Article
Ecology
Bo Pang, Tian Xie, Baoshan Cui, Qing Wang, Zhonghua Ning, Zezheng Liu, Cong Chen, Yuming Lu, Xiaohu Zhao
Summary: The adaptability of various coastal vegetations to sea level rise was evaluated using a global dataset and a marsh equilibrium model. The study found differences in sediment accretion efficiency among plant populations, with factors such as latitude, stem density, and root structure influencing the efficiency.
ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pei Xin, Alicia Wilson, Chengji Shen, Zhenming Ge, Kevan B. Moffett, Isaac R. Santos, Xiaogang Chen, Xinghua Xu, Yvonne Y. Y. Yau, Willard Moore, Ling Li, D. A. Barry
Summary: Salt marshes are important ecosystems that provide essential ecological services, but they have been lost globally due to human activities and climate change. The interactions between tidal water and groundwater in salt marshes affect plant growth and biogeochemical exchange with coastal water. However, there are still significant knowledge gaps regarding the hydrological and ecological links in salt marshes and the challenges they face.
REVIEWS OF GEOPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
M. L. Vahsen, M. J. Blum, J. P. Megonigal, S. J. Emrich, J. R. Holmquist, B. Stiller, K. E. O. Todd-Brown, J. S. McLachlan
Summary: This study reveals the importance of rapid evolution in forecasting ecosystem dynamics. By incorporating heritable trait variation and evolution into models, predictions of coastal wetland ecosystems were altered, emphasizing the significance of accounting for evolutionary processes.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Nate G. McDowell, Marilyn Ball, Ben Bond-Lamberty, Matthew L. Kirwan, Ken W. Krauss, J. Patrick Megonigal, Maurizio Mencuccini, Nicholas D. Ward, Michael N. Weintraub, Vanessa Bailey
Summary: Observations of woody plant mortality in coastal ecosystems are common worldwide, but the processes and mechanisms underlying these deaths are not well understood. This lack of knowledge, combined with changing water levels and climatic factors, creates uncertainty in predicting how coastal ecosystems will respond to global change. This study synthesizes existing research to propose a hypothesis framework for understanding the mechanisms driving coastal woody plant mortality.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jared L. Wilmoth, Jeffra K. Schaefer, Danielle R. Schlesinger, Spencer W. Roth, Patrick G. Hatcher, Julie K. Shoemaker, Xinning Zhang
Summary: Research has shown that exposure of peat to oxygen can significantly increase methane production in subsequent anoxic conditions, with yields up to 2000 times higher compared to peat without oxygen exposure. Furthermore, specific functional shifts in the peat microbiome underlie the enhancement of methane production by oxygen in acidic, Sphagnum-rich wetland soils.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Luke O. Andrews, James G. Rowson, Simon J. M. Caporn, Nancy B. Dise, Eleanor Barton, Ed Garrett, W. Roland Gehrels, Maria Gehrels, Martin Kay, Richard J. Payne
Summary: By comparing experimental and palaeoecological records from a Welsh peat bog, it was found that vegetation underwent multiple changes over the past 1500 years, primarily in response to human disturbance. The responses of vegetation to climate change in the experiments and the palaeo record were not entirely consistent, possibly due to differences in the importance of drivers of vegetation change over varying timescales.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Thomas C. Parker, Alana M. Thurston, Katrine Raundrup, Jens-Arne Subke, Philip A. Wookey, Iain P. Hartley
Summary: Expansion of shrubs in the Arctic may lead to changes in rhizosphere processes, potentially promoting substantial soil carbon losses that may not be offset by increases in plant biomass. However, further research is needed to better understand the biogeochemical consequences of arctic vegetation change.
Article
Soil Science
Sofie Sjogersten, Betsabe De La Barreda-Bautista, Chloe Brown, Doreen Boyd, Hugo Lopez-Rosas, Elizabeth Hernandez, Roberto Monroy, Matilde Rincon, Christopher Vane, Vicky Moss-Hayes, Jose Alberto Gallardo-Cruz, Dulce Infante-Mata, Jorge Hoyos-Santillan, Jonathan Vidal Solorzano, Candelario Peralta-Carreta, Patricia Moreno-Casasola
Summary: The study revealed the significant carbon stocks in Mexican wetlands, with unprotected swamp forests and marshes containing substantial peat deposits, while grazed areas showed lower carbon storage effectiveness. Differences in carbon storage among wetland vegetation types in different regions highlight the need for region-specific government policies to protect coastal wetland carbon stocks.
Article
Ecology
Catherine E. Lovelock, Maria F. Adame, Jennifer Bradley, Sabine Dittmann, Valerie Hagger, Sharyn M. Hickey, Lindsay B. Hutley, Alice Jones, Jeffrey J. Kelleway, Paul S. Lavery, Peter Macreadie, Damien T. Maher, Soraya McGinley, Alice McGlashan, Sarah Perry, Luke Mosley, Kerrylee Rogers, James Z. Sippo
Summary: The restoration of coastal wetlands has the potential to provide climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, support biodiversity, and offer additional ecosystem services. Developing rigorous methods for quantifying blue carbon sequestration during restoration is crucial.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2022)
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
Shuying Qiu, Zhenyu Wang, Jiali Xu, Erqian Cui, Liming Yan
Summary: Coastal wetland ecosystems, such as saltmarshes, are effective in sequestering carbon to mitigate climate change. The effects of vegetation dynamics, specifically the invasive Spartina alterniflora and native Phragmites australis communities, on soil organic carbon (SOC) and its fractions were examined. The study found that plant ecophysiological traits influence the spatial distribution of SOC, and the different vegetation communities have different impacts on its accumulation and decomposition. These findings provide insights into the impacts of long-term species invasion on SOC in coastal wetlands under global changes.
ECOSYSTEM HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jacqueline L. Raw, Tom Van der Stocken, Dustin Carroll, Linda R. Harris, Anusha Rajkaran, Lara Van Niekerk, Janine B. Adams
Summary: This study shows that dispersal limits the distribution of mangroves at the southern African range limit. Under future climate scenarios, 30% of estuaries currently supporting mangroves are predicted to become unsuitable, while six new estuaries beyond the current distribution are predicted to become suitable. There is limited connectivity between these new sites and established forests.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Qihang Liao, Chao Lu, Feng Yuan, Qinya Fan, Hongyu Chen, Lin Yang, Penghua Qiu, Ziyue Feng, Chenglong Wang, Xinqing Zou
Summary: This study explored the impact of plant community change on soil properties, carbon-fixing genes, and bacterial community structure in coastal salt marsh wetlands. The results showed that plant community significantly influenced the soil organic carbon content, abundance of carbon-fixing genes, and relative abundance of bacterial genera involved in carbon fixation. Salinity was identified as the key driver affecting the structure of carbon-fixing bacterial communities. This research emphasizes the importance of microbial carbon fixation in soil carbon accumulation in coastal salt marsh wetlands.
APPLIED SOIL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Nicholas B. Waldo, Ludmila Chistoserdova, Dehong Hu, Heidi L. Gough, Rebecca B. Neumann
Summary: The research compared microbial communities in planted and unplanted wetland soil in Alaskan bog, finding that plant roots influence populations and metabolisms of methanogens and methanotrophs. Roots create an environment favoring specialized microbial metabolisms, with both aerobic and anaerobic metabolisms present as a result of the oxygen input.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nima Madani, Nicholas C. Parazoo, Charles E. Miller
Summary: Remote sensing and site-level observations have revealed significant changes in Arctic ecosystems due to climate warming, including vegetation greening, changes in species composition, and alterations in phenology. In this study, the solar induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) was used to examine the phenological changes in Arctic ecosystems from 2000 to 2020. The results showed distinct regional trends in the response of ecosystems to climate change, influencing the timing of spring photosynthesis onset, peak productivity during the growing season, and fall senescence. The findings highlight the importance of biodiversity and phenology information in Arctic ecosystem models and projections for better understanding the impacts of climate change.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erik S. Yando, Scott F. Jones, Mark W. Hester
Summary: The dispersal and establishment dynamics of mangrove propagules in a salt marsh-mangrove ecotone were studied, revealing significant export of propagules and disparity between dispersal and establishment dynamics. Most retained propagules stayed at their original elevations, while peak seedling density occurred at elevations flooded 20-40% of the time.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Aaron Macy, Michael J. Osland, Julia A. Cherry, Just Cebrian
Summary: Increases in temperature are expected to facilitate the encroachment of tropical mangrove forests into temperate salt marshes. The study conducted in Louisiana, USA, compared carbon and nitrogen stocks in marshes and mangroves and found that black mangrove encroachment leads to increased aboveground carbon and nitrogen stocks. However, belowground nitrogen and carbon sequestration may not be affected. Further studies are needed to better understand the implications of mangrove encroachment on nitrogen cycling, storage, and export to the coastal ocean.
Article
Plant Sciences
Scott F. Jones, Camille L. Stagg, Erik S. Yando, W. Ryan James, Kevin J. Buffington, Mark W. Hester
Summary: This study quantified vegetation recovery and resistance along flooding stress gradients, revealing ecosystem development at a landscape scale. Results showed that pre-existing stress increased biomass but led to decreased recovery and resistance of plant communities. The research highlighted the vulnerability of landscape-scale state changes after pulse disturbances, providing ecologists with spatially explicit resources for ecosystem management.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Laura C. Feher, Larry K. Allain, Michael J. Osland, Elisabeth Pigott, Christopher Reid, Nicholas Latiolais
Summary: This study compared the effects of old fields, prairie remnants, and restored prairies on plant communities of coastal prairie ecosystems in southwest Louisiana, USA. It found that remnants had higher species richness and more conservation value compared to restored prairies, which also had native species dominance but differed in composition from remnants.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. Osland, Philip W. Stevens, Margaret M. Lamont, Richard C. Brusca, Kristen M. Hart, J. Hardin Waddle, Catherine A. Langtimm, Caroline M. Williams, Barry D. Keim, Adam J. Terando, Eric A. Reyier, Katie E. Marshall, Michael E. Loik, Ross E. Boucek, Amanda B. Lewis, Jeffrey A. Seminoff
Summary: Tropicalization refers to the transformation of temperate ecosystems by poleward-moving tropical organisms in response to warming temperatures. In North America, as extreme winter cold events decrease, many tropical species are expected to expand their range northward, potentially impacting temperate organisms. The effects of extreme cold events on tropical organisms are significant and understudied, with warming winters likely facilitating the poleward range expansion of tropical species.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Aaron Macy, Michael J. Osland, Julia A. Cherry, Just Cebrian
Summary: The study suggests that planting mangroves in the northern Gulf of Mexico may not be the most efficient use of limited resources. Restoration efforts may benefit from focusing initially on restoring abiotic conditions, followed by using marsh plants to jump-start ecosystem development.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Joshua L. Breithaupt, Joseph M. Smoak, Thomas S. Bianchi, Derrick Vaughn, Christian J. Sanders, Kara R. Radabaugh, Michael J. Osland, Laura C. Feher, James C. Lynch, Donald R. Cahoon, Gordon H. Anderson, Kevin R. T. Whelan, Brad E. Rosenheim, Ryan P. Moyer, Lisa G. Chambers
Summary: Breithaupt et al. investigated the increase in organic carbon burial rates in coastal wetlands over the past century, concluding that this trend is related to an actual increase in organic carbon burial. They reject Parkinson's claims by providing evidence against them, particularly highlighting that auto-compaction correction is not applicable for organic carbon burial measurements.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caitlin M. Snyder, Laura C. Feher, Michael J. Osland, Christopher J. Miller, A. Randall Hughes, Karen L. Cummins
Summary: The study reveals that mangrove species in the Apalachicola Bay region are expanding unexpectedly, with historical records showing their presence for over 150 years and current growth conditions significantly different from the past. Unlike the A. germinans-dominated mangrove populations in Louisiana and Texas, the Apalachicola Bay region exhibits a high number and broad distribution of R. mangle individuals.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Erik S. S. Yando, Daniel A. A. Friess, Jahson Berhane Alemu, Siti Maryam Yaakub, Rachel Yu San Lau, Cheng Chang Lim, Jun Yu Puah
Summary: Seagrass meadows are important sinks of organic carbon, especially near-surface C(org) pool. This study investigated the spatial variability in seagrass near-surface C(org) and biomass C(org) across different geomorphic and community typologies. The results showed that near-surface C(org) stock in vegetated areas was higher than in unvegetated areas. Lagoonal and reef-associated meadows had higher C(org) stocks than estuary meadows, and persistent seagrass communities had higher C(org) stocks than pioneer communities.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
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
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael J. Osland, Bogdan Chivoiu, Nicholas M. Enwright, Karen M. Thorne, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, James B. Grace, Leah L. Dale, William Brooks, Nate Herold, John W. Day, Fred H. Sklar, Christopher M. Swarzenzki
Summary: Coastal wetlands, which are highly valued ecosystems, are under threat from high greenhouse gas emissions and rising sea levels. The migration of wetlands towards the land is unlikely to compensate for their loss towards the sea. This migration is expected to result in the loss of coastal freshwater wetlands and valuable uplands. It is important to prepare for and address the coastal transformations and net wetland loss caused by rising seas.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michael J. Osland, Bogdan Chivoiu, Laura C. Feher, Leah L. Dale, Deah Lieurance, Wesley M. Daniel, Jessica E. Spencer
Summary: Climate change is causing warmer winters, which helps invasive non-native species expand their range. In the southeastern United States, the cold temperature extremes determine the limit for many tropical invasive plant species. However, the consequences of winter climate change on invasive species' range limits have not been well studied.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Melinda Martinez, Michael J. Osland, James B. Grace, Nicholas M. Enwright, Camille L. Stagg, Simen Kaalstad, Gordon H. Anderson, Anna R. Armitage, Just Cebrian, Karen L. Cummins, Richard H. Day, Donna J. Devlin, Kenneth H. Dunton, Laura C. Feher, Alejandro Fierro-Cabo, Elena A. Flores, Andrew S. From, A. Randall Hughes, David A. Kaplan, Amy K. Langston, Christopher Miller, Charles E. Proffitt, Nathan G. F. Reaver, Colt R. Sanspree, Caitlin M. Snyder, Andrew P. Stetter, Kathleen M. Swanson, Jamie E. Thompson, Carlos Zamora-Tovar
Summary: Climate change is altering extreme weather events, and quantifying ecosystem responses to these events is crucial but limited by data availability. This study integrated remote sensing and ground-based observations to assess vegetation damage caused by an extreme freeze event. The results show a threshold relationship between minimum temperature and leaf damage of Avicennia germinans, a mangrove species, with significant damage observed along the central Texas coast. These findings highlight the value of combining remote sensing and ground-based observations to understand the effects of extreme freeze events on mangroves and their expansion near northern range limits in North America.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Laura C. Feher, Michael J. Osland, Christopher M. Swarzenski
Summary: By applying the Coastal Salinity Index (CSI) to 22 years of salinity data in the Barataria Estuary, Louisiana, this study examined the impacts of extreme events on estuarine salinities. The results showed that droughts, hurricanes, floods, and freshwater flow alterations influenced the salinity patterns in the estuary. The study provides valuable insights into the influence of extreme events on estuarine salinity regimes and emphasizes the importance of the CSI for identifying periods with extreme salinities.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Erik S. Yando, Scott F. Jones, W. Ryan James, Denise D. Colombano, Diana I. Montemayor, Stefanie Nolte, Jacqueline L. Raw, Shelby L. Ziegler, Luzhen Chen, Daniele Daffonchio, Marco Fusi, Kerrylee Rogers, Liudmila Sergienko
Summary: Salt marshes are important linkages between terrestrial and marine ecosystems, but the lack of a unifying conceptual framework has affected effective comparisons across different salt marshes. To address this issue, an integrative salt marsh conceptual framework has been developed, providing guidance on applying it to different locations. This framework allows for appropriate comparison by accounting for unique spatial settings in each salt marsh, and it is expected to enhance our understanding of salt marsh function.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2023)