盐城海滨湿地碱蓬沼泽时空演变人为影响研究

盐城海滨湿地景观演变受人为影响极其显著。研究依据2000、2006 年、2011 年3 个时期ETM+影像为基础数据源, 从对比的角度, 揭示人为影响下碱蓬沼泽景观演变特征。研究结果显示: (1) 2000-2011 年, 北部人工管理区,碱蓬沼泽面积变化明显, 减少了87.158%, 比南部自然区域多减少了22%; 景观破碎度加剧, 景观聚合度指数从95.780下降到65.455, 比南部区域多下降了16%; 斑块平均面积由389.333 hm2 下降到21.429 hm2, 比南部区域多下降了11%;由于不同时期围堰强度的差异, 人工管理区打破了自然条件下碱蓬沼泽相对稳定的变化速率, 呈现先快后慢的特征,2000-2006 年间年减少面积为118.167 hm2·a–1, 2006-2011 年只有51.500 hm2·a–1。景观空间变化上, 人工管理区碱蓬沼泽质心向东南方向偏移666.350 m, 而南部区域向东北方偏移了1042.710 m; 2006-2011 年, 人工管理区碱蓬沼泽质心以向东偏移为主, 而南部区域以向北偏移为主。(2) 人工围堰致使人工管理区生态系统向淡水生态系统转变, 而有利于淡水芦苇沼泽的发育: 2006-2006 年, 在人工管理区, 通过人工围堰539 hm2 的碱蓬沼泽转变为芦苇沼泽和养殖池, 转移率比南部区域高出了近4%。2006-2011 年, 北部人工管理区有178 hm2 的碱蓬沼泽转移为芦苇沼泽, 转移率比南部区域高出了近20%。(3) 由于互花米草超强的扩张能力和种间竞争能力, 致使海滨湿地形成了碱蓬沼泽-互花米草沼泽的演变格局: 2000-2006 年, 北部人工管理区15.24%的碱蓬沼泽转移为互花米草沼泽, 转移率比南部区域高出了13%; 2006-2011 年, 人工管理区30.07%的碱蓬沼泽转移为互花米草沼泽, 比南部区域高出了近10%。     

入侵种互花米草空间扩张模式识别与景观变化模拟

在3S技术支撑下,通过景观格局指数、质心变化等方法,分析2006—2015年研究区内互花米草群落的景观空间分布特征,并利用2015年高分二号影像识别出扩张模式及预测扩张趋势。结果表明:(1)近年来,互花米草沼泽向陆扩张速度大于向海扩张速度,其质心不断向陆方向移动。(2)2006—2015年,互花米草斑块密度变大,面积加权平均形状指数也相应增大为8.63,景观形状越来越复杂。(3)利用LEI和PFD识别出互花米草的3种扩张模式,边缘扩张面积远大于外部隔离扩张面积,外部隔离扩张斑块数量远多于边缘扩张和潮沟引领式扩张斑块数之和,潮沟对互花米草的向陆扩张起到引领作用。(4)利用缓冲区分析模拟互花米草向陆扩张的趋势,未来5年碱蓬沼泽的面积将减少11.45%。研究可为进一步认识互花米草入侵碱蓬沼泽机制提供科学参考。     

自然和人工管理驱动下盐城海滨湿地景观格局演变特征与空间差异

将盐城国家级自然保护区核心区划分为人工管理区和自然湿地区两种模式,根据1987年、1997年、2007年3个时相的景观资料,运用RS、GIS技术和景观生态学方法,分析不同驱动力下湿地景观格局的变化差异。结果表明:(1)人工管理区,景观斑块平均面积由205.31 hm2降至55.60 hm2,景观多样性指数1.4284降低到1.2928,优势度从0.3634上升到0.7766,表明景观破碎化明显,景观多样性呈降低趋势,优势度则呈上升趋势。景观变化的结果导致景观带状特征变弱,镶嵌性特征十分明显;1987—1997年期间,景观格局空间演变表现为从陆地向海洋的单向演替;而1997—2007年,景观演替呈现多向性特征。(2)自然湿地区,景观优势度呈下降趋势,从0.4844下降到0.3164;而景观多样性呈上升趋势,其指数从0.9019上升到1.4754。景观带状格局发育更加明显,各景观带宽趋于均匀,并且景观从陆地向海洋呈单向演替特征。(3)影响海滨湿地景观格局演变的驱动因素是:自然湿地区主要受海洋潮汐作用影响,其主要自然过程如地貌过程和植物群落演替过程等呈连续性变化,从而导致景观演变呈带状连续性发展;人工管理区主要受人为管理影响,人为管理往往使生态过程的连续性发生突变,从而使景观演变呈多向性特征。     

盐城滨海湿地植物群落种间格局与竞争的关系研究

盐城滨海湿地植物群落种间格局与竞争关系发生变化，导致湿地景观结构与格局发生变化。以江苏盐城国家级珍禽自然保护区核心区为典型研究区，利用1992、1997、2000、2011、2017年TM影像作为数据源，结合GIS技术，运用景观生态学方法分析了滨海湿地植物群落种间格局与竞争关系的时空变化特征。结果表明：①1992-2017年，植物群落结构变化呈现出芦苇群落和互花米草群落持续扩张的特征，其面积百分比到2017年分别达到37.06%和34.50%；碱蓬群落整体上呈现持续萎缩的特征，到2017年仅占5.09%。②1992-2017年，香农多样性指数（SHDI）和边缘密度（ED）值分别先上升至1.482和14.391，再逐渐下降至1.283和11.967，最大斑块指数（LPI）和聚集度指数（AI）先增大再减小，均反映了植物群落竞争关系从单一化走向多元化再到单一化的趋势。③1992-2017年，芦苇-碱蓬群落之间竞争的空间位置先向海方向推进，后向陆方面后退；碱蓬-互花米草群落竞争的位置先向海、再向陆方向、再向海方面演进；芦苇-碱蓬-互花米草群落种间竞争的位置由区域的南部向中部演进。研究可为进一步认识滨海湿地植物群落的基本结构和种间格局的动态变化，为生物多样性保护和修复提供科学参考。     

基于“格局-过程-质量”的盐城滨海湿地生境变化分析

生境质量是生态系统重要的服务功能之一,研究生境质量-格局-过程的内在联系,对于区域生态系统功能维护与可持续管理具有重要意义。以江苏盐城国家级珍禽自然保护区核心区为研究对象,以1992年、2000年、2011年、2017年遥感影像和2011年土壤水分/盐度为基础数据源,基于InVEST模型开展生境质量评估,并通过多元回归模型、景观过程模型,探讨生境质量与景观格局、生态过程的关系,模拟区域生境质量时空变化。结果表明:(1)1992—2017年,芦苇沼泽面积百分比从0.13%增长到36.95%;米草沼泽面积百分比从3.05%增加到35.42%;碱蓬沼泽先增后减,面积百分比减少到5.11%。(2)1992—2011年,生境质量指数从0.85下降至0.76,降低了10.52%。2011—2017年,生境质量指数的变化与1992—2011年变化相反,生境质量指数上升至0.78。(3)多元回归分析结果显示:显著性水平α=0.01下,生态过程与景观格局显著相关,表明景观格局与生态过程是相互作用的;在α=0.10下,生境质量与生态过程、景观格局显著相关,总体相关系数为0.69,表明景观格局与生态过程共同影响着生境质量。(4)景观格局与生境质量模拟结果显示:至2030年,米草沼泽面积百分比将扩张至64.06%,碱蓬沼泽面积百分比将减少至0.04%,面临消失;生境质量指数将下降至0.65。互花米草扩张是生境质量下降的主要原因,构建"格局-过程-质量"的耦合关系,才能从生态过程上控制互花米草扩张,改变区域景观格局,优化生境质量,为世界自然遗产地的保护与建设提供参考。     

沼泽湿地互花米草植物体传输与排放甲烷特征

于各测定月的小潮日,使用悬管装置采集气样并结合气相色谱测定,对闽江河口互花米草（Spartina alterniflora）沼泽湿地互花米草植株的甲烷传输量及其主要释放部位进行了研究,另又采用静态箱法-气相色谱法测定了互花米草沼泽湿地甲烷的排放通量,以此分析互花米草植物体甲烷传输对互花米草沼泽湿地甲烷排放通量的贡献率,最后测定了互花米草植株髓腔内的甲烷浓度。结果表明,不同生长阶段的互花米草植株甲烷传输量明显不同,快速生长阶段的互花米草植株甲烷传输量最高;互花米草植株甲烷传输对互花米草沼泽湿地甲烷排放通量的贡献率介于9%-94%之间;互花米草植物体传输甲烷的主要释放部位是距地面0-20cm处,该部位对植物甲烷传输量的贡献率为50%（平均值）;髓腔内的甲烷浓度远高于大气中的甲烷浓度,且自下而上呈递减趋势。     

1989—2020年长江口九段沙湿地格局演变及影响因素

河口湿地受流域和海洋环境变化及人类活动的共同影响,脆弱而敏感,演变机制复杂。九段沙湿地是长江河口面积最大的河口沙洲湿地,受流域来沙减少和外来物种互花米草入侵的影响,其湿地格局正在经历快速演变。本研究通过遥感解译、野外调查、地形资料分析等方法,分析了1989—2020年九段沙湿地格局演变过程,结合大通水文站的水文数据和九段沙互花米草入侵历史,重点分析了流域减沙和互花米草入侵对九段沙湿地的影响。结果表明: 1991年以来,九段沙湿地总面积(-5 m以上)先增后减,在2005年湿地总面积最大(421.16 km²);1989—2020年,九段沙0 m以上潮滩湿地和湿地植被面积呈持续增长趋势,分别增加了1.5和47.1倍;流域来沙减少导致九段沙0 m以上潮滩湿地面积和植被面积的增速下降,而-5 m以上湿地总面积呈减少趋势;1997年以来引种外来物种互花米草的快速扩张已严重侵占了本地物种的生存空间,成为九段沙湿地中面积最大的优势植物。流域减沙和互花米草入侵正导致九段沙湿地结构发生快速演变,为避免其生态服务功能退化,应积极采取湿地保护和修复措施,维持九段沙湿地生态系统的稳定与健康发展。     

江苏盐城滨海湿地外来种互花米草的时空动态及景观格局

基于1992—2007年的遥感影像和野外调查数据,在地理信息系统的支持下,应用景观生态学理论和转移矩阵方法,定量分析了江苏盐城滨海湿地外来种互花米草的时空动态及其景观格局的演变规律.结果表明：研究区互花米草面积由1992年的3561 hm²上升至2007年的14491 hm²,增幅达306.94%,累计转入和转出面积分别为26291和15361 hm²;其中,江苏盐城国家级自然保护区核心区的互花米草面积由1992年的597 hm²增长到2007年的2814 hm ²,年增幅达24.74%.研究期间,该区互花米草空间分布格局由初始的河口地带零星斑块逐渐演变为连续带状,并扩展到射阳河口至梁跺河口之间的滩涂外围;研究区互花米草的斑块重心向东南方向移动（2.92 km）,平均斑块面积先增（1992—2002年）后降（2002—2007年）,最大斑块指数及面积加权临近度指数逐年递增,斑块形状趋向规则化.     

东亚-澳大利亚迁徙路线上鸻形目水鸟适宜生境变化:以崇明东滩迁徙停歇地为例

崇明东滩湿地是鸻形目水鸟东亚-澳大利亚迁徙路线上的重要迁徙停歇地。本文借助Landsat ETM+遥感影像对研究地区2000—2010年鸻形目水鸟适宜生境(海三棱藨草和滩涂湿地)的变化进行动态监测,并借助FRAGSTATS景观指数对适宜生境的景观特征进行分析。结果表明,鸻形目水鸟的适宜生境的总面积为10305.52 hm2,仅次于深水区湿地(15918.66 hm2)。海三棱藨草和滩涂湿地的总面积在2000—2006年缓慢增加(从10448.2hm2增加到10696.5 hm2)。海三棱藨草和滩涂湿地面积的增加主要由深水区湿地转化而来,而其面积的减少主要被芦苇和互花米草湿地所取代。与2000年相比,海三棱藨草和滩涂湿地的景观异质性和破碎程度在2010年趋于增加(2000—2006年趋于增加,2006—2010年趋于下降)。在整个景观尺度上,所有湿地的异质性和破碎程度在2000—2006年趋于增加,而在2006—2010年趋于下降。从景观特征来看,研究地区鸻形目水鸟适宜生境的质量(生境组成/要素配置、复杂性、连接性和异质性等)在2000—2006年趋于下降,而在2006—2010年趋于增加。本文结果有助于指导湿地修复与营造策略的制定,以更好地实现在长江河口湿地保护迁徙鸻形目水鸟。     

广西山口红树林保护区互花米草扩散动态及其驱动力

互花米草在红树林湿地中扩散对生境与生态系统造成严重影响,已成为生物入侵问题研究的焦点之一。然而目前关于互花米草扩散动态及其驱动力的研究成果仍为鲜见。论文以广西山口红树林保护区为研究对象,以2009、2013、2019年遥感影像为数据源,采用人机互译、野外勘查结合的方法识别互花米草布局,利用土地类型转移矩阵、质心的变化、景观指数以及灰色关联度等方法分析互花米草扩散特征及其驱动力。结果表明：（1）2009-2019年间,互花米草面积、斑块数量呈现增长趋势,但面积增幅下降,2009-2013年间年均增长率为7.60%,2013-2019年间年均增长率则为1.99%;互花米草面积年均增长率大于红树林,光滩转化为互花米草的面积是其转化为红树林面积的1.507倍;互花米草、红树林均有破碎化趋势;（2）2009-2019年间,互花米草的质心坐标都位于丹兜海潮滩,2009-2013年互花米草斑块质心向西北方向偏移,2013-2019年向东南方向偏移;（3）2009-2019年间,互花米草动态变化受到人为因素与自然因素共同影响。其中,赶海人口比例与最大斑块指数、斑块密度、斑块数相关性最大;年均最高温与互花米草分维数、破碎化指数、面积相关性最大。（4）影响互花米草面积变化的因素依次为：年均最高温、年均最低温、赶海人口比例、地区生产总值;互花米草面积与年均最高、年均低温均呈正相关,与赶海人口比例呈负相关。研究结果将为互花米草监控提供科学借鉴,为红树林保护提供理论依据。     

A study of the population dynamics of Spartina alterniflora at Jiuduansha shoals,Shanghai, China

This study investigated the population expansion pattern of an exotic species of Spartina alterniflora for a period of 7 years, after it had been newly introduced to the neonatal shoals of Jiuduansha (GPS), in the Yangtze Estuary, Shanghai. Remote sensing, in conjunction with geographical information systems (GIS) and global positioning systems (GPS) was used to map saltmarsh vegetation on the Jiuduansha shoals and the classifications were then checked using in situ field surveys of selected areas. The results showed that the S. alterniflora population had expanded from 55 hm² when first introduced in 1997, to 1014 hm² in 2004. The population expansion pattern of S. alterniflora on the Jiuduansha shoals was compatible with the common feature of invasions, i.e. the initial colonization, a lag time and the onset of rapid population growth and range expansion. In the first year of plantation (1997), about 35 hm² of S. alterniflora was successfully colonized on the Jiuduansha shoals. The period between 1998 and 2000 was characterized by a lag time, and the area of S. alterniflora increased only to 101.6 hm². The year 2000 marked an onset of rapid population growth and range expansion and the annual expanding rate reached 25–116%, which exceeded any of the indigenous species and indicated the strong competitive capability, rapid range expansion and wide ecological niche of S. alterniflora.The advent of remote sensing, in conjunction with geographical information systems and global positioning systems, provides a potential tool for mapping vegetation, and for monitoring population dynamics and range expansion of invasive species on a large scale. The implications for population and community dynamics, biodiversity conservation and wetland management in terms of the analysis of the sequence of events associated with the initial colonization, a lag time, rate of geographic spread and features of geographic spread of the exotic S. alterniflora and the native P. australis on the Jiuduansha shoals are discussed.     

Changes in landscape pattern of alpine wetlands on the Zoige Plateau in the past four decades

Based on RS, GIS and Apack software, the indices of landscape pattern such as landscape area index, landscape diversity index and landscape fragmentation index were chosen in order to describe changes in the spatial pattern of alpine wetland landscape on the Zoige Plateau during 1966–2000. Results showed that alpine wetland landscape was characteristic of marsh wetlands, which had the biggest patch number and the largest area. The alpine wetland landscape had higher spatial heterogeneity. The largest area appeared in Zoige County with the highest wetland ratio; comparatively, Aba County and Luqu County had much lower wetland ratio. The total area of alpine wetland landscape decreased rapidly during 1966–1986, but it began to increase after 1986. The wetland landscape area shrank by 59857.83 hm² during 1966–2000. The alpine wetland landscape showed the characteristics of concentrated distribution in the past four decades, with higher convergence and dominance indices. The centroid of wetland landscape moved 12.54 km in the northwest direction firstly, 11.33 km in the southeast direction, and then 1.1 km in the north direction.     

互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征

在江苏盐城互花米草(Spartina alterniflora)盐沼建立以下样地:光滩(Mudflat)、互花米草建群1a(S.alterniflora flat 2011)、5a(S.alterniflora flat 2007)、12a(S.alterniflora flat 2000)、23a(S.alterniflora flat 1989)以及碱蓬(Suaeda salsa flat 1989),采集表层土壤样品,分析土壤中的活性有机碳(可溶性有机碳、微生物量碳)特征,并利用核磁共振波谱法测定土壤总有机碳的结构图谱,研究互花米草盐沼土壤有机碳库组分及结构特征。结果表明:(1)互花米草建群后,盐沼表层土壤有机碳含量显著增加(P0.05),在0.82—7.6 g/kg之间,各样地表层土壤有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(5.57 g/kg)碱蓬滩(2.4 g/kg)光滩(1.05 g/kg);可溶性有机碳含量为:互花米草滩(36.08 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(17.43 mg/kg)光滩(6.92 mg/kg);微生物量碳含量为:互花米草滩(52.51 mg/kg)碱蓬滩(18.27 mg/kg)光滩(13.56 mg/kg)。互花米草建群后,土壤中活性碳库含量显著增加(P0.05)。(2)土壤有机碳结构以烷氧碳和芳香碳为主,其中芳香碳的平均比例(35.85%)最高,其次为烷氧碳(32.83%)和羧基碳(20.62%),烷基碳的平均比例(10.36%)最低,其中建群5a的互花米草样地(SAF2007)土壤芳香碳、烷氧碳、烷基碳含量最高,建群23a的互花米草样地(SAF1989)土壤羧基碳含量最高。(3)互花米草盐沼土壤中烷基碳/烷氧碳为:SAF2007(0.44)SSF1989(0.43)SAF2000(0.28)SAF2011(0.27)SAF1989(0.22);疏水碳/亲水碳为:SAF2007(0.97)SSF1989(0.87)SAF2000(0.85)SAF2011(0.83)SAF1989(0.81)。烷基碳/烷氧碳在建群5a后达到最高值0.44,烷基化程度最高;疏水碳/亲水碳达到最高值0.97,土壤碳库稳定性高于其它样地。     

Impact of landscape patterns on ecological vulnerability and ecosystem service values: An empirical analysis of Yancheng Nature Reserve in China

In this study, an ecological vulnerability assessment indicator system was constructed using the “exposure–climate sensitivity–adaptive capacity” framework according to the theory of ecological vulnerability. An improved ecosystem service value calculation model was proposed based on empirical parameters. Using Yancheng Nature Reserve in China as an example, we employed remote sensing data to conduct an empirical analysis of the changes in the spatiotemporal pattern, ecological vulnerability, and ecosystem services of typical landscape types over the period from 1987 to 2013. The statistical results derived from landscape pattern indices (LPIs) showed that during the investigation period, three natural wetland landscape types (i.e., Spartina alterniflora, Suaeda glauca, and Phragmites australis) showed gradually increased fragmentation in the study area. The ecological vulnerability scores of the major landscape types (in descending order) were P. australis (0.053), farmland (0.047), S. alterniflora (0.042), S. glauca (0.031), and bare mud flat (0.002). The results derived from the ecosystem service value fluctuation index (ESVFI) showed that from 1987 to 1997, the value of the ecosystem services provided by S. glauca and P. australis wetlands decreased, whereas that of S. alterniflora wetlands increased continuously. From 2002 to 2013, the value of the ecosystem services provided by all three types of natural wetland showed a downward trend. In conclusion, the combined effects of human and natural factors, including the expansion of farmland and the invasion of S. alterniflora, and changes in seawater erosion and deposition led to changes in the landscape patterns, ecological vulnerability, and ecosystem services of the Yancheng Nature Reserve during the investigation period. The results indicate that a “dual adaptive” management system based on natural succession and supplemented by appropriate manual intervention should be implemented, and the management efficiency and flexibility should be improved to meet the common needs of biodiversity conservation and economic development.     

闽江河口湿地不同植被带土壤全硅的含量及分布特征

硅是湿地系统元素循环所关注的重要内容之一,土壤全硅的分布特征与湿地土壤-植物系统活跃程度密切相关。于2016年1-12月,以闽江河口鳝鱼滩湿地为研究对象,通过野外原位采样及室内实验分析,对短叶茳芏、短叶茳芏与互花米草交错带、互花米草3种植物类型湿地的土壤全硅含量和储量的变化特征进行观测。结果表明：短叶茳芏、短叶茳芏与互花米草交错带、互花米草湿地土壤全硅的年平均含量依次为197.67、201.21、210.33 mg/g,表现为由陆向海方向逐渐增加的趋势;季节上均呈现秋冬高于春夏的趋势;土壤全硅含量和储量均表现为上部土层（0-30cm）高于下部土层（30-60cm）。经统计分析发现,湿地土壤全硅含量与有机质显著负相关（P < 0.05）,与含水率和pH有极显著正相关关系（P < 0.01）。除短叶茳芏湿地外,其余2种湿地土壤全硅含量与有效硅含量显著负相关（P < 0.05）。研究闽江河口湿地不同植被带土壤全硅含量和储量及其分布特征,旨在揭示湿地土壤全硅水平在不同类型湿地植被生长影响下的变化过程,为本研究区的硅素研究补充关键数据。     

拉萨河源头麦地卡湿地景观格局及功能动态分析

在全球变化的大背景下,如何保护好高原湿地显得非常迫切。为了有效保护拉萨河源头,采用遥感影像解译和模型评估方法,分析拉萨河源头麦地卡湿地的土地利用格局现状特征和服务功能变化,结果表明:麦地卡湿地保护区湿地面积减少5825hm2,湿地面积减少以沼泽湿地为主,草地面积增加5727 hm2,未利用地面积仅增加98.5 hm2;近30年来因气温和地表温度升高明显,暖干化的气候变化趋势导致湿地面积萎缩,天然牧草地面积显著增加;调节服务是麦地卡湿地保护区主要的生态服务功能,占总服务价值的70%,湿地面积尤其是沼泽湿地面积的萎缩是麦地卡湿地保护区生态服务功能减弱的主要原因。     

Climate Drivers of Spartina alterniflora Saltmarsh Production in Georgia,USA

Tidal wetlands are threatened by global changes related not only to sea level rise but also to altered weather patterns. To predict consequences of these changes on coastal communities, it is necessary to understand how temporally varying abiotic conditions drive wetland production. In 2000–2011, we conducted annual surveys of Spartina alterniflora biomass in tidal marshes at nine sites in and around the Altamaha river estuary on the coast of Georgia, USA. End of the year live biomass was assessed in the creekbank and midmarsh zones to estimate annual net primary production (ANPP). River discharge was the most important driver of S. alterniflora ANPP, especially in creekbank vegetation. Increased river discharge reduces water column salinity, and this was most likely the proximate driver of increased production. In the midmarsh zone, the patterns were less distinct, although river discharge was again the best predictor, but maximum temperature had similar predictive ability. In contrast to results from terrestrial grasslands, we found no consistent evidence for a sharply delimited critical period for any climate driver in the tidal marsh, which indicates that plant growth was responsive to abiotic drivers at any time during the growing season. Results were broadly consistent across multiple sites within a geographic region. Our results differ from previous analyses of production in S. alterniflora marshes, which either identified oceanic drivers of S. alterniflora production or were unable to identify any drivers, likely because the low-latitude sites we studied were hotter and more affected by river discharge than those in previous studies.     

Respiratory enzyme activities correlate with anoxia tolerance in salt marsh grasses

Salt marsh communities are known for well-defined species zonation patterns. Lower limits of plant growth are thought to be set by an ability to tolerate anoxic sediments, but the physiological differences between species have not previously been examined. To investigate responses to anoxic sediments, several estuarine species were grown in greenhouse experiments to compare how respiratory processes were affected by flooding. Metabolic characteristics related to respiration and anoxia tolerance were studied in the emergent estuarine species Spartina alterniflora, S. anglica, S. densiflora, S. foliosa, S. alterniflora × S. foliosa hybrids, S. patens, and Distichlis spicata and compared to the inland species maize (Zea mays). All species showed a strong ability to respire anaerobically, indicating flooding tolerance. High intertidal marsh species had significantly higher root aerobic respiration enzyme activities compared to low intertidal species that may suggest lower aerobic demand in low marsh species. Some higher marsh species showed an apparent high sensitivity to sulfide that may be related to high cytochrome c oxidase activities. In contrast, the low marsh species S. alterniflora and S. anglica had lower aerobic respiration enzyme activities and a lower sensitivity to sulfide. Thus differences in aerobic demand and sulfide sensitivity may influence estuarine species zonation.