Spread of Exotic Cordgrasses and Hybrids (Spartina sp.) in the Tidal Marshes of San Francisco Bay, California, USA

Four species of exotic cordgrass (Spartina sp.) occur in the San Francisco estuary in addition to the California native Spartina foliosa. Our goal was to map the location and extent of all non-native Spartina in the estuary. Hybrids of S. alterniflora and S. foliosa are by far the most numerous exotic and are spreading rapidly. Radiating from sites of deliberate introduction, S. alterniflora and hybrids now cover ca. 190 ha, mainly in the South and Central Bay. Estimates of rate of aerial increase range from a constant value to an accelerating rate of increase. This could be due to the proliferation of hybrid clones capable of rapid expansion and having superior seed set and siring abilities. The total coverage of 195 ha by hybrids and other exotic cordgrass species is slightly less than 1% of the Bay's tidal mudflats and marshes. Spartina anglica has not spread beyond its original 1970s introduction site. Spartina densiflora has spread to cover over 5 ha at 3 sites in the Central Bay. Spartina patens has expanded from 2 plants in 1970 to 42 plants at one site in Suisun Bay. Spartina seed floats on the tide, giving it the potential to export this invasion throughout the San Francisco estuary, and to estuaries outside of the Golden Gate. We found isolated plants of S. alterniflora and S. densiflora in outer coast estuaries north of the Bay suggesting the likelihood for the San Francisco Bay populations to found others on the Pacific coast.     

Population structure of the ribbed mussel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Geukensia demissa</Emphasis> in salt marshes in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence,Canada

The ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa, is highly dependent on the cordgrass Spartina alterniflora for amelioration from environmental stress and substrate stabilization. Spartina alterniflora is a foundation species in marshes, and G. demissa is typically associated with cordgrass beds. Marshes in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence are experiencing erosion and degradation, presumably as a result of increases in sea level, which increases salinity exposure and negatively impacts S. alterniflora. The population structure of the ribbed mussel, Geukensia demissa, was studied at nine sites in six estuaries in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence in Nova Scotia, Canada, where marsh degradation is occurring. Mussel length was used as a proxy for age of G. demissa in three salt marsh zones characterized by density and elevation of Spartina alterniflora: (1) a lower zone in which the S. alterniflora was dead, but where the basal mat was coherent, (2) a zone of living, but low density S. alterniflora at the margin of the living marsh, and (3) a zone of dense S. alterniflora one to three meters back from the edge. Mussel length was significantly different across the three zones in seven of the nine sites. Mean length decreased as elevation increased, and small mussels (i.e., 1–3 cm) were absent at seven sites. The smallest mussels occurred in the dense S. alterniflora zone, higher in the marsh. Mussel length in the two western sites did not differ between zones, and small mussels (i.e., 1–3 cm) were present, but rare. The absence of small mussels in seven of the nine sites, and the size frequency distribution at remaining sites, suggests a lack of recent recruitment and a long-term threat to the survival of G. demissa. Salt marsh degradation and the death of S. alterniflora have negatively impacted G. demissa recruitment, and population decline is evident.     

Influence of Mycorrhizal Inoculation, Inundation Period, Salinity, and Phosphorus Availability on the Growth of Two Salt Marsh Grasses, Spartina alterniflora Lois. and Spartina cynosuroides (L.) Roth., in Nursery Systems

Restoration of salt marsh ecosystems is an important concern in the eastern United States to mitigate damage caused by industrial development. Little attention has been directed to the mycorrhizal influence on plantings of salt marsh species to stabilize estuarine sediments and establish cover. In our study, seedlings of two salt marsh grasses, Spartina alterniflora and Spartina cynosuroides, were grown in soil with a commercial, mixed species inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. Plants were grown in experimental “ebb and flow” boxes, simulating three levels of tidal inundation, to which two levels of applied phosphorus (P) and two levels of salinity were imposed. After 2.5 months, S. alterniflora was poorly colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizae, developing only fungal hyphae and no arbuscules, but S. cynosuroides became moderately colonized. Mycorrhizal inoculation marginally improved growth and P and nitrogen (N) content of both plant species at low levels of P supply but significantly increased tillering in both plant species. This factor could be beneficial in enhancing ground cover during restoration procedures. Greater P availability increased the mycorrhizal status of S. cynosuroides and improved P nutrition of both plant species, despite a reduction in the root‐to‐shoot ratio. Increasing salinity reduced mycorrhizal colonization of S. alterniflora but not of S. cynosuroides. Growth and nutrient content of S. alterniflora was improved at higher levels of salinity, but only increased nutrient content in S. cynosuroides. Increased duration of tidal inundation decreased plant growth in both species, but tissue P and N concentrations were highest with the longest time of inundation in both species.     

互花米草入侵对胶州湾河口湿地土壤总铁分布的影响

互花米草是胶州湾滨海湿地典型的入侵物种,为进一步了解互花米草入侵对胶州湾河口湿地土壤总铁含量分布的影响,于2017年3月、5月、7月、9月和11月分别在互花米草湿地和光滩采集土壤样品,并对土壤总铁含量、有机质含量、土壤可溶性盐、pH、含水率、容重和土壤粒度进行测定与分析。结果表明:互花米草入侵显著提高了土壤总铁含量,两样区0—50 cm土层土壤总铁含量差异显著(P0.05),5月和7月互花米草湿地总铁含量在垂直方向上呈先上升后下降趋势;与光滩在同一采样月份相比,互花米草湿地土壤总铁含量增幅分别为25.36%、29.50%、17.52%、30.28%和14.48%。相关性分析表明,互花米草湿地和光滩土壤总铁含量均与有机质含量和可溶性盐呈显著正相关(P0.01);并且光滩土壤总铁含量与含水率呈显著正相关(P0.01),与容重呈显著负相关(P0.01),表明两样区土壤总铁含量受有机质含量和可溶性盐影响较大。     

Utilization of a citizen monitoring protocol to assess the structure and function of natural and stabilized fringing salt marshes in North Carolina

Narrow fringing salt marshes dominated by Spartina alterniflora occur naturally along estuarine shorelines and provide many of the same ecological functions as more extensive marshes. These fringing salt marshes are sometimes incorporated into shoreline stabilization efforts. We obtained data on elevation, salinity, sediment characteristics, vegetation and fish utilization at three study sites containing both natural fringing marshes and nearby restored marshes located landward of a stone sill constructed for shoreline stabilization. During the study, sediment accretion rates in the restored marshes were approximately 1.5- to 2-fold greater than those recorded in the natural marshes. Natural fringing marsh sediments were predominantly sandy with a mean organic matter content ranging between 1.5 and 6.0%. Average S. alterniflora stem density in natural marshes ranged between 130 and 222 stems m⁻², while mean maximum stem height exceeded 64 cm. After 3 years, one of the three restored marshes (NCMM) achieved S. alterniflora stem densities equivalent to that of the natural fringing marshes, while percentage cover and maximum stem heights were significantly greater in the natural than in the restored marshes at all sites. There was no significant difference in the mean number of fish, crabs or shrimp captured with fyke nets between the natural and restored marshes, and only the abundance of Palaemonetes vulgaris (grass shrimp) was significantly greater in the natural marshes than in the restored ones. Mean numbers of fish caught per 5 m of marsh front were similar to those reported in the literature from marshes adjacent to tidal creeks and channels, and ranged between 509 and 634 fish net⁻¹. Most of the field data and some of the sample analyses were obtained by volunteers as they contributed 223 h of the total 300 h spent collecting data from three sites in one season. The use of fyke nets required twice as many man-hours as any other single task. Vegetation and sediment parameters were sensitive indicators of marsh restoration success, and volunteers were capable of contributing a significant portion of the labor needed to collect these parameters. The U.S. Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license in and to any copyright is acknowledged.     

Oligochaeta in Spartina stems: the microdistribution of Enchytraeidae and Tubificidae in a salt marsh,Sapelo Island,USA

The distribution and abundance of Enchytraeidae and Tubificidae in and around Spartina alterniflora plants in a tidal salt marsh on Sapelo Island, Georgia, USA were studied using two different sampling techniques: wet funnel extraction and stem dissection. At least 80% of all worms inhabited leaf sheaths at the bases of S. alterniflora plants, and densities were low in sediment, root and surface debris samples. Oligochaete densities were dependent on the position within the marsh, the height on stems and the stage of sheath decay. Six predominant species were identified and included Marionina appendiculata, Marionina spartinae, Marionina waltersi, Marionina paludis, and Monopylephorus parvus. Individual species were distributed differently on stems and enchytraeids were more common than tubificids on standing-dead and further up S. alterniflora stems. Estimates of oligochaete densities in salt marsh habitats are increased dramatically when the numbers of worms on stems are considered. Possible advantages of the stem microhabitat are discussed in relation to the biology and ecology of oligochaetes.     

Ecological processes shaping Central Patagonian salt marsh landscapes

Plant zonation is one of the most conspicuous ecological features of salt marshes worldwide. In this work we used a combination of field transplant and greenhouse experiments to evaluate the importance of interspecific interactions and physical stress in the determination of the major plant zonation patterns in Central Patagonian salt marshes. There, Spartina alterniflora dominates the low marsh, and Sarcocornia perennis the high marsh. We addressed two questions: (i) What prevents Spartina alterniflora from colonizing the Sarcocornia perennis‐dominated high marsh zone? and (ii) What prevents Sarcocornia perennis from colonizing the Spartina alterniflora‐dominated low marsh zone? Our experimental transplants combined with neighbour exclusion treatments showed that the presence of Sarcocornia perennis negatively affects Spartina alterniflora, preventing it from surviving and/or spreading. Complementary field transplant and greenhouse experiments showed that Sarcocornia perennis did not survive the frequent tidal submersion by approximately 1.5 m of turbid seawater in the Spartina alterniflora zone, but its survival was independent of the presence of Spartina neighbours, and of the strong soil anoxia as well. Our results suggest that Spartina alterniflora is excluded by Sarcocornia perennis towards the low marsh, where frequent and prolonged submersion limit the survival of the latter. We provide and discuss key baseline information to facilitate the future design of ecophysiological experiments designed to accurately identify the exact mechanisms acting in every situation.     

Ecological responses to tidal restorations of two northern New England salt marshes

Efforts are underway to restore tidal flow in New England salt marshes that were negatively impacted by tidal restrictions. We evaluated a planned tidal restoration at Mill Brook Marsh (New Hampshire) and at Drakes Island Marsh (Maine) where partial tidal restoration inadvertently occurred. Salt marsh functions were evaluated in both marshes to determine the impacts from tidal restriction and the responses following restoration. Physical and biological indicators of salt marsh functions (tidal range, surface elevations, soil water levels and salinities, plant cover, and fish use) were measured and compared to those from nonimpounded reference sites. Common impacts from tidal restrictions at both sites were: loss of tidal flooding, declines in surface elevation, reduced soil salinity, replacement of salt marsh vegetation by fresh and brackish plants, and loss of fish use of the marsh.Water levels, soil salinities and fish use increased immediately following tidal restoration. Salt-intolerant vegetation was killed within months. After two years, mildly salt-tolerant vegetation had been largely replaced in Mill Brook Marsh by several species characteristic of both high and low salt marshes. Eight years after the unplanned, partial tidal restoration at Drakes Island Marsh, the vegetation was dominated bySpartina alterniflora, a characteristic species of low marsh habitat.Hydrologic restoration that allowed for unrestricted saltwater exchange at Mill Brook restored salt marsh functions relatively quickly in comparison to the partial tidal restoration at Drakes Island, where full tidal exchange was not achieved. The irregular tidal regime at Drakes Island resulted in vegetation cover and patterns dissimilar to those of the high marsh used as a reference. The proper hydrologic regime (flooding height, duration and frequency) is essential to promote the rapid recovery of salt marsh functions. We predict that functional recovery will be relatively quick at Mill Brook, but believe that the habitat at Drakes Island will not become equivalent to that of the reference marsh unless the hydrology is further modified.Corresponding Editor: R.E. Turner Manuseript     

综合物理防控技术对盐城大丰港互花米草的控制效果

互花米草是我国沿海滩涂典型外来入侵物种之一,该物种在江苏盐城大丰港形成了大面积入侵种群。在大丰港设置了刈割+遮荫和单纯刈割样方共9个,对比分析了不同防控技术以及不同遮荫持续时间对互花米草地上部分和地下根茎的影响,评估遮荫去除后互花米草生长状况、土壤氮磷含量、底栖动物生物量和密度的变化,以探索适合的控制技术和有效控制时间。结果表明：两种控制技术都极显著降低了互花米草地上部分株高、基径、密度和地上鲜重（P<0.01）,对已刈割的互花米草遮荫3个月、6个月、9个月和12个月后依次去除遮荫网,互花米草地上部分均全部消失,直至第二个生长季均未重新长出幼苗;两种控制技术显著降低了互花米草地下根茎存活率（P<0.05）,但控制技术之间和遮荫时间长短对根茎存活率的影响无显著差异;去除遮荫网后,底栖动物生物量显著增加（P<0.05）,但土壤氮磷含量无显著变化。研究发现在江苏盐城大丰港实施刈割+遮荫3个月后去除遮荫网,是治理互花米草、恢复本土动植物最高效的防控方法。     

胶州湾典型河口湿地土壤活性有机碳和酶活性对互花米草入侵的响应

以胶州湾洋河口湿地为研究对象,按照互花米草入侵年份(0、1、5、8年)分层采集土壤样品(0—10、10—20、20—40 cm和40—60 cm),研究土壤活性有机碳(LOC)和酶(脲酶、过氧化氢酶、碱性磷酸酶、蔗糖酶)活性的变化,分析土壤活性有机碳和酶活性及两者相关性对互花米草入侵的响应。结果表明:与光滩相比,互花米草入侵增加了表层土壤LOC含量,且随着入侵时间的延长显著增加(P0.05)。同时也改变了土壤LOC垂直分布规律,除光滩和入侵1年样地表现出沿剖面逐渐上升之外,其他样地表现为沿剖面先上升后下降趋势;互花米草入侵提高了河口湿地土壤酶活性,但并未改变酶活性随深度增加而逐渐降低的分布规律。随着入侵时间的延长4种酶活性变化趋势有所差异,过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶活性变化趋势一致,表现为随入侵时间延长先急剧增加后逐渐减少,而碱性磷酸酶和脲酶活性随着入侵时间的延长逐渐增加。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,土壤LOC和酶活性呈显著负相关且互花米草入侵时间越长两者间相关性越低,8年后无显著相关性。