Environmental Impacts—Coastal Ecosystems

Bakker, Jan P.; Baas, Andreas; Bartholdy, Jesper; Jones, Laurence; Ruessink, Gerben; Temmerman, Stijn; Pol, Martijn van de

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-39745-0_9

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 180 publications

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“…Soil formation in a salt marsh occurs by accumulation of sediment and plant biomass, and allows marshes to accrete vertically in response to rising sea levels (Bakker et al . ; Boyd & Sommerfield ). Our analyses revealed that grazers compact the sediment and reduce AGB, but this did not translate into a significant overall reduction in accretion rates (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, accretion rates are highly context‐dependent, driven by local factors such as sediment input (Bakker et al . ), which may mask the effects of grazing in some studies. In light of the results of our coded meta‐analysis (11 out of 13 entries presented negative results for accretion), we recommend further research on the mechanisms and context‐dependency of livestock impacts, as reduced capacity for vertical accretion could lead to submergence under rising seas with concomitant loss in the provision of all services.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Livestock grazing alters multiple ecosystem properties and services in salt marshes: a meta‐analysis

Davidson

Fowler

Skov

et al. 2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

114

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Summary The far‐reaching impacts of livestock grazing in terrestrial grasslands are widely appreciated, but how livestock affect the structure and functions of sensitive coastal ecosystems has hitherto lacked synthesis. Grazing‐induced changes in salt marshes have the potential to alter the provision of valuable ecosystem services, such as coastal protection, blue carbon and biodiversity conservation. To investigate how livestock alter soil, vegetation and faunal properties in salt marshes, we conducted a global meta‐analysis of ungulate grazer impacts on commonly measured ecosystem properties (498 individual responses from 89 studies). We also tested stocking density, grazing duration, grazer identity, continent and vegetation type as potential modifiers of the grazing effect. The majority of studies were conducted in Europe (75) or the Americas (12), and investigated cattle (43) or sheep (22) grazing. All measures of above‐ground plant material (height, cover, above‐ground biomass, litter) were decreased by grazing, potentially impairing coastal protection through diminished wave attenuation. Soil carbon was reduced by grazing in American, but not European marshes, indicating a trade‐off with climate regulation that varies geographically. Additionally, grazing increased soil bulk density, salinity and daytime temperature, and reduced redox potential. Biodiversity responses depended on focal group, with positive effects of grazing on vegetation species richness, but negative effects on invertebrate richness. Grazing reduced the abundance of herbivorous invertebrates, which may affect fish and crustaceans that feed in the marsh. Overall vertebrate abundance was not affected, but there was provisional evidence for increases over a longer duration of grazing, potentially increasing birdwatching and wildfowling opportunities. Synthesis and applications. Our results reveal that the use of salt marshes for livestock production affects multiple ecosystem properties, creating trade‐offs and synergies with other ecosystem services. Grazing leads to reductions in blue carbon in the Americas but not in Europe. Grazing may compromise coastal protection and the provision of a nursery habitat for fish while creating provisioning and cultural benefits through increased wildfowl abundance. These findings can inform salt marsh grazing management, based on local context and desired ecosystem services.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Livestock grazing alters multiple ecosystem properties and services in salt marshes: a meta‐analysis

Davidson

Fowler

Skov

et al. 2017

Journal of Applied Ecology

114

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“…Moreover, they often grow in an undulating landscape with variable exposure and slope, resulting in a high variability of microclimates. Thanks to these features, they host a large variety of species, often rare, endemic or endangered, and a very high number of different plant communities (Bioret, Lazare, & Géhu, ; Del Vecchio, Giovi, Izzi, Abbate, & Acosta, ; Del Vecchio, Mattana, Acosta, & Bacchetta, ; Martínez et al., ), which, alongside serious anthropogenic threats, makes them habitats of major conservation concern (Bakker et al., ; Janssen et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

Vecchio

Fantinato

Janssen

et al. 2018

Applied Vegetation Science

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Question: Coastal environments have often been described as azonal. While this characteristic is clear for the foredune system, it seems less evident for more inland fixed dunes, which host habitats of major conservation concern, whose features seem to be more related to local climatic conditions. We hypothesized that, unlike other coastal habitats, dune perennial grasslands differ floristically and structurally across their European range and that patterns of variation are linked to the corresponding climate. Location: European coasts (Atlantic Ocean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Black Sea). Methods: We used a large data set of phytosociological relevés, representative of coastal grasslands throughout their European range. The role of climatic variables (temperature, precipitation and continentality) in determining the variability in species composition and vegetation structure (by means of life forms) was investigated through CCA, DCA and GLM. The degree of concentration of species occurrences within groups was calculated through the Phi coefficient.Results: Through multivariate analyses we identified seven major types of coastal grassland, corresponding to different geographic areas. The groups significantly differed in their climatic envelope, as well as in their species composition and community structure. Conclusion:Our results confirm the hypothesis that coastal dune perennial grasslands are subjected to local climate, which exerts significant effects on both floristic composition and community structure. As a consequence, coastal grasslands are particularly prone to the effect of possible climate change, which may alter species composition and distribution, and lead to shifts in the distribution of native plant communities. K E Y W O R D S

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“…According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report (IPCC AR5; Church et al, 2013), SLR is predicted to increase by 30-100 cm by 2100 and will thus reshape coastal wetlands globally. This is of particular concern in all those areas (e.g., the Mississippi Delta or the Venice Lagoon) where sediment accretion rates are too low as to compensate for relative SLR (Bakker et al, 2016). Here, the extensive die-back of marsh vegetation (Kearney, Rogers, Townshend, Rizzo, & Stutzer, 2002) or habitat loss (Mander, Cutts, Allen, & Mazik, 2007;Pye & Blott, 2006) will affect other population of dependent organisms (Fujii & Raffaelli, 2008;Galbraith, Jones, Park, Clough, & Herrod-Julius, 2002;Hughes, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, the extensive die-back of marsh vegetation (Kearney, Rogers, Townshend, Rizzo, & Stutzer, 2002) or habitat loss (Mander, Cutts, Allen, & Mazik, 2007;Pye & Blott, 2006) will affect other population of dependent organisms (Fujii & Raffaelli, 2008;Galbraith, Jones, Park, Clough, & Herrod-Julius, 2002;Hughes, 2004). In particular, accelerated SLR is likely to affect the salt marsh halophyte vertical distribution: depending on the level of change, some communities may adapt to sea level rise while others may either disappear or migrate inland-provided that there is suitable area inland (Bakker et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The fate of coastal habitats in the Venice Lagoon from the sea level rise perspective

et al. 2018

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A B S T R A C TCoastal wetlands worldwide are retreating owing to several anthropogenic pressures and accelerated sea level rise (SLR). The importance of preserving salt marshes and the services they provide is being increasingly recognized and wetlands have become the target of several international initiatives and conservation regulations. Thus, geospatial models with applicable high spatial resolution results estimating the potential development of wetland habitats under climate change are urgently needed in order to prepare proper conservation measures and management strategies in an opportune moment. This study aimed at predicting the potential impact of SLR on salt marsh habitats in the Venice Lagoon. Habitat turnover over time was modelled based on a fine-scale vegetation map, relative elevation measurements, and most relevant environmental data (subsidence and accretion) connected with SLR. Three model-based SLR scenarios (GFDL P50, RCP4.5, RCP8.5) and the local linear trend were considered. Clear differences between the northern and southern parts of the lagoon emerged. By 2075, 37 to 48% (model-based scenarios) or even 51% (linear scenario) of the Venice lagoon coastal habitats could lie under water. Although nearly all habitats evidenced a decrease in their extent by 2050 and beyond, our results also suggest that different types of marshes will respond differently to SLR. Exactly this information (what, where and when) is of crucial importance for decision makers to initiate enhance planning and management policies. Moreover, the forecasted changes in tidal marsh area and the presented cost effective methodological approach is transferable to other temperate areas faced with comparable SLR rates.

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Environmental Impacts—Coastal Ecosystems

Cited by 14 publications

References 180 publications

Livestock grazing alters multiple ecosystem properties and services in salt marshes: a meta‐analysis

Livestock grazing alters multiple ecosystem properties and services in salt marshes: a meta‐analysis

Biogeographic variability of coastal perennial grasslands at the European scale

The fate of coastal habitats in the Venice Lagoon from the sea level rise perspective

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