Abstract
Vegetation and soil within estuarine ecosystems play an integral role in ecological processes within pocket estuaries. However, physical barriers, caused by culverts diminish hydrological inputs, sediment exchange, and habitat connectivity. The restoration of estuaries by bridge replacement reconnects the aquatic corridor, however, the recovery of plant communities and soil substrate is not well understood. This observational study monitored four estuary restoration sites of variable ages (0 - 12 years) in Western Washington, USA. Plant community composition, soil organic carbon, organic matter, and soil nutrients were assessed. Percent soil carbon was different among the pre-restoration and youngest (3-year) post-restoration site (P = 0.03), suggesting an initial decrease in carbon and organic matter during restoration. Both N and P were deficient at the newest, lower restoration site, presumably linked to the lack of organic matter required for adequate cation exchange capacity and nutrient/plant exchange (P P = 0.02). Vegetation composition was primarily native species with few invasive plants present. The results of this study illustrate that tidal marsh plant communities are influenced by the development of salinity and vertical gradients with older sites having an increase in species diversity. Future surveys are ongoing to better understand how these sites recover organic matter and tidal marsh communities to form adequate estuarine habitat over time.
Highlights
Estuarine ecosystems are the link between freshwater and marine environments and are considered one of the most productive systems on the planet [1]
Cation exchange capacity (CEC) differed per site with higher levels associated with the oldest restoration sites and the and pre-site and lowest levels recorded in sediments associated with the 3-year-old sites, below the bridge (P = 0.002)
Differences in CEC, N, P, soil carbon and SOM existed among sites, with the lowest levels sampled from the newest post-restoration site
Summary
Estuarine ecosystems are the link between freshwater and marine environments and are considered one of the most productive systems on the planet [1]. Sediment and vegetation play integral roles in denitrification, carbon sequestration, and physical stability through sediment stabilization and organic matter production [5] [6] [7]. These estuarine processes support valuable ecosystem services including flood mitigation, storm abatement, water quality and quantity improvements, and wetland and aquifer recharge [8]. The ecological complexity of estuary vegetation and sediment accretion forms intricate food webs, thereby creating essential habitat for many aquatic and terrestrial wildlife species This is of particular importance for the conservation and restoration of habitat required to support many marine, freshwater, and terrestrial wildlife species
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