Ribbed mussels Geukensia demissa enhance nitrogen-removal services but not plant growth in restored eutrophic salt marshes

Zhu, Jennifer; Zarnoch, Chester B.; Alldred, Mary; Hoellein, Timothy J.

doi:10.3354/meps13132

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…Oyster-mediated denitrification enhancement is emerging as one of several nitrogen reduction tools employed by resource managers, and the discussion here illustrates its potential to contribute to coastal and estuarine nitrogen management. Similar arguments could be made for consideration of denitrification enhancement by other organisms, such as clams, mussels, and wetland plants (Nizzoli et al 2006;Bastviken et al 2007;Alldred and Baines 2016;Bilkovic et al 2017;Zhu et al 2019). Recognizing and valuing this additional nitrogen reduction service may encourage the application of in situ practices and expand their contributions to overall nutrient management.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Sisson et al (2011) observed a relationship between denitrification rates and oyster biomass in experiments conducted at a reef restoration site in Chesapeake Bay. Others (Piehler and Smyth 2011;Hoellein and Zarnoch 2014;Zhu et al 2019) have observed positive relationships among sediment organic content, sediment oxygen demand, and denitrification rates. A general impact of oyster presence on denitrification rates could also be determined, mirroring an approach that has been used to estimate impacts of vegetation on denitrification rates (Alldred and Baines 2016).…”

Section: Proxies For Denitrification Enhancementmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…A third potential pathway of nitrogen removal by shellfish is through enhancement of denitrification, the microbialdriven process of converting reactive (i.e., bioavailable) nitrogen to non-reactive di-nitrogen (N 2 ) gas (e.g., Kellogg et al 2013 ; Hoellein et al 2014 ; Humphries et al 2016 ; Smyth et al 2016 ; Bilkovic et al 2017 ; Zhu et al 2019 ). Denitrification is unique, in that the nitrogen is no longer bioavailable and is removed from the immediate ecosystem where water quality problems can occur.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Denitrification is unique, in that the nitrogen is no longer bioavailable and is removed from the immediate ecosystem where water quality problems can occur. Bivalve shellfish may enhance local denitrification rates by concentrating organic matter in underlying sediments, where the carbon and nitrogen from biodeposits, and its eventual decomposition, may provide reactants and conditions needed to support denitrification and lead to increases in nitrogen removal even in eutrophic areas ( Zhu et al 2019 ). Microbial communities in the anoxic guts of shellfish and on their shells may further contribute to denitrification ( Caffrey et al 2016 ; Arfken et al 2017 ; Ray et al 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Opportunities and Challenges for Including Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nitrogen Management Plans

Rose

Bricker²,

Brush

et al. 2021

Estuaries and Coasts

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Nitrogen pollution is one of the primary threats to coastal water quality globally, and governmental regulations and marine policy are increasingly requiring nitrogen remediation in management programs. Traditional mitigation strategies (e.g., advanced wastewater treatment) are not always enough to meet reduction goals. Novel opportunities for additional nitrogen reduction are needed to develop a portfolio of long-term solutions. Increasingly, in situ nitrogen reduction practices are providing a complementary management approach to the traditional source control and treatment, including recognition of potential contributions of coastal bivalve shellfish. While policy interest in bivalves has focused primarily on nitrogen removal via biomass harvest, bivalves can also contribute to nitrogen removal by enhancing denitrification (the microbial driven process of bioavailable nitrogen transformation to di-nitrogen gas). Recent evidence suggests that nitrogen removed via enhanced denitrification may eclipse nitrogen removal through biomass harvest alone. With a few exceptions, bivalve-enhanced denitrification has yet to be incorporated into water quality policy. Here, we focus on oysters in considering how this issue may be addressed. We discuss policy options to support expansion of oyster-mediated denitrification, describe the practical considerations for incorporation into nitrogen management, and summarize the current state of the field in accounting for denitrification in oyster habitats. When considered against alternative nitrogen control strategies, we argue that enhanced denitrification associated with oysters should be included in a full suite of nitrogen removal strategies, but with the recognition that denitrification associated with oyster habitats will not alone solve our excess nitrogen loading problem.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Proxies For Denitrification Enhancementmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Opportunities and Challenges for Including Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nitrogen Management Plans

Rose

Bricker²,

Brush

et al. 2021

Estuaries and Coasts

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is worth noting, however, that there is a growing body of literature on the ability of other marine bivalves to enhance denitrification. Key examples include northern quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture, blue mussel (Mytilus edulis/trossulus) aquaculture, green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) aquaculture and restoration, and ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) restoration. , In addition, there is emerging work on freshwater bivalves such as Unionid mussels, , Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), , and Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) . Research on oyster-mediated denitrification likely inspired many of these studies on other bivalves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond Bioextraction: The Role of Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nutrient Management

Ayvazian

Mulvaney

Zarnoch

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Recently, interest has grown in using oyster-mediated denitrification resulting from aquaculture and restoration as mechanisms for reactive nitrogen (N) removal. To date, short-term N removal through bioextraction has received the most management interest, but there is a growing body of research that has shown oysters can also mediate the long-term removal of N through denitrification (the microbial conversion of reactive N to relatively inert dinitrogen (N 2 ) gas). Oyster suspension feeding and ammonium release via waste and deposition of organic matter to the sediments can stimulate nitrification−denitrification near oyster reefs and aquaculture sites. Oysters also harbor a diverse microbial community in their tissue and shell promoting denitrification and thus enhanced N removal. Additionally, surface areas on oyster reefs provide a habitat for other filter-feeding macrofaunal communities that can further enhance denitrification. Denitrification is a complex biogeochemical process that can be difficult to convey to stakeholders. These complexities have limited consideration and inclusion of oyster-mediated denitrification within nutrient management. Although oyster-mediated denitrification will not be a standalone solution to excess N loading, it may provide an additional management tool that can leverage oyster aquaculture and habitat restoration as a N mitigation strategy. Here, we provide an overview of the biogeochemical processes involved in oyster-mediated denitrification and summarize how it could be incorporated into nutrient management efforts by various stakeholders.

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Asymmetrical facilitation ameliorates environmental conditions through positive feedback in partner traits

Moore

Hughes

2023

Ecosphere

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Positive species interactions, including facilitation and mutualism, are important in shaping ecological communities through the amelioration of stressful conditions. Facilitation results from traits (e.g., plant growth form) that create benefits for one or more interacting partners. The outcomes of facilitation depend on positive or negative feedbacks between partners, which can determine the stability of interactions over time. We can expand our understanding of these dynamics through a bidirectional approach that identifies the specific mechanisms creating benefits for the associated species, the traits related to those benefits, and the potential for feedbacks to affect amelioration by modifying traits. We characterized an association between the salt marsh plant Limonium carolinianum and mussel Geukensia sp. in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We used a field survey and three field experiments to establish the bidirectional effects of the association, the underlying mechanisms, and the relevant traits for each partner species. Mussels benefitted from Limonium canopies, which ameliorated high temperatures and predation for mussels, increasing survival and recruitment. These positive effects were particularly evident under larger canopies. Mussels enriched sediment organic matter and thus over time are expected to alleviate nutrient limitation for Limonium.Changes in functional traits of both species contributed to facilitation. Limonium both benefitted from and promoted higher mussel density, and mussels both allowed Limonium to grow or retain more leaves and benefitted from stress amelioration under larger canopies. The benefits of the association appear asymmetrical: mussels consistently benefitted in both experiments, but we found only modest positive effects on Limonium, and only over the longer term. These differences likely reflect variation in the seasonality and/or timescale of the facilitative mechanisms. The bidirectional and mechanistic design of our study revealed positive feedbacks that reinforced the traits conferring benefits to each partner, potentially stabilizing this positive interaction.Understanding how feedbacks influence the outcomes of facilitation is increasingly important as anthropogenic stressors increase globally.

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Ribbed mussels Geukensia demissa enhance nitrogen-removal services but not plant growth in restored eutrophic salt marshes

Cited by 10 publications

References 84 publications

Opportunities and Challenges for Including Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nitrogen Management Plans

Opportunities and Challenges for Including Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nitrogen Management Plans

Beyond Bioextraction: The Role of Oyster-Mediated Denitrification in Nutrient Management

Asymmetrical facilitation ameliorates environmental conditions through positive feedback in partner traits

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