosystem properties, indicating that controlling top-down factors can influence changes in measured variables.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Claudia Martinez-Megias, Andreu Rico
Summary: This study assesses the impact of various stressors on the biodiversity of Mediterranean coastal wetlands. It finds that eutrophication and chemical pollution are the most studied stressors, while temperature rise and species invasions are less represented. Most studies show direct or indirect effects of these stressors on primary producers and invertebrate communities, leading to changes in species dominance patterns and a decline in endemic populations. Few studies have addressed stressor interactions, highlighting the need for further research to guide ecosystem management and restoration measures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Katherine Ann Haviland, Robert Warren Howarth, Roxanne Marino, Melanie Hayn
Summary: This study examined the concentrations of various substances in seagrass leaf tissues and found that nitrogen enrichment had a significant impact on sediment quality, sulfide levels, and ultimately on seagrass growth and survival.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tyler M. Rippel, Jewel Tomasula, Billie Maguire, Shannon M. Murphy, Gina M. Wimp
Summary: Litter decomposition is a crucial ecosystem function that is impacted by global change factors such as species loss and nitrogen pollution. A field experiment in a coastal salt marsh showed that increasing densities of detritivorous snails and adding nitrogen can enhance litter decomposition rates. Additionally, snails, other detritivores, and soil NH4+ were found to be the best predictors of litter mass loss during the decomposition process.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Michael S. Roy, Jarrett E. K. Byrnes, Georgia Mavrommati
Summary: Climate change puts pressure on the sustainability of human and natural systems worldwide. The salt marshes in Plum Island Estuary, Massachusetts, are facing climate stresses such as sea level rise and the expansion of fiddler crab range. This study finds that policy interventions can mitigate the loss of marsh area and recreational activities.
SUSTAINABILITY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Ronald Baker, Michael W. Beck, Kate Dodds, Sophus O. S. E. zu Ermgassen, Debbrota Mallick, Matthew D. Taylor, R. Eugene Turner
Summary: Tidal marshes are economically valuable habitats that have experienced significant declines globally. Understanding and valuing ecosystem services plays a key role in conserving and restoring marshes, although there are hesitations regarding valuation and its application in decision-making. The quantification and valuation of ecosystem services are already influencing decision-making by coastal risk managers, insurers, engineers, and policy makers, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of ecosystem services in salt marsh conservation and restoration.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Jana Haddad, Johanna H. Rosman, Richard A. Luettich, Christine M. Voss
Summary: Understanding wave transformation in marsh vegetation canopies is crucial for assessing nature-based shoreline strategies. This study investigates the challenges of accurately modeling wave dissipation in coastal marshes and proposes a new dimensionless parameter to represent the canopy drag coefficient (C-D). The study finds that uncertainties in vegetation measurements lead to variations in C-D expressions, and suggests using the Cauchy number (Ca) as the more appropriate parameter for larger waves.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Beatriz Marin-Diaz, Daphne van Der Wal, Leon Kaptein, Pol Martinez-Garcia, Christopher H. Lashley, Kornelis de Jong, Jan Willem Nieuwenhuis, Laura L. Govers, Han Olff, Tjeerd J. Bouma
Summary: Salt marshes can provide important coastal defense by reducing wave loading and run-up levels during storms. The development of salt marshes in the Dutch Wadden Sea is related to the bathymetry of the tidal-flat foreshore, and wave run-up onto dikes depends on foreshore bathymetry, the presence of marshes, marsh vegetation properties, tidal range, and wind exposure.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoshuai He, William G. Wallace, John R. Reinfelder
Summary: Grass shrimp have been identified as a potential factor in the transfer of methylmercury from salt marsh sediments to young-of-the-year (YOY) fish. The concentrations of methylmercury in grass shrimp were found to be significantly correlated with sediment levels. Bioenergetic models have shown that grass shrimp play a major role in the accumulation of methylmercury in YOY striped bass and summer flounder. Direct accumulation of methylmercury from grass shrimp to YOY fish increases with higher levels of methylmercury in both grass shrimp and sediment. However, in heavily contaminated salt marshes, indirect accumulation of methylmercury from grass shrimp by YOY summer flounder is predicted to plateau due to a lower proportion of grass shrimp in the diet.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Moumita Ghosh, Kartick Chandra Mondal, Anirban Roy
Summary: Climate-change driven sea level rise increases salinity in coastal wetlands, leading to changes in species composition. Mangroves, which are intolerant of excessive salinity, are particularly vulnerable. Restoration strategies for mangroves are being researched to address this issue. Analyzing mangrove occurrence data can help understand and predict mangrove behavior under different environmental parameters, aiding in restoration and management strategies. Incorporating salt marshes in mangrove restoration activities can help mitigate excessive salinity.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Qin Chen, Ling Zhu, Yan Ding, Navid Jafari, Hongqing Wang, Bradley D. Johnson
Summary: Coastal regions are facing increasing flood risks due to climate change. Coastal wetlands and vegetation are effective in mitigating coastal hazards by creating drag force and dampening storm surges and wind waves. A species-independent relationship between drag coefficient (C-D) and Reynolds number (Re) is proposed and validated, allowing for accurate wave attenuation prediction in salt marshes.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alice F. Besterman, Rachel W. Jakuba, Wenley Ferguson, Diana Brennan, Joseph E. Costa, Linda A. Deegan
Summary: Runnel construction is a method used to restore marsh vegetation in coastal areas, and it has been incorporated into numerous projects in the northeastern USA. However, the long-term efficacy of runnels remains uncertain, as there are unresolved questions regarding their effectiveness in marshes with different elevations, tidal ranges, and management histories. While runnel construction alone cannot improve the long-term resilience of marshes, it can buy time for salt marshes to respond to management actions or adapt to sea level rise as part of comprehensive climate planning.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)