Sediment and Nutrient Deposition Associated with Hurricane Wilma in Mangroves of the Florida Coastal Everglades

Abstract

The distribution of mangrove biomass and forest structure along Shark River estuary in the Florida Coastal Everglades (FCE) has been correlated with elevated total phosphorus concentration in soils thought to be associated with storm events. The passage of Hurricane Wilma across Shark River estuary in 2005 allowed us to quantify sediment deposition and nutrient inputs in FCE mangrove forests associated with this storm event and to evaluate whether these pulsing events are sufficient to regulate nutrient biogeochemistry in mangrove forests of south Florida. We sampled the spatial pattern of sediment deposits and their chemical properties in mangrove forests along FCE sites in December 2005 and October 2006. The thickness (0.5 to 4.5 cm) of hurricane sediment deposits decreased with distance inland at each site. Bulk density, organic matter content, total nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, and inorganic and organic P pools of hurricane sediment deposits differed from surface (0-10 cm) mangrove soils at each site. Vertical accretion resulting from this hurricane event was eight to 17 times greater than the annual accretion rate (0.30 ± 0.03 cm year −1 ) averaged over the last 50 years. Total P inputs from storm-derived sediments were equivalent to twice the average surface soil nutrient P density (0.19 mg cm −3 ). In contrast, total N inputs contributed 0.8 times the average soil nutrient N density (2.8 mg cm −3 ). Allochthonous mineral inputs from Hurricane Wilma represent a significant source of sediment to soil vertical accretion rates and nutrient resources in mangroves of southwestern Everglades. The gradient in total P deposition to mangrove soils from west to east direction across the FCE associated with this storm event is particularly significant to forest development due to the P-limited condition of this carbonate ecosystem. This source of P may be an important adaptation of mangrove forests in the Caribbean region to projected impacts of sea-level rise.

Changes in Modern Pollen Assemblages and Soil Geochemistry along Coastal Environmental Gradients in the Everglades of South Florida

“…This transect consists of four main study sites (SRM, SRS-6, SRS-5, and SRS-4) extending from the mouth of the SRS to about 18 km upstream. Within each site, surface samples were taken along a secondary transect perpendicular to the river (Figure 1) to capture the secondary environmental gradients as a function of the distance away from the river, which transports not only water but also chemicals from the watershed to the sea (Chen and Twilley, 1999a,b;Castañeda-Moya et al, 2010). A total of 18 samples were collected from the four main study sites.…”

“…Their study, which focuses on the freshwater wetlands and more inland communities, also suggests that pollen record is useful for reconstructing past hydrologic and edaphic changes in the Everglades. More importantly, although estuarine mangroves are the dominant mangrove types in the Everglades, most studies only focus on the primary environmental gradient between coastal and inland sites (Chen and Twilley, 1999a,b;Willard et al, 2001;Castañeda-Moya et al, 2010, 2013. Modern pollen assemblages and soil chemistry along the secondary environmental gradient away from the river has been overlooked in the research literature from the Everglades.…”

Impact and Mitigation of Nutrient Pollution and Overland Water Flow Change on the Florida Everglades, USA

“…Sustainability 2016, 8,940 3 of 20 20 cm in parts of Everglades National Park [3]. Another commonly found sediment deposit along with peat is marl, a calcitic soil which is deposited during drier times.…”

“…These forests consist of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans), white mangroves (Laguncularia racemosa), and the most dominant type-red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle). Mangrove forests are of great significance, as they are one of the most productive aquatic ecosystems [20,21]. They protect coastal shores from erosion and storms, and they provide nurseries for many fish species.…”

New perspectives on an iconic landscape from comparative international long‐term ecological research

“…Comparisons of mangrove productivity aided by international LTER collaborations suggest these high values, promoted by biogeochemical and hydrological forces unique to subtropical karstic estuaries, typify the Caribbean region (RiveraMonroy et al 2008, Castañeda-Moya et al 2010, Jardel et al 2013, Stalker et al 2014. Because climate disturbance is such a critical modulator of these biogeochemical and hydrological controls, collaborations between FCE and Mexican Long-Term Ecological Research Network (Red Mexicana de Investigación Ecológica a Largo Plazo) researchers are underway to identify gaps in climatological datasets and in our understanding of the frequency, duration and degree of impact of different types of disturbances structuring these forested wetlands (Calderon-Aguilera et al , Farfán et al 2014.…”