Muddy waters: elevating sediment input to coastal and estuarine habitats

Thrush, Simon F.; Hewitt, J.; Cummings, Vonda J.; Ellis, Joanne I.; Hatton, Chris; Lohrer, Andrew M.; Norkko, Alf

doi:10.1890/1540-9295(2004)002[0299:mwesit]2.0.co;2

Cited by 324 publications

(125 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The local effects of climate change include increased wind and glacial melt, and the resulting increased siltation (Thrush et al 2004; unpublished reports from IOPAS) leads to a reduction in the euphotic zone. This, in turn, creates an upward shift of macrophytobenthos as has been observed along Baltic shores (Bucas et al 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increase in biodiversity in the arctic rocky littoral, Sorkappland, Svalbard, after 20 years of climate warming

2010

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Rocky littoral macroorganisms that live between the high and low water marks were sampled in the summers of 1988 and 2007-2008 in Hornsund Fjord and along the adjacent Sorkappland coast (76-77°N). The same sampling stations and methodology were used to collect the samples. Over the last 20 years, the study area has been exposed to well-documented increases in air and sea temperature, increased windiness, and marked decreases in both the duration and extent of sea ice cover. The study revealed a twofold increase in the number of species found intertidally, a threefold increase in the biomass of macrophytes, and an upward shift in algae occurrence on the coast. Subarctic boreal species occupied new areas, while arctic species retreated. There were no species new to the area in 2007-2008, and all newcomers to the intertidal zone were noted in 1988 in the sublittoral zone. The relative stability of intertidal flora and fauna after 20 years is explained by the fact that the warm Atlantic waters (the main warming agent) are distant from the Sorkappland coast. Current observations show a marked change in the coastal belt biocenosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increase in biodiversity in the arctic rocky littoral, Sorkappland, Svalbard, after 20 years of climate warming

2010

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“…Benthic filter feeders suffer from clogging of their filtering organs when exposed to intense sedimentation (Thrush et al 2004). Recent rapid glacier retreat along the West Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) and, more specifically, around the South Shetland Archipelago (Rückamp et al 2011) caused a rise in sediment deposition rates over the past 60 years (Monien et al 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Respiratory responses of three Antarctic ascidians and a sea pen to increased sediment concentrations

et al. 2012

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“…Most of the region's coastal wetlands have closed to tidal flushing periodically, and sometimes for several months (Zedler 2001). Episodic sedimentation is also a problem in these wetlands (Zedler et al 1992, Zedler 2001, with sediment accretion rates in excess of 1 cm yr -1 at certain sites (Onuf 1987;Callaway and Zedler 2004;Thrush et al 2004;Wallace et al 2005). High sedimentation rates can have profound effects on estuarine biota.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish community responses to ecosystem stressors in coastal estuarine wetlands: a functional basis for wetlands management and restoration

Madon

2007

Wetlands Ecol Manage

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Functional responses of estuarine fish species to environmental perturbations such as wetland impoundment, changes in water quality, and sediment accretion are investigated. The study focuses on the feeding, growth and habitat use by California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis), topsmelt (Antherinops affinis), and juvenile California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) in impacted coastal wetlands to provide an ecological basis for guidance on the management and restoration of these ecosystems. The ecology of California killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis, is closely tied with the marsh surface, which they access at high tide to feed and grow. Field estimates of food consumption show that killifish can increase their food intake by two-fold to five-fold by adding marsh surface foods to their diet. Bioenergetics modeling predicts that killifish can grow over an order of magnitude faster if they add intertidal marsh surfaces to their subtidal feeding areas. Tidal inlet closures and increased marsh surface elevations due to sediment accretion can restrict killifish access to the marsh surface, affecting its growth and fitness. An open tidal inlet and tidal creek networks that allow killifish to access the marsh at high tide must be incorporated into the restoration design. Topsmelt and California halibut are also adversely affected by tidal inlet closures. Food consumption rates of topsmelt are 50% lower when the tidal inlet is closed, compared to when the estuary is tidally-flushed. Tidal inlet closures inadvertently induce variations in water temperature and salinity and negatively affect growth of juvenile California halibut. Tidal creek networks which consist of channels and creeks of various orders are also important to halibut. Large halibut ([200 mm TL) inhabit deeper, high order channels for thermal refuge, while small halibut (\120 mm TL) are abundant in lower order channels where they can feed on small-sized prey which are typically less abundant in high order channels. Maintaining an open tidal inlet, implementing sediment management programs and designing coastal wetlands with tidal creek networks adjacent to intertidal salt marsh habitat (for fish access) are key elements that need to be considered during the planning and implementation of coastal wetland restoration projects.

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Muddy waters: elevating sediment input to coastal and estuarine habitats

Cited by 324 publications

References 8 publications

Increase in biodiversity in the arctic rocky littoral, Sorkappland, Svalbard, after 20 years of climate warming

Increase in biodiversity in the arctic rocky littoral, Sorkappland, Svalbard, after 20 years of climate warming

Respiratory responses of three Antarctic ascidians and a sea pen to increased sediment concentrations

Fish community responses to ecosystem stressors in coastal estuarine wetlands: a functional basis for wetlands management and restoration

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