An assessment of ecological conditions in a constructed tidal marsh and two natural reference tidal marshes in coastal Virginia

Havens, Kirk J.; Varnell, Lyle M.; Bradshaw, Julie

doi:10.1016/0925-8574(94)00051-6

Cited by 53 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Indeed, these marshes often appear more productive than natural marshes on the basis of above-ground plant biomass (Webb & Newling 1985, Broome 1989). However, accumulating evidence suggests that natural and created marshes are not funct~onally equivalent for nekton and other estuarine organisms (Moy & Levin 1991, Minello & Zimmerman 1992, Meyer et al 1993, Zedler 1993, Havens et al 1995, Zedler 1996. Therefore, replacement of natural marshes with created marshes may result in losses of estuarine and fishery productivity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of natural and created Spartina alterniflora salt marshes by fishery species and other aquatic fauna in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

Minello¹,

Jw²

1997

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

131

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We compared densities of nekton and infauna among 5 natural and 10 created (3 to 15 yr in age) salt marshes ~n the Galveston Bay system of Texas to test whether these marshes were funct~onally equivalent. Decapod crustaceans dominated the nekton on the marsh surface during both the spnng and the fall. Densltles of daggerblade grass shrlmp Palaemonetes pugio, the most abundant decapod, were not signif~cantly d~fferent among marshes, but the size of these s h r~m p In created marshes was significantly smaller than in natural marshes Densit~es of the marsh grass shrlmp Palaen~o n e t e s vulgar~s and of 3 commerc~ally-~mportant crustaceans (white shrimp Penaeus setlferus, brown shrimp Peoaeus aztecus, and blue crab Calllnectes s a p~d u s ) were slgniflcantly lower In created marshes than ~n natural marshes. Gulf menhaden Brevoortia patronus were the most abundant fish collected, mainly on nonvegetated bottom adjacent to marsh habitats. Fish densities within vegetation (predominantly gobies and pinfish Lagodon rhornbo~des) were significantly lower in created marshes than in natural marshes. Natural and created marshes, however, did not differ in species richness of nekton. Sediment macro-organlc matter and density and species richness of macroinfauna (mainly polychaete worms) were all signif~cantly lower in created marshes than natural marshes. There was a posit~ve relationship in created marshes between marsh age and sediment macro-organ~c matter, but marsh age was not related to nekton densities. Natural marshes were similar in having low elevations and flooding durations between 74 and 80% of the year, while created marshes were flooded from 43 to 91 % of the time. In contrast to marsh age, tidal floodlng was often related to nekton dens~tles in marsh habitats. We conclude that marsh elevation and tidal flooding are key characterist~cs affecting use by nekton and should be considered in marsh construction projects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of natural and created Spartina alterniflora salt marshes by fishery species and other aquatic fauna in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

Minello¹,

Jw²

1997

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

131

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“…A number of authors have recommended that firstorder channels be included in Pacific coast restoration projects (Havens et al 1995, Zedler et al 1997, Williams & Zedler 1999, Talley 2000. Desmond et al (2000) suggested incorporating first-order creeks into restoration sites to increase the availability of both shallow habitat for resident fish species and nursery habitat.…”

Section: Implications For Restorationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Specifically, created marshes in southern California lacked small size classes of certain species, which was attributed by Talley (2000) to lack of shallow water habitat and low-order channels in these regions. Since low-order channels allow access to more productive, low elevation intertidal areas, the lack of such channels in constructed marshes may reduce densities of certain nekton species (Havens et al 1995, Zedler et al 1997). This concept reinforces the submission that estuarine landscape structure and scale must be considered to properly restore marsh habitats for fish production Our understanding of nekton use of coastal marshes and channels comes primarily from studies in North American Atlantic and Gulf coast tidal salt marshes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community composition and diet of fishes as a function of tidal channel geomorphology

Visintainer¹,

Bollens²,

Simenstad³

2006

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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We examined how channel system order and complexity influence fish community composition, abundance, and diet, by comparing first-through fourth-order channel systems at China Camp Marsh, San Francisco Estuary, California, USA. We sampled 6 channel systems (with replicates of the second-and fourth-order systems) bimonthly from July 2001 to May 2002 using modified fyke nets. We examined the diet of the 3 most common species that occurred consistently over time (seasonally): Atherinops affinis, Menidia beryllina, and Leptocottus armatus. Low-order (first-and second-order) systems supported higher densities of Gambusia affinis and Lucania parva. High-order (third-and fourth-order) systems supported greater species richness and densities of juveniles, including Clupea pallasi, than low-order systems. Prey taxa richness was greater for M. beryllina and lower for L. armatus in the first-order system. There was a positive correlation between high-order channel systems and mean stomach fullness scores for L. armatus, and M. beryllina had greater short-term consumption rates in high-order channel systems. Habitat heterogeneity, and specifically the presence of both low-and high-order channel systems, is necessary to accommodate early life stages, species-specific dietary requirements, and enhanced species richness of fishes at China Camp Marsh. Based on our results, we recommend that the processes and landscape scales that promote channel formation be considered in future salt marsh restoration projects.KEY WORDS: Channel system order · Tidal marsh · Fish ecology · Community composition · Diet · Wetland restoration Resale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

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“…An initial scan covering all the sampling area was carried out slowly at the beginning of the 20-min period and then birds entering the area were counted. Havens et al 1995, Neckles et al 2002 for similar methodologies). Thus, every marsh area (restored and non-restored) was visited between 9 and 15 times every season both at low and high tide.…”

Section: Bird Censusesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avian communities inSpartina maritimarestored and non-restored salt marshes

et al. 2013

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An assessment of ecological conditions in a constructed tidal marsh and two natural reference tidal marshes in coastal Virginia

Cited by 53 publications

References 26 publications

Use of natural and created Spartina alterniflora salt marshes by fishery species and other aquatic fauna in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

Use of natural and created Spartina alterniflora salt marshes by fishery species and other aquatic fauna in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

Community composition and diet of fishes as a function of tidal channel geomorphology

Avian communities inSpartina maritimarestored and non-restored salt marshes

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