Ecology of Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands of the Southeastern United States

Conner, William H.; Doyle, Thomas W.; Krauss, Ken W.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-5095-4

Cited by 64 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 107 publications

(220 reference statements)

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“…To complicate matters, mangrove range expansion will also be influenced by interactions with other aspects of climate change (McKee, Rogers, & Saintilan, 2012; Osland et al., 2018; Saintilan, Rogers, & McKee, 2019; Ward et al., 2016). For example, wetland loss and landward migration due to accelerated sea‐level rise and saltwater intrusion will affect where mangroves can expand (Blum & Roberts, 2009; Conner, Doyle, & Krauss, 2007; Doyle, Krauss, Conner, & From, 2010; Enwright, Griffith, & Osland, 2016; Howard et al., 2020; Jankowski et al., 2017). Hurricanes can facilitate the long‐distance dispersal of mangrove propagules (Van der Stocken, Carroll, Menemenlis, Simard, & Koedam, 2019; Van der Stocken, Wee, et al, 2019), which will affect the spread of mangroves beyond their current distribution into the interior Deltaic Plain and Chenier Plain.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency of extreme freeze events controls the distribution and structure of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) near their northern range limit in coastal Louisiana

Osland

Day

Michot

2020

Diversity and Distributions

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Aim Climate change is expected to result in the tropicalization of coastal wetlands in the northern Gulf of Mexico, as warming winters allow tropical mangrove forests to expand their distribution poleward at the expense of temperate salt marshes. Data limitations near mangrove range limits have hindered understanding of the effects of winter temperature extremes on mangrove distribution and structure. Here, we investigated the influence of extreme freeze events on the abundance, height and coverage of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) near their northern range limit in Louisiana. Location Coastal Louisiana, USA. Methods We quantified the relationships between the frequency of extreme freeze events and A. germinans abundance, height and coverage using: (a) mangrove observation points recorded via aerial surveys from a fixed‐wing aircraft; (b) 30 years of temperature data; and (c) mangrove mortality and leaf damage temperature thresholds. We used freeze frequency data and mangrove–climate relationships to evaluate and spatially depict the risk of A. germinans freeze damage across Louisiana. Results We identified strong negative relationships between the frequency of extreme freeze events and A. germinans abundance, height and coverage. Avicennia germinans is most abundant, tall and continuous along the south‐eastern outer coast of Louisiana, where the frequency of extreme freeze events is reduced (i.e., lower risk of mangrove freeze damage) by the buffering effects of comparatively warm Gulf of Mexico waters. Conversely, the risk of A. germinans freeze damage has historically been very high across Louisiana's Chenier Plain and within more inland wetlands in the Deltaic Plain. Main conclusions Our analyses advance understanding of how the frequency of extreme freeze events controls the distribution, height and coverage of A. germinans near its northern range limit. In addition to informing climate‐smart coastal restoration efforts, our findings can be used to better anticipate and prepare for the tropicalization of temperate wetlands due to climate change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency of extreme freeze events controls the distribution and structure of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) near their northern range limit in coastal Louisiana

Osland

Day

Michot

2020

Diversity and Distributions

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“…There is growing interest and concern for tidal freshwater wetlands because of increasing water allocations from rivers and sea level rise. There has been extensive work looking at tidal freshwater marshes (Simpson et al , 1983; Odum et al , 1984; Pasternack and Brush, 1998; Perry and Hershner, 1999; Baldwin et al , 2001); however, scientific interest in tidal freshwater forests has been more sporadic (Brinson et al , 1985; Rheinhardt, 1992; Verhoeven et al , 2001) but increasing (Conner et al , 2007a; Krauss et al , 2009). It is apparent these wetlands are influenced by tides but information on more specific hydrologic trends is uncommon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seasonal Patterns of River Connectivity and Saltwater Intrusion in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands

Anderson

Lockaby

2011

River Research & Apps

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Hydrology can be difficult to interpret in tidal freshwater forested wetlands because of several influencing factors including river discharge, tidal stage, local precipitation, evapotranspiration, groundwater and prevailing winds. River discharge and tidal stage are considered the primary factors affecting these wetlands and both vary on a seasonal basis and have potential implications for wetland saltwater intrusion. We examined the hydrologic patterns of tidal freshwater swamps along the lower reach (20 km) of the Apalachicola River system in northwest Florida, USA. Water level recorders were installed in five wetlands along this reach and recorded ground and surface water levels at 15-min intervals from December 2006 to April 2009 (non-continuously). Seasonal trends related to flooding frequency and duration were compared to long term (2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) records of creek and river salinities measured in the tidal freshwater forested zone. Tidal freshwater swamps tended to maintain a narrow water level range (often AE20 cm of the ground surface) except during high river flows (>680 cms or 24 000 cfs) when levels increased 1 to 2 m above ground and dampened tidal effects. All tidal forested wetlands had the highest mean water levels and most days tidally pulsed during the Jul-Oct season which coincided with peak river/creek salinities and low river-flows associated with drought conditions. We explored the implications for the timing of salt water intrusion in these swamps and potential changes related to sea level rise and water management in the Apalachicola River drainage basin.

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“…Especially in floodplain wetlands, the fluvial action of flooding under a particular set of basin structure creates a mosaic of habitat patches across the landscape (Ward et al 1999). Here, some species may be restricted to permanently flooded stagnant wetlands, while the others are found in the areas experiencing fluctuating hydroperiods (Conner and Day Jr 1982;Cherry 2011). Nonetheless, plant assemblages are also strongly influenced by the topographic variations in the aquatic ecosystems, which are the result of the incoming water and sediment regimes in the fluvial system (Bendix and Hupp 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in species assemblages due to micro-topography and flow regime govern vegetation carbon stock in seasonal floodplain wetlands

2019

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Hypothesis: Variation in species assemblages due to micro-topographic features and flow regime determine vegetation carbon stock in floodplain wetlands.Material and method: We tested this hypothesis in Chatla-a tropical floodplain wetland located in northeast India. Five sampling stations characterized by contrasting micro-topographic and flow parameters were selected in the wetland for study. Species composition, assemblage pattern, and vegetation carbon stock were studied in these stations during three flood phases, i.e., early, middle, and late flood phases following standard methods. Univariate and multivariate statistics were used to determine the relationship between the selected environmental parameters, plant species assemblages, and vegetation carbon stock of the wetland.Results: Thirty-one species of herbs and five species of shrubs were recorded from the five stations in Chatla floodplain wetland. Flow regime characterized by water flow velocity and discharge showed substantial variations across the stations. These parameters in turn are related to variations in the micro-topographic characteristics namely depth, width, and cross-sectional area of the stations. Plant species composition and abundance differed significantly with respect to micro-topography and flow regime as revealed by the cluster diagram. The canonical correspondence analysis revealed strong association of plant species assemblages with the micro-topography and flow regime within the wetland. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship of the vegetation carbon stock with the water discharge. Conclusions: Spatial variation in plant species diversity because of micro-topography and flow regime determines the vegetation carbon stock in floodplain wetlands. Modification of these parameters by anthropogenic activities such as mining and quarrying may potentially influence the carbon stocking potential of seasonal floodplain wetlands. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to maintain the integrity of the natural topographic features of such wetlands.

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Ecology of Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands of the Southeastern United States

Cited by 64 publications

References 107 publications

Frequency of extreme freeze events controls the distribution and structure of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) near their northern range limit in coastal Louisiana

Frequency of extreme freeze events controls the distribution and structure of black mangroves (Avicennia germinans) near their northern range limit in coastal Louisiana

Seasonal Patterns of River Connectivity and Saltwater Intrusion in Tidal Freshwater Forested Wetlands

Variation in species assemblages due to micro-topography and flow regime govern vegetation carbon stock in seasonal floodplain wetlands

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