Linear and nonlinear effects of temperature and precipitation on ecosystem properties in tidal saline wetlands

Feher, Laura C.; Osland, Michael J.; Griffith, Kereen T.; Grace, James B.; Howard, Rebecca J.; Stagg, Camille L.; Enwright, Nicholas M.; Krauss, Ken W.; Gabler, Christopher A.; Day, Richard H.; Rogers, Kerrylee

doi:10.1002/ecs2.1956

Cited by 93 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 168 publications

(219 reference statements)

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“…Mangroves responded strongly to warming according to most of the growth parameters measured, including a doubling of height and canopy volume, which contributed to an increase in mangrove dominance. This is consistent with predictions by Feher et al () where increases in the minimum temperature were associated with increased canopy height of coastal wetland species. However, we previously found that mangrove seedlings had minimal response to chronic warming, this study shows that once mangroves are established, their growth rate is enhanced in warmed conditions, which may help drive salt marsh habitat conversion to mangrove habitat (Coldren et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Mangrove encroachment into salt marsh habitats can alter below‐ground C storage, due to increased root production (Kelleway et al, ; Yando et al, ). However, effects are not consistent across locations and above‐ and below‐ground biomass capacity of C storage can differ (Feher et al, ; McKee & Vervaeke, ; Perry & Mendelssohn, ; Yando et al, ). Both salt marshes and mangroves can exhibit high levels of root production and sediment trapping, processes that can maintain biome position with respect to sea levels (Langley, McKee, Cahoon, Cherry, & Megonigal, ; McKee, Cahoon, & Feller, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Warming accelerates mangrove expansion and surface elevation gain in a subtropical wetland

et al. 2018

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Climatic warming can change how coastal wetland plants grow, thus altering their capacity to build land and keep pace with rising seas. As freeze events decline with climate change, mangroves expand their range to higher latitudes and displace salt marsh vegetation. Warmer air temperatures will likely alter above‐ and below‐ground plant dynamics as this dramatic coastal wetland biome shift proceeds, which in turn may result in changes in ecosystem function such as sediment building. We used a large scale in situ warming experiment in a subtropical wetland to increase both marsh and mangrove ecosystem air temperatures. We assessed how 2 years of continuous warming influenced above‐ and below‐ground plant growth and surface elevation relative to sea level. We found that chronic warming doubled plant height and accelerated the expansion of mangrove into salt marsh vegetation, as indicated by a sixfold greater increase in mangrove cover in warmed plots compared to ambient temperature plots and a corresponding loss in salt marsh cover. Surface elevation gain, a measure of soil‐building capacity, increased due to warming over a 2‐year period and these changes in surface elevation were driven by increased mangrove root production in warmed plots. Synthesis. Our findings suggest that, in some coastal wetlands, warming can facilitate plant community changes from marsh to mangrove, with corresponding increases in growth that help coastal wetlands to keep pace with sea‐level rise.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Warming accelerates mangrove expansion and surface elevation gain in a subtropical wetland

et al. 2018

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“…There are three common mangrove species in this region: A. germinans (black mangrove – the focal species for this study), Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove) and Laguncularia racemosa (white mangrove). Near these northern range limits, winter air temperature extremes greatly influence mangrove physiology (Cook‐Patton, Lehmann, & Parker, ; Hayes et al, ; Madrid, Armitage, & López‐Portillo, ; Stuart et al, ), reproduction (Dangremond & Feller, ) and architecture (Doughty et al, ; Feher et al, ; Simpson, Osborne, Duckett, & Feller, ; Yando et al, ). Freeze‐tolerant salt marshes dominate areas that are too cold for mangrove forests, while mangroves dominate coastal reaches with mild winters.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature thresholds for black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) freeze damage, mortality and recovery in North America: Refining tipping points for range expansion in a warming climate

et al. 2019

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Near the tropical‐temperate transition zone, warming winter temperatures are expected to facilitate the poleward range expansion of freeze‐sensitive tropical organisms. In coastal wetlands of eastern and central North America, freeze‐sensitive woody plants (mangroves) are expected to expand northward into regions currently dominated by freeze‐tolerant herbaceous salt marsh plants. To advance understanding of mangrove range expansion, there is a need to refine temperature thresholds for mangrove freeze damage, mortality and recovery. We integrated data from 38 sites spread across the mangrove range edge in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of North America, including data from a regional collaborative network – the Mangrove Migration Network. In 2018, an extreme freeze event affected 60% of these sites, with minimum temperatures ranging from 0 to −7°C. We used temperature and vegetation data from before and after the freeze to quantify temperature thresholds for leaf damage, mortality and biomass recovery of the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) – the most freeze‐tolerant mangrove species in North America. For A. germinans individuals near their northern range limit, our results indicate that temperature thresholds for leaf damage are close to −4°C, but temperature thresholds for mortality are closer to −7°C. Thresholds are expected to be warmer for more southern A. germinans individuals and for the other two common mangrove species in the region (Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle). Regenerative buds allowed A. germinans to resprout and recover quickly from above‐ground freeze damage. Hence, biomass recovery levels during the first post‐freeze growing season were 90%, 78%, 62% and 45% for temperatures of −4, −5, −6 and −7°C, respectively. Due to a combination of vigorous resprouting and new recruitment from propagules, we expect full recovery at most sites within 1–3 years, assuming no further freeze events. Synthesis. To improve predictions of tropical range expansion in response to climate change, there is a need to better understand tropical species’ responses to winter temperature extremes. Collectively, our results refine temperature thresholds for A. germinans freeze damage, mortality and recovery, which can improve predictions of mangrove range expansion and coastal wetland ecological transformations in a warming climate.

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“…Few studies have looked at combined effects of sea level rise and other aspects of climate change. Feher et al (2017) reviewed the literature on the influence of changing temperature and precipitation regimes on tidal saline wetlands. They found that for several ecosystem properties and many regions there was still insufficient evidence to make generalized predictions.…”

Section: Salt Marsh and Mangrove Response To A Changing Climate And Amentioning

confidence: 99%

Wetlands In a Changing Climate: Science, Policy and Management

Moomaw

Chmura

Davies³

et al. 2018

Wetlands

300

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Part 1 of this review synthesizes recent research on status and climate vulnerability of freshwater and saltwater wetlands, and their contribution to addressing climate change (carbon cycle, adaptation, resilience). Peatlands and vegetated coastal wetlands are among the most carbon rich sinks on the planet sequestering approximately as much carbon as do global forest ecosystems. Estimates of the consequences of rising temperature on current wetland carbon storage and future carbon sequestration potential are summarized. We also demonstrate the need to prevent drying of wetlands and thawing of permafrost by disturbances and rising temperatures to protect wetland carbon stores and climate adaptation/resiliency ecosystem services. Preventing further wetland loss is found to be important in limiting future emissions to meet climate goals, but is seldom considered. In Part 2, the paper explores the policy and management realm from international to national, subnational and local levels to identify strategies and policies reflecting an integrated understanding of both wetland and climate change science. Specific recommendations are made to capture synergies between wetlands and carbon cycle management, adaptation and resiliency to further enable researchers, policy makers and practitioners to protect wetland carbon and climate adaptation/resiliency ecosystem services.

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Linear and nonlinear effects of temperature and precipitation on ecosystem properties in tidal saline wetlands

Cited by 93 publications

References 168 publications

Warming accelerates mangrove expansion and surface elevation gain in a subtropical wetland

Warming accelerates mangrove expansion and surface elevation gain in a subtropical wetland

Temperature thresholds for black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) freeze damage, mortality and recovery in North America: Refining tipping points for range expansion in a warming climate

Wetlands In a Changing Climate: Science, Policy and Management

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