Carbon export from fringing saltmarsh shoreline erosion overwhelms carbon storage across a critical width threshold

Theuerkauf, Ethan J.; Stephens, J. Drew; Ridge, Justin T.; Fodrie, F. Joel; Rodriguez, Antonio B.

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2015.08.001

Cited by 57 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…This follows the conceptual model of marsh vertical growth through sediment trapping, in concert with lateral retreat due to wave erosion (Mariotti & Carr, ). This finding indicates that models such as Theuerkauf et al () that neglect import of material via tidal channels may overestimate the export of POM and sediment. However, as Theuerkauf et al () note, without landward migration of the marsh‐land boundary, the aerial extent of the marsh will generally shrink as the marsh edge is eroded, limiting the extent to which sediment can be redeposited on the marsh and POM can be sequestered.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…However, as Theuerkauf et al () note, without landward migration of the marsh‐land boundary, the aerial extent of the marsh will generally shrink as the marsh edge is eroded, limiting the extent to which sediment can be redeposited on the marsh and POM can be sequestered. Accounting for tidal imports of POM through marsh channels would effectively increase the Theuerkauf et al’s () carbon storage term, as well as the amount of time required for eroding marshes to turn from sinks to sources of carbon and organic matter. Note that if marshes can retreat landward, then POM imports via tidal channels may continue to approximately equal export from edge erosion.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given the inherent geomorphic instability of tidal wetlands (Fagherazzi et al, ), it is likely that lateral POM fluxes are linked with contraction of wetland area, either due to sea level rise, internal pond expansion, or lateral erosion. Constraining flux rates under changing wetland stability is necessary as lateral erosion directly releases organic material to the adjacent waters, while also decreasing the ability of the system to trap material from the water column due to a reduction in marsh plain area (Theuerkauf et al, ). Closure of wetland‐estuary carbon budgets requires evaluating these two aspects of vertical and lateral change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Role of Tidal Wetland Stability in Lateral Fluxes of Particulate Organic Matter and Carbon

et al. 2019

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Tidal wetland fluxes of particulate organic matter and carbon (POM, POC) are important terms in global budgets but remain poorly constrained. Given the link between sediment fluxes and wetland stability, POM and POC fluxes should also be related to stability. We measured POM and POC fluxes in eight microtidal salt marsh channels, with net POM fluxes ranging between −121 ± 33 (export) and 102 ± 28 (import) g OM·m−2·year−1 and net POC fluxes ranging between −52 ± 14 and 43 ± 12 g C·m−2·year−1. A regression employing two measures of stability, the unvegetated‐vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR) and elevation, explained >95% of the variation in net fluxes. The regression indicates that marshes with lower elevation and UVVR import POM and POC while higher elevation marshes with high UVVR export POM and POC. We applied these relationships to marsh units within Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, USA, finding a net POM import of 2,355 ± 1,570 Mg OM/year (15 ± 10 g OM·m−2·year−1) and a net POC import of 1,263 ± 632 Mg C/year (8 ± 4 g C·m−2·year−1). The magnitude of this import was similar to an estimate of POM and POC export due to edge erosion (−2,535 Mg OM/year and − 1,291 Mg C/year), suggesting that this system may be neutral from a POM and POC perspective. In terms of a net budget, a disintegrating wetland should release organic material, while a stable wetland should trap material. This study quantifies that concept and demonstrates a linkage between POM/POC flux and geomorphic stability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Role of Tidal Wetland Stability in Lateral Fluxes of Particulate Organic Matter and Carbon

et al. 2019

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“…This is the result of inland erosion and riverine transport (Spalding et al, 2010;Miao et al, 2011;Siikamäki et al, 2012;Miao et al, 2015;Kong et al, 2015). C b would therefore be buried in saltmarshes within living aboveground and belowground biomass over annual to decadal timescales (Theuerkauf et al, 2015). Sources of biogenic C in salt marshes include grasses, benthic algae, and bacteria (Leonard and Luther, 1995).…”

Section: B Sequestration Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The riverine transport of C (as well as phytoplankton and microphytobenthos) to estuaries are potential allogenic sources of C b into saltmarshes (Ghebrehiwet et al, 2009;Yang et al, 2015). In addition, saltmarshes can trap allogenic C from the water column (Theuerkauf et al, 2015).…”

Section: B Sequestration Mechanismmentioning

confidence: 99%

New insight into global blue carbon estimation under human activity in land-sea interaction area: A case study of China

Gao

Yang

et al. 2016

Earth-Science Reviews

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a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f oThe C sequestration in coastal blue carbon (C b ) ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarshes, was discovered to be useful in mitigating the increasing trend of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emission due to climate change. In this study, we systematically estimate traditional C b ecosystem distribution and the associated C b sequestration rate, and then further quantify the C b sinks fishery contribution to C b ecosystem due to human activity in coastal ecosystem. The results show that the global C b ecosystem is able to store 10.8 PgC, wherein biomass and soil are able to store 2.13 and 8.68 PgC, respectively. In China, the C b pools are 162 TgC in mangroves, 67 TgC in saltmarshes and 75 TgC in seagrass. The human activity induced global C b sink fishery on C b ecosystem is about 26.58-37.6 TgC yr , while China can explain 1.70% of the world's total C b sequestration. However, in China, the C b sequestration due to human activity reaches up to 6.32-7.89 TgC yr −1 , accounting for 20.9%-23.7% of global C b sink fishery. Therefore, it is very important to build the C b sink fisheries measure and monitor system to scientifically valuate C b sink fisheries and associated development potential.

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Placing barrier‐island transgression in a blue‐carbon context

Theuerkauf

Rodriguez

2017

Earth's Future

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Backbarrier saltmarshes are considered carbon sinks; however, barrier island transgression and the associated processes of erosion and overwash are typically not included in coastal carbon budgets. Here, we present a carbon‐budget model for transgressive barrier islands that includes a dynamic carbon‐storage term, driven by backbarrier‐marsh width, and a carbon‐export term, driven by ocean and backbarrier shoreline erosion. To examine the impacts of storms, human disturbances and the backbarrier setting of a transgressive barrier island on carbon budgets and reservoirs, the model was applied to sites at Core Banks and Onslow Beach, NC, USA. Results show that shoreline erosion and burial of backbarrier marsh from washover deposition and dredge‐spoil disposal temporarily transitioned each site into a net exporter (source) of carbon. The magnitude of the carbon reservoir was linked to the backbarrier setting of an island. Carbon reservoirs of study sites separated from the mainland by only backbarrier marsh (no lagoon) decreased for over a decade because carbon storage could not keep pace with erosion. With progressive narrowing of the backbarrier marsh, these barriers will begin to function more persistently as carbon sources until the reservoir is depleted at the point where the barrier welds with the mainland. Undeveloped barrier islands with wide lagoons are carbon sources briefly during erosive periods; however, at century time scales are net carbon importers (sinks) because new marsh habitat can form during barrier rollover. Human development on backbarrier saltmarsh serves to reduce the carbon storage capacity and can hasten the transition of an island from a sink to a source.

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Carbon export from fringing saltmarsh shoreline erosion overwhelms carbon storage across a critical width threshold

Cited by 57 publications

References 64 publications

Role of Tidal Wetland Stability in Lateral Fluxes of Particulate Organic Matter and Carbon

Role of Tidal Wetland Stability in Lateral Fluxes of Particulate Organic Matter and Carbon

New insight into global blue carbon estimation under human activity in land-sea interaction area: A case study of China

Placing barrier‐island transgression in a blue‐carbon context

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