Floristic Development in Three Oligohaline Tidal Wetlands after Dike Removal

Clifton, Brenda C.; Hood, W. Gregory; Hinton, Steve R.

doi:10.3368/er.36.3.238

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…Marshes are excellent candidates for these analyses because vegetation tends to form expansive monocultures in these environments, and canopy-forming woody vegetation is generally absent. Several remote sensing studies have effectively mapped the distribution of marsh species, including cattail (Lishawa et al 2017;Wilcox et al 2018;Clifton et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Undetected but Widespread: the Cryptic Invasion of Non-Native Cattail (Typha) in a Pacific Northwest Estuary

Stewart

Hood

Martin

2023

Estuaries and Coasts

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Early detection of invasive species is an important predictor of management success. Non-native narrowleaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) has been detected in the Fraser River Estuary (FRE) in recent decades, but questions around their degree of establishment, and the potential emergence of hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca), remain unanswered. This study models the current and potential future distribution of nonnative cattails in the FRE using a unique combination of spectral imagery analysis and species distribution modelling. Contrary to our expectation, we nd that non-native cattails are already widespread, currently occupying approximately 4% of FRE tidal marshes. Though never formally recorded in the FRE, hybrid cattail is the more abundant of the two taxa, suggesting that heterosis may be facilitating this invasion. In our species distribution model, we distinguish between site suitability (ability to establish and persist) and site susceptibility (risk of being colonized when suitable). Our model predicts that 28% of the estuary has > 50% probability of suitability, and 21% has > 50% probability of susceptibility to non-native Typha, indicating the scale of this invasion may increase over time. Restoration projects had proportionally more cattail, susceptible habitat, and suitable habitat than the overall estuary, casting doubt on their effectiveness at mitigating wetland destruction. Due to their resemblance to native Typha latifolia, these cattails qualify as cryptic invaders, which explains how they were able to establish and remain undetected for decades. Regional eradication is unlikely given the extent of invasion, therefore management should prioritize areas of high conservation and cultural values.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Undetected but Widespread: the Cryptic Invasion of Non-Native Cattail (Typha) in a Pacific Northwest Estuary

Stewart

Hood

Martin

2023

Estuaries and Coasts

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“…Secondary disturbances during culvert restoration results in newly disturbed estuarine sediments that may lack the abiotic and biotic complexity required for native plant establishment [16]. These disturbed substrates tend to promote fast-growing exotic plant species that could impact processes such as marsh plant succession, soil development, and water relations [17] [18]. Some sites may become so invaded and degraded that they are transformed into novel systems incapable of obtaining the level of tidal marsh functioning required for estuary recovery [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tidal Marsh Plant Community Development within Four Restored Lowland Estuaries in the Western Peninsulas of Washington State, USA

Call¹,

Bauman²

2021

AJPS

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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 prerestoration 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 < 0.05). Plant species diversity was higher at the intermediate (9-year) and oldest post-restoration sites (12-year; 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.

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