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The interactive effects of created salt marsh substrate type, hydrology, and nutrient regime on Spartina alterniflora and Avicennia germinans productivity and soil development

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Abstract

Recent salt marsh and barrier island restoration efforts in the northern Gulf of Mexico have focused on optimizing self-sustaining attributes of restored marshes to provide maximum habitat value and storm protection to vulnerable coastal communities. Salt marshes in this region are dominated by Spartina alterniflora and Avicennia germinans, two species that are valued for their ability to stabilize soils in intertidal salt marshes. We conducted a controlled greenhouse study to investigate the influences of substrate type, nutrient level, and marsh elevation on the growth and biomass allocation of S. alterniflora and A. germinans, and the consequent effects on soil development and stability. S. alterniflora exhibited optimal growth and survival at the lowest elevation (− 15 cm below the water surface) and was sensitive to high soil salinities at higher elevations (+ 15 cm above the water surface). A. germinans performed best at intermediate elevations but was negatively affected by prolonged inundation at lower elevations. We found that although there was not a strong effect of substrate type on plant growth, the development of stressful conditions due to the use of suboptimal materials would likely be exacerbated by placing the soil at extreme elevations. Soil shear strength was significantly higher in experimental units containing either S. alterniflora or A. germinans compared to unvegetated soils, suggesting that plants effectively contribute to soil strength in newly placed soils of restored marshes. As marsh vegetation plays a critical role in stabilizing shorelines, salt marsh restoration efforts in the northern Gulf of Mexico and other storm impacted coasts should be designed at optimal elevations to facilitate the establishment and growth of key marsh species.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for this study was provided by the Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program (Louisiana CPRA Contract No. 2514-14-03), the Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority/Louisiana SeaGrant Coastal Science Assistantship Program, Coastal Plant Ecology Lab at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Graduate Student Association, and the Ecology Center at University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

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  1. Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70503, USA

    Laura C. Feher & Mark W. Hester

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  1. Laura C. Feher
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  2. Mark W. Hester
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Correspondence to Laura C. Feher.

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Feher, L.C., Hester, M.W. The interactive effects of created salt marsh substrate type, hydrology, and nutrient regime on Spartina alterniflora and Avicennia germinans productivity and soil development. Wetlands Ecol Manage 26, 715–728 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-018-9603-1

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