Journal
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Volume 104, Issue -, Pages 37-46Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.12.003
Keywords
Spartina maritima; Saltmarsh; Multiple stressors; Marsh organ; Inundation; Nutrients
Funding
- projects MARES (Doctoral Programme in Marine Ecosystem Health and Conservation) [EU- 512002-1-2010-1-BE-EMJD]
- TETRIS (Observing, modelling and Testing synergies and TRade-offs for the adaptive management of multiple Impacts in coastal Systems, PRIN, Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research)
- Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO)
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Saltmarshes have been depleted historically, and cumulative stressors threaten their future persistence. We examined experimentally how nutrient availability (high vs. low) affects the responses of Spartina maritima to increased inundation in two mineral soil types (low vs. medium organic). Increased inundation, one of the effects of accelerated sea level rise, had negative effects on most plant growth parameters, but the magnitude varied with soil and nutrient levels, and between plants from different locations. Average differences between inundation treatments were largest at high nutrient conditions in low organic matter soils. We conclude that saltmarsh vegetation would be more drastically affected by increased inundation in low than in medium organic matter soils, and especially in estuaries already under high nutrient availability. This knowledge enhances the prediction of changes at the foreshore of saltmarshes related to sea level rise, and the development of site-specific conservation strategies. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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