Future vegetation patterns and primary production in the coastal wetlands of East China under sea level rise, sediment reduction, and saltwater intrusion. Issue 10 (9th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ge, Zhen‐Ming; Cao, Hao‐Bin; Cui, Li‐Fang; Zhao, Bin; Zhang, Li‐Quan
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 120:Issue 10(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1923
• Page End: 1940
• Publication Date: 2015-10-09
• Subjects: coastal ecosystem -- sea level rise -- exotic grass -- salinity stress -- vegetation pattern -- primary production; Geobiology -- Periodicals; Biogeochemistry -- Periodicals; Biotic communities -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 577.14
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JG003014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-8953

Abstract

Abstract: To explore the effects of sea level rise (SLR), sediment reduction (SR), and saltwater intrusion (SWI) on the vegetation patterns and primary production of one exotic ( Spartina alterniflora ) and two native dominant ( Scirpus mariqueter and Phragmites australis ) species in the coastal wetlands of East China, range expansion monitoring and stress experiments were conducted, followed by model prediction. After a rapid invasion period, the expansion rate of S . alterniflora slowed down due to the decreasing availability of suitable habitat under prolonged inundation. SLR was shown to decrease the colonization of S . alterniflora and the native P . australis up to 2100. In contrast, the native S . mariqueter that has a high tolerance of inundation increased in area following SLR, due to a reduction in competition from S . alterniflora in low‐lying habitats and even recolonized areas previously invaded by the exotic species. The combination of SLR and SR resulted in further degradation of S . alterniflora and P . australis, while the area of S . mariqueter was not reduced significantly. The decrease in the area of vegetation would reduce the gross primary production under SLR and SR. SWI exacerbates the impacts, especially for P . australis, because S . alterniflora and S . mariqueter have a higher tolerance of salinity. Thus, the coastal vegetation pattern was predicted to be modified due to species‐specific adaption to changed geophysical features. This study indicated that the native species better adapted to prolonged inundation and increased salinity might once again become key contributors to primary production on the muddy coasts of East China. Key Points: Coastal vegetation pattern and primary production will be modified following environmental stress The competitive advantage of exotic species was weakened due to lower tolerance when under stress The resilience of native species that adapted to changed geophysical features was to be expected