Effects of short-term invasion of Spartina alterniflora and the subsequent restoration of native mangroves on the soil organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus stock. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Jianxiang; Zhou, Jian; Wang, Liming; Cui, Xiaowei; Ning, Cunxin; Wu, Hao; Zhu, Xiaoshan; Lin, Guanghui
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 184(2017)
• Page Start: 774
• Page End: 783
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Spartina alterniflora -- Kandelia obovata -- Soil organic carbon -- Soil TN and TP -- Carbon density -- Stable carbon isotope; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.06.060
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The exotic cordgrass Spartina alterniflora has severely invaded the mangrove wetlands in southern China and ecological restoration using native mangroves was conducted in an attempt to control this invasive species. In this study, the contents and pools of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were quantified to investigate the invasive effects of S. alterniflora and then to evaluate whether the ecological restoration of native mangrove could reverse those effects. S. alterniflora only showed significantly higher organic carbon content in the surface 0–10 cm of soil than in the uninvaded mudflat. The high δ 13 C values in the surface soil of the invaded habitat demonstrated that S. alterniflora contributed 42.6–62.2% of the organic carbon. The SOC for invasive S. alterniflora and newly restored mangroves (4 years and 14 years) was not enhanced in comparison to the unvegetated mudflat. S. alterniflora significantly increased the surface soil TN content, but decreased the available phosphorus content and TP density. The TN densities increased gradually with the mangrove restoration, while the TP densities were only slightly influenced. The results suggested that short-term invasion of S. alterniflora and subsequent mangrove restoration did not alter SOC or TN pool sizes, but S. alterniflora was shown to affect the potential carbon storage capacity produced by the mangroves in the Zhangjiang Estuary. Highlights: Contents and pools of soil OC, TN and total phosphorus in invasive S. alterniflora and restored mangroves were studied. S. alterniflora only increased the soil OC and TN contents in the surface 0–10 cm. Compared to mudflat, short-term S. alterniflora invasion and mangrove restoration did not enhance the soil OC and TN stock. The mature mangroves showed the highest organic carbon and total nitrogen densities than all the other habitats.