黄河三角洲新生湿地净初级生产力时空变化

以黄河三角洲新生湿地为研究区,结合野外调查和遥感影像数据,利用CASA(Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach,CASA)模型对近20年新生湿地植被净初级生产力(net primary production,NPP)时空变化特征及其主要影响因素进行研究。结果表明:研究区植被NPP实测值与估算值显著相关(P0.001),相对误差介于-21.96～8.16;研究区植被NPP呈现由海向陆递增,由河流沿岸向外围递减趋势; 1998—2016年研究区植被NPP均值、总量整体呈下降趋势,植被NPP均值变化较小,但植被NPP总量变化明显,1998年植被NPP总量最大,2010年植被NPP总量最小;研究区四季植被NPP变化明显,春季植被NPP均值为74.25 g C·m~(-2),夏季为101.58 g C·m~(-2),秋季为41.83 g C·m~(-2),冬季为13.10 g C·m~(-2);研究区不同植被NPP估算值差异显著,各类植被NPP均值估算结果大小为刺槐群落芦苇柳树群落农作物芦苇荻白茅群落芦苇柽柳群落柽柳群落碱蓬群落大米草互花米草群落柽柳碱蓬白茅群落;研究区植被NPP与土壤可溶性盐相关系数为-0.389(P0.01),合理的"调水控盐"模式可以降低土壤盐度,促进植被有机物积累。     

青海省植被光能利用率模拟研究

借鉴了MODIS-PSN、CASA、GLO-PEM、VPM等光能利用率NPP模型的优点,同时充分考虑了研究区域其植被光能利用率和环境因素的典型特点。根据研究区域相关文献资料和NPP实测数据,模拟出主要植被类型的最大光能利用率。同时,特别细化了草地和灌丛最大光能利用率的估算步骤。采用蒸散比算法和陆地生态模型(TEM),根据Liebig定律,计算了对最大光能利用率产生影响的环境综合胁迫因子。估算了青海省主要植被类型的光能利用率,并详细分析了其空间分布和季相变化特征。结果表明:2006年青海省植被平均光能利用率介于0.026-0.403gC/MJ之间,平均值为0.096gC/MJ。青海省植被光能利用率的分布具有明显的地带性,呈由西北向东南逐渐递增的趋势。其随季节的推移变化比较明显,2006年植被月平均光能利用率在0.057-0.157gC/MJ之间,峰值出现在7月份,主要的光能利用率累积发生在5-9月份。     

天祝高寒珠芽蓼草甸初级生产力的研究Ⅰ.生物量动态及光能转化率

甘肃天祝高寒珠芽蓼草甸5月20日左右返青。地上生物量的变化呈单峰曲线,最大值在8月22日,干物质为548.39g/m~2(489.06g/m~2去灰分物质;下同);净第一性生产力为481.05g/m~2.a干物质。地下生物量很大,6—9月平均接近6kg/m~2,呈单谷曲线变化,最低值出现在7月20日,为4556.87g/m~2干物质。地上部分最大生长率出现在月平均气温只有8—10℃的返青后一个月,平均绝对生长率为5.89g/m~2.d干物质,平均相对生长率为0.152g/g.d干物质。春季地上部分的最大生长率与活根的很大消耗联系在一起。地上部分对太阳总辐射的转化率为0.155%,对生理辐射的转化率为0.316%,对≥0℃—≤0℃生长期的生理辐射的转化率为0.692%。地上部分在生长的第一个月对总辐射的表观转化率最高,平均为0.57%。     

基于改进的CASA模型模拟锡林郭勒草原植被净初级生产力

本研究在原来CASA模型的基础上,对模型参数最大光能利用率和水分胁迫系数的算法进行了改进,利用改进后的CASA模型模拟了2010年内蒙古锡林郭勒盟草原植被净初级生产力(NPP),并用地面实测样方数据对改进后的模型进行精度验证。结果表明:改进的CASA模型可应用于内蒙古草原小尺度植被NPP的估测,模拟NPP值与地面实测值之间的相关性达到显著水平(R2=0.829,P0.05);2010年内蒙古锡林郭勒盟草原植被生长季(4—10月)NPP为284.64 g C·m-2·a-1,不同地区年均NPP相差较大,东北部东乌珠穆沁旗草原NPP高达411.11 g C·m-2·a-1,而西北部的二连浩特市草原NPP仅为158.87 g C·m-2·a-1;整体上,锡林郭勒盟草原的NPP由东向西逐步递减,这与该区域水热条件限制基本一致;由于降水量的时滞效应,该年度内NPP出现两次峰值;2010年锡林郭勒境内草原NPP集中分布在250~350 g C·m-2·a-1,草甸草原的NPP最大,典型草原次之,荒漠草原最小。     

安徽省植被净初级生产力估算——基于改进的CASA模型

定量估算植被净初级生产力(NPP)对预测陆地碳循环趋势具有重要意义,目前广泛应用于NPP估算的CASA模型其精度仍有待提高。在已有CASA模型优化的基础上,考虑最大光能利用率(LUE_max)的动态变化来改进CASA模型,对改进前后的模拟结果进行比较,并利用改进后的模型估算2001—2020年安徽省植被NPP。结论如下：(1)改进的CASA模型可应用于研究区的植被NPP估算,NPP模拟值与实测值之间的相关性达到显著水平(R²=0.736,P<0.01)。(2)改进后模拟的安徽省植被NPP在空间表达上能够呈现更多细节,时间上较改进前在生长季NPP值更高,非生长季值更低,拉大了NPP的年内变化。(3)2001—2020年安徽省植被NPP整体呈波动上升趋势,多年平均值为547.61 gC m^-2 a^-1,年均增长量达2.18 gC m^-2 a^-1,2016—2020年间NPP增长最快。年内NPP具有明显的季节差异,表现为夏季>秋季>春季>冬...     

中国潜在植被NPP的空间分布模拟

在对1980年以来气候要素进行空间化的基础上,利用分类回归树模型CART计算中国的潜在归一化植被指数(NDVI),采用改进的光能利用率模型(CASA)和潜在NDVI数据对中国的潜在植被净初级生产力(NPP)进行模拟。结果表明:中国潜在NDVI和潜在NPP均呈现出南高北低、东高西低的格局,低值多分布在沙漠、戈壁等干旱地带,高值多出现在低、中山平原区;400 mm等降水量线是潜在NDVI和潜在NPP高值与低值的分界线;全国潜在NDVI和潜在NPP的平均值分别为0.396和319.31 g C·m-2;夏季潜在NPP的平均值最大,其次是春季,冬季最小;依据潜在NPP与2015年现实NPP的差异,可将中国植被恢复区划分为西部高潜力区、北部低潜力区和南部非潜力区3部分;潜在NDVI和潜在NPP的空间模拟可以将人类活动对自然生态系统的直接影响与气候变化的影响分离,量化了外界压力下真实的生态状况和潜在生态状况的差异,为制定差别化的生态恢复对策提供了科学依据。     

松嫩平原旱生芦苇群落土壤呼吸动态及影响因子

为研究松嫩平原旱生芦苇群落土壤呼吸作用的动态变化及其影响因子,于2011年5—10月采用LI-6400土壤呼吸监测系统对旱生芦苇群落土壤呼吸进行连续野外观测,并分析水热因子对土壤呼吸的影响。结果表明:芦苇群落土壤呼吸具有明显的日变化和季节变化特征;其日变化为明显的单峰曲线,土壤呼吸速率峰值出现在中午11:00—13:00;7和8月芦苇群落土壤呼吸作用最强,10月土壤呼吸作用最弱。影响旱生芦苇群落土壤呼吸的主导因子是温度,土壤呼吸与近地表空气温度以及土壤0～10、10～20、20～30cm温度均有显著相关性(P<0.01),而近地表空气温度和土壤表层温度对土壤呼吸的影响最大。在5—10月芦苇群落土壤呼吸温度敏感性Q10值为1.2～1.65,变异系数为15.4%。土壤含水量和近地表空气相对湿度不是影响该地区芦苇群落土壤呼吸的主要因素。     

基于MODIS数据的松嫩平原西部芦苇湿地地上生物量遥感估算

芦苇作为湿地生态系统中重要的群落类型,其地上生物量是衡量湿地生态系统质量的关键指标。应用面向对象的土地覆盖分类技术,基于多季相Landsat8 OLI遥感数据,提取松嫩平原西部芦苇湿地分布信息;依托野外实测芦苇地上生物量数据(AGB)和同期MODIS数据源的NDVI、EVI、RVI、MSAVI和WDVI 5种光谱植被指数,探讨不同光谱植被指数对芦苇AGB的敏感性,进而构建松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB遥感估算最优模型,并进行芦苇AGB遥感反演及空间格局分析。结果表明:2014年松嫩平原西部地区芦苇总面积为1653 km~2,其中扎龙湿地自然保护区内芦苇分布面积最大(1178km~2),占区域芦苇总面积的71.3%;所选取的5种植被指数均与芦苇AGB呈极显著正相关(P0.01),基于EVI构建的指数曲线模型为松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB反演的最优模型(R2=0.55)。研究区芦苇平均AGB为372.1g/m~2,AGB总量为6.14×105t,其中扎龙湿地自然保护区内芦苇AGB总量为4.38×105t;各保护区芦苇平均AGB由大到小依次为:向海保护区(469.7 g/m~2)大布苏保护区(454.1 g/m~2)莫莫格保护区(373.0 g/m~2)扎龙保护区(372.4 g/m~2)查干湖保护区(369.8 g/m~2);松嫩平原西部芦苇AGB总体呈现南高北低的分布格局,将为湿地生态系统管理与保护及芦苇资源的合理利用提供科学依据。     

北京永定河沿河沙地杨树人工林光能利用效率

光能利用效率(LUE)是影响生态系统生产力大小和质量的主要因素。以位于北京市大兴区永定河沿河沙地的杨树(欧美107/108,Populus euramericana cv.)人工林生态系统作为研究对象,依托涡度相关观测系统,对该生态系统的LUE进行研究,从而确定LUE在不同时间尺度上的影响因子,并确定最大光能利用利用效率(LUEmax)。结果表明:LUE存在明显的季节变化趋势,4月份生长季开始后LUE迅速升高,到7—8月达到最大,而后逐渐降低;在生长季不同阶段,LUE日动态的影响因子不同:4月份气温(Ta)、蒸散比(EF)和饱和水汽压差(VPD)是影响LUE日动态的主要因子,7、8月份光合有效辐射(PAR)和冠层导度(gc)是主要影响因子,5—6月与9—10月LUE日动态则与土壤水分(VWC)有较大关系;而LUE月动态则与月蒸散比(EFm)和月平均土壤温度(Tsm)有关。由于该人工林各月光能利用最适宜环境条件不同,各月LUEmax也各有差异,该生态系统年LUEmax为0.44 g C/MJ PAR,7、8月LUEmax最大,分别为0.66和0.69 g C/MJ PAR。研究结果表明,在利用光能利用模型进行区域乃至全球初级生产力估算时需要根据研究的不同时间尺度确定LUEmax。     

中国陆地植被净初级生产力估算模型优化与分析——基于中国生态系统研究网络数据

该研究基于中国生态系统研究网络(CERN)数据对传统CASA模型进行优化,对比两叶模型与优化CASA模型在站点尺度和像元尺度对于8个典型生态站点的植被净初级生产力(NPP)估算精度,选择在像元尺度表现更好的优化CASA模型,结合中国土地覆被数据(ChinaCover)开展2000—2019年中国陆地植被NPP监测与分析。研究结果表明：(1)基于FY2D PAR的优化方案能够有效避免空间插值导致的不确定性问题,显著提高了PAR估算精度;(2)在站点尺度上,两叶模型用于估算典型森林、草地生态系统的NPP表现更好,而在像元尺度上优化CASA模型估算精度更高;(3)在全国尺度上,优化了最大光能利用率、水分胁迫系数以及光合有效辐射计算方法的CASA模型能够较好地模拟中国陆地植被NPP,近20年中国陆地植被NPP变化范围为2.703—2.882 PgC/a,在空间上呈西北低东南高的格局,在时间上呈现波动中缓慢增加的趋势。     

辽河三角洲河口芦苇沼泽湿地植被固碳潜力

增加陆地生态系统碳汇是一种有效应对CO2浓度升高的措施。河口湿地是一类特殊的陆地生态系统,是生产力最高的生态系统之一。研究河口湿地的固碳潜力对准确评估河口湿地碳汇、发挥和提高湿地固碳功能具有重要意义。通过野外调查和数值模型,量化研究了辽河三角洲河口沼泽湿地的植被固碳潜力。根据区域的实际情况,将植被的固碳潜力分为湿地演替、人工灌溉苇田和气候变化的潜力。研究结果表明辽河三角洲河口沼泽湿地植被具有很高的固碳潜力,翅碱蓬(Suaeda pterantha)群落扩张每年可递增固碳潜力0.053—0.07Gg C,滩涂转变为芦苇(Phragmites australis)沼泽每年可递增固碳潜力0.07Gg C,芦苇、獐毛草甸(Aeluropus sinensis)演替为芦苇沼泽的固碳潜力为17.2 Gg C/a,通过灌溉管理措施,芦苇沼泽的固碳潜力为474.6—544.6 Gg C/a。根据未来气候变化情景和预测结果,到2030年、2050年、2100年,芦苇沼泽湿地的固碳潜力分别为576.9—655.1Gg C/a,603.3—684.1Gg C/a,680.9—769.4Gg C/a,其中由人工灌溉苇田的潜力最大。     

1982-2009年东北多年冻土区植被净初级生产力动态及其对全球变化的响应

东北多年冻土区作为高纬度寒区之一,对全球变化较敏感.本文基于AVHRR和MODIS两种遥感数据源的归一化植被指数,应用CASA模型对1982-2009年东北多年冻土区植被净初级生产力（NPP）进行模拟.结果表明： 1982-2009年,东北多年冻土区年均气温、年太阳辐射总量和年日照时数显著上升,年降水量显著下降,CO₂浓度及其年增长率显著增大;植被年NPP呈显著的先增加后降低趋势,变化分异节点在1998年.研究期间,东北多年冻土区植被年均NPP总量为623 g C·m^-2,植被年NPP空间分布差异明显.降水是该区生长季植被生长的主要影响因子,植被NPP对气候变化响应的空间异质性明显.土地利用变化通过改变土地覆被状况使植被NPP发生变化,影响了植被NPP的时空分布特征.植被NPP与CO₂浓度呈显著正相关.多年冻土退化对植被NPP的影响随着各区域环境的不同而有所差异.多年冻土区植被NPP与年均地温呈显著正相关,与年最大冻土深度呈负相关.     

1982-2009年东北多年冻土区植被净初级生产力动态及其对全球变化的响应

东北多年冻土区作为高纬度寒区之一,对全球变化较敏感.本文基于AVHRR和MODIS两种遥感数据源的归一化植被指数,应用CASA模型对1982-2009年东北多年冻土区植被净初级生产力(NPP)进行模拟.结果表明:1982-2009年,东北多年冻土区年均气温、年太阳辐射总量和年日照时数显著上升,年降水量显著下降,CO2浓度及其年增长率显著增大;植被年NPP呈显著的先增加后降低趋势,变化分异节点在1998年.研究期间,东北多年冻土区植被年均NPP总量为623 g C·m-2,植被年NPP空间分布差异明显.降水是该区生长季植被生长的主要影响因子,植被NPP对气候变化响应的空间异质性明显.土地利用变化通过改变土地覆被状况使植被NPP发生变化,影响了植被NPP的时空分布特征,植被NPP与CO2浓度呈显著正相关.多年冻土退化对植被NPP的影响随着各区域环境的不同而有所差异.多年冻土区植被NPP与年均地温呈显著正相关,与年最大冻土深度呈负相关.     

A Paleoecological Assessment of Phragmites australis in New England Tidal Marshes: Changes in Plant Community Structure During the Last Few Millennia

Although Phragmites has been an upper border tidal marsh species for thousands of years, it is only recently (within the last century or so) that the distribution of this plant within the coastal marsh community has become prominent. Prior to approximately 100 years ago, Phragmites was an upper border/brackish marsh co-dominant in many marsh systems. Occurrence of this species varied between associations of sedges, Typha, forbs and a variety of woody shrubs. Paleoreconstructions rarely show the presence of a Phragmites monoculture or early associations with salt marsh species. However, since the turn of this century (and perhaps as early as the middle of the last century) the distribution of Phragmites has changed substantially. Today, this plant often forms dense monocultures and is commonly found in association with Spartina grasses. The results of this paleoecological investigation show that the changes that have been observed in Phragmites communities during the last 100 years are not part of the long-term cycle of development in these systems and are new to the landscape.     

Modification of Sediments and Macrofauna by an Invasive Marsh Plant

Invasive grasses have recently altered salt marsh ecosystems throughout the northern hemisphere. On the eastern seaboard of the USA, Phragmites australis has invaded both brackish and salt marsh habitats. Phragmites australis influence on sediments and fauna was investigated along a salinity and invasion-age gradient in marshes of the lower Connecticut River estuary. Typical salinities were about 19–24 ppt in Site I, 9–10 ppt in Site II and 5–7 ppt in Site III. Strongest effects were evident in the least saline settings (II and III) where Phragmites has been present the longest and exists in monoculture. Limited influence was evident in the most saline region (I) where Phragmites and native salt marsh plants co-occur. The vegetation within Phragmites stands in tidal regions of the Connecticut River generally exhibits taller, but less dense shoots, higher above-ground biomass, and lower below-ground biomass than does the un-invaded marsh flora. There were lower sediment organic content, greater litter accumulation and higher sediment chlorophyll a concentrations in Phragmites- invaded than un-invaded marsh habitat. Epifaunal gastropods (Succinea wilsoni and Stagnicola catascopium) were less abundant in habitats where Phragmites had invaded than in un-invaded marsh habitat. Macro-infaunal densities were lower in the Phragmites-invaded than un-invaded habitats at the two least saline sites (II and III). Phragmites stands supported more podurid insects, sabellid polychaetes, and peracarid crustaceans, fewer arachnids, midges, tubificid and enchytraeid oligochaetes, and greater habitat-wide taxon richness as measured by rarefaction, than did the un-invaded stands. The magnitude and significance of the compositional differences varied with season and with site; differences were generally greatest at the oldest, least saline sites (II and III) and during May, when faunal densities were higher than in September. However, experimental design and the 1-year study period precluded clear separation of salinity, age, and seasonal effects. Although structural effects of Phragmites on salt marsh faunas are evident, further investigation is required to determine the consequences of these effects for ecosystem function. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Exotic Spartina alterniflora provides compatible habitats for native estuarine crab Sesarma dehaani in the Yangtze River estuary

Although the impact of plant invasions on benthic communities, especially burrowing crabs, has received increasing attention, the results from past studies are mixed. The exotic plant Spartina alterniflora has become the most abundant species in the salt marshes of the Yangtze River estuary since it was first found just over a decade ago, but its effects on crabs in the salt marshes is largely unknown. To examine whether the invasions of this exotic plant affected native crabs, we compared the biomass and abundance of the dominant burrowing crab Sesarma dehaani in an exotic Spartina marsh, native Phragmites australis marsh and mudflats of the Yangtze River estuary, China. To explain the differences of S. dehaani populations between different habitats, feeding preference of S. dehaani for Spartina and Phragmites was investigated. Results showed crab abundance and biomass in the Spartina marsh were significantly greater than those in the Phragmites marsh and mudflats. Soil water content and plant community characteristics in the Spartina marsh also significantly differed in the Phragmites marsh and mudflats. Moreover, the feeding preference experiment showed that crabs consumed Spartina more than twice as much as Phragmites. In summary, this study showed that Spartina provided compatible habitats for native crab S. dehaani through offering suitable food source and moderate environmental conditions.     

Response of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phragmites</Emphasis> to environmental parameters associated with treatments

This multi-year study evaluated the response of invasive Phragmites australis to changes in pore water geochemistry associated with tidal enhancement, alone or in combination with other prescribed management regimes used by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. A pilot study was conducted prior to the treatment experiment that showed a negative correlation between the growth of Phragmites and cation concentrations in a transitional vegetation zone. In the targeted 535-acre brackish-water impoundment (East Pool) where Phragmites dominated, the soil water chemistry was changed by introducing tidal salt water through water control structures in June of 1999. Soil profiles, pH, salinity and cation concentration data in addition to Phragmites height and density data were collected both before and after the treatments were imposed, where possible. It was generally observed that a soil water salinity above ∼28 would be needed to maintain the reduction of Phragmites and to support its replacement by salt marsh species. In the tidal water manipulated experimental macroplots, the soil water salinity changed from 7.1 to 32 on average between 1999 and 2001. The reduction of the average height of Phragmites ranged from 25% to 84% for different treatment combinations, while untreated sites exhibited a slight increases in height. The reduction in average live density ranged from 51% to 87% for different treatment combinations. The greatest reduction of Phragmites density and height resulted when tidal enhancement was followed by a prescribed burn in the winter. Also, significant negative correlations were observed between Phragmites height and the main cations associated with tidal salt water including Mg²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ and to a lesser extent Ca²⁺. pH did not change drastically with the introduction of tidal water over the period of 1999–2001 and did not appear to play a significant role in changing the growth of Phragmites. A reduction of soil adhesiveness associated with the decay of Phragmites roots was observed after a two month period in 2001 when plants were submerged in standing water. This points to the need to maintain tidal exchange to promote a gradual transition from a Phragmites-dominated system to a Spartina-dominated system. Towards the end of the growing season in 2001, Spartina patens and Distichlis spicata had begun to ramify into the center of the island patches.     

Dominant environmental factors in wetland plant communities invaded by Phragmites australis in East Harbor, Ohio, USA

Elevation, standing crop, disturbance and soil fertility often emerge from studies of freshwater plant communities as the dominant environmental factors determining both species richness and species composition. Few studies in North America have investigated the relationship between these factors and species abundance (standing crop) and species composition in the context of invasion by Phragmites australis. This study explores the influence of key abiotic and biotic variables on species abundance and composition across three Lake Erie wetlands differing in hydrology and Phragmites abundance in East Harbor, Ohio, USA. Standing crop for 92 species was related to standard sediment analyses, wave exposure, distance to shoreline, elevation, light interference, species density, and Phragmites standing crop in each of 95 1 × 1 m quadrats by using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Elevation (Axis I) and Phragmites standing␣crop-soil fertility (Axis II) explained 35.7 and 26.2%, respectively, of the variation in the species–environment relationships. Wave exposure was not a primary component of the first four canonical axes. Axis I was instrumental in describing species composition, separating wet meadow species from marsh species. Axis II was inversely related to species density for both wet meadow and marsh species. These findings generally support prevailing models describing the distribution of wetland plants along environmental gradients. Two discrepancies were noted, however: (1) species density was highest in the most sheltered sites and (2) wave exposure was directly associated with Phragmites standing crop-soil fertility gradient. The structural integrity of Phragmites stems, topographic heterogeneity and differential responses to anthropogenic disturbance may contribute to departure from prevailing multivariate models. This information has direct implications for local and regional wetland managers.     

Bioturbation of Burrowing Crabs Promotes Sediment Turnover and Carbon and Nitrogen Movements in an Estuarine Salt Marsh

Ecological functions of bioturbation in ecosystems have received increasing attention over the recent decades, and crab burrowing has been considered as one of the major bioturbations affecting the physical and chemical processes in salt marshes. This study assessed the integrated effects of crab excavating and burrow mimic trapping on sediment turnover and vertical C and N distributions in a Chinese salt marsh in the Yangtze River estuary. Crab burrowing increased soil water content and the turnover of carbon and nitrogen and decreased bulk soil density. Vertical movement of materials, nutrient cycling and reuse driven by crab burrowing might be obstructed by vegetation (Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora communities). The amount of soil excavated by crab burrowing was higher than that deposited into burrow mimics. In Phragmites marshes, Spartina marshes and unvegetated mudflats, net transport of soil to the marsh surface was 171.73, 109.54, and 374.95 g m⁻² d⁻¹, respectively; and the corresponding estimated soil turnover time was 2.89, 4.07 and 1.83 years, respectively. Crab burrowing in salt marshes can mix surface and deeper soil over a period of years, accelerating litter decomposition and promoting the efficient reuse of nutrients by plants. Therefore, bioturbation affects soil physical processes and functioning of ecosystems, and needs to be addressed in ecosystem management.     

Evaluation of Long‐Term Response of Intertidal Creek Nekton to Phragmites australis (Common Reed) Removal in Oligohaline Delaware Bay Salt Marshes

In the oligohaline Alloway Creek watershed of the upper Delaware Bay, invasive Phragmites australis (Common reed; hereafter Phragmites) has been removed in an attempt to restore tidal marshes to pre‐invasion form and function. In order to determine the effects of Phragmites on nekton use of intertidal creeks and to evaluate the success of this restoration, intertidal creek nekton assemblages were sampled with weirs from May to November for 7 years (1999‐2005) in three marsh types: natural Spartina alterniflora (Smooth cordgrass; hereafter Spartina), sites treated for Phragmites removal (hereafter referred to as Treated), and invasive Phragmites marshes. Replicate intertidal creek collections in all three marsh types consisted primarily of resident nekton and were dominated by a relatively low number of ubiquitous intertidal species. The Treated marsh nekton assemblage was distinguished by greater abundances of most nekton, especially Fundulus heteroclitus (Mummichog). Phragmites had little impact on nekton use of intertidal creeks over this period as evidenced by similar nekton assemblages in the Spartina and Phragmites marshes for most years. Long‐term assemblage‐level analyses and nekton abundances indicated that the Treated marsh provided enhanced conditions for intertidal creek nekton. The response of intertidal creek nekton suggests that the stage of the restoration may influence the results of comparisons between the marsh types and should be considered when evaluating marsh restorations.