Microtopography enhances nitrogen cycling and removal in created mitigation wetlands

Wolf, Kristin L.; Ahn, Changwoo; Noe, Gregory B.

doi:10.1016/j.ecoleng.2011.03.013

Cited by 61 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Previous studies indicate that microtopography can greatly increase the overall area available for NR (Wolf et al, 2011); this study suggests that microtopography is only one of the difficulties presented in using marsh surface area as a scaling parameter. Non-synchronous flooding of surfaces of similar elevations as a function of travel time from the tidal inlet is an important issue in this system.…”

Section: Geomorphic Data and Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Use of geomorphic, hydrologic, and nitrogen mass balance data to model ecosystem nitrate retention in tidal freshwater wetlands

Seldomridge

Prestegaard

2012

Biogeosciences

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Abstract. Geomorphic characteristics have been used as scaling parameters to predict water and other fluxes in many systems. In this study, we combined geomorphic analysis with in-situ mass balance studies of nitrate retention (NR) to evaluate which geomorphic scaling parameters best predicted NR in a tidal freshwater wetland ecosystem. Geomorphic characteristics were measured for 267 individual marshes that constitute the freshwater tidal wetland ecosystem of the Patuxent River, Maryland. Nitrate retention was determined from mass balance measurements conducted at the inlets of marshes of varying size (671, 5705, and 536 873 m 2 ) over a period of several years. Mass balance measurements indicate that NR is proportional to total water flux over the tidal cycle. Relationships between estimated tidal prism (calculated water volume) for spring tides and various geomorphic parameters (marsh area, total channel length, and inlet width) were defined using measurements from air photos and compared to field data. From these data, NR equations were determined for each geomorphic parameter, and used to estimate NR for all marshes in the ecosystem for a reference spring (high) tide. The resulting ecosystem NR estimates were evaluated for (a) accuracy and completeness of geomorphic data, (b) relationship between the geomorphic parameters and hydrologic flux, and (c) the ability to adapt the geomorphic parameter to varying tidal conditions. This analysis indicated that inlet width data were the most complete and provided the best estimate of ecosystem nitrate retention. Predictions based on marsh area were significantly lower than the inlet width-based predictions. Cumulative probability distributions of nitrate retention indicate that the largest 3-4 % of the marshes retained half of the total nitrate for the ecosystem.

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Section: Geomorphic Data and Relationshipsmentioning

confidence: 92%

Use of geomorphic, hydrologic, and nitrogen mass balance data to model ecosystem nitrate retention in tidal freshwater wetlands

Seldomridge

Prestegaard

2012

Biogeosciences

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“…Microtopography influences the frequency and duration of flooding (Rheinhardt 1992) and creates variation in biogeochemical cycling (Darke and Walbridge 2000). Microtopographic relief results in adjacent areas of aerobic and anaerobic soil, which facilitate nutrient cycling (Bridgham et al 2001;Mosier et al 2009) including carbon sequestration and N cycling and removal (Wolf et al 2011). Higher rates of litterfall production and phosphorus and cation (K, Mg) circulation have been found on lower, wetter sites in the floodplain relative to higher, drier sites (Schilling and Lockaby 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial Variability in Sedimentation, Carbon Sequestration, and Nutrient Accumulation in an Alluvial Floodplain Forest

Bannister

Craft

2014

The Role of Natural and Constructed Wetlands in Nutrient Cycling and Retention on the Landscape

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We measured soil properties, vertical accretion, and nutrient (organic C, N, and P) accumulation across a range of habitats to evaluate spatial variability of soil properties and processes of alluvial floodplain wetlands of the Altamaha River, Georgia, USA. The habitats vary in elevation and distance from the river channel, creating differences in the depth and duration of inundation. Habitats closer to the river had lower bulk density and higher total P than habitats further removed.137 Cs and 210 Pb accretion rates were also greater at sites closer to the channel. Mineral sediment deposition and nutrient accumulation were greater in sloughs closer to the channel and lower in elevation relative to other habitats. We found distance to be a significant predictor of mineral soil properties across the floodplain. Bulk density increased whereas TP and silt content decreased with distance from the river channel.137 Cs accretion, P accumulation, and mineral sediment deposition also decreased with distance from the main channel. Elevation was not a significant predictor of soil properties or processes measured. Long-term (100 year) sediment accumulation rates based on 210 Pb were significantly higher than 50-year rate of sedimentation based on 137 Cs, perhaps as the result of greater land clearing for agriculture and lack of best management practices in the southeastern USA prior to 1950. Distance from the main channel is the driving force behind the spatial variability of soil properties and processes measured; however, slough habitats closest to the channel and lowest in elevation relative to other habitats maintain distinct vegetation patterns and are hotspots for N, P, and sediment accumulation. Characterization of soil properties and processes of alluvial floodplain forests and other wetlands should take into consideration microtopographic and spatial variation across the wetland.

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“…For example, white spruce (Picea glauca) communities at channels and concave slopes can provide higher green shading coverage and more carbon sequestration than those at ridges and convex slopes, confirming the crucial role of human-created microtopography in facilitating ecosystem restoration. 4 In conclusion, although recreating microtopography benefits ecosystem restoration, problems and perplexities still remain, partly due to the complexity of microtopography and the absence of systematic observations. For example, although we acknowledge that scientific microtopography re-establishment may play key roles in improving habitat and vegetation rehabilitation, it remains unclear how much effect (the detailed and precise data) microtopography has or will have on local ecosystems, particularly when other natural or artificial factors are involved.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Third, manmade microtopography can create different microclimatic conditions, which are significant for seed germination and sapling upgrowth. Light interception, water thermal exchange, near-surface wind (velocity and direction), air temperature, and soil evaporation may differ across recreated suitable microlandforms, 3,4 resulting in improved habitat and vegetation succession. Fourth, microtopography affects soil seed bank and potential plant distribution.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 In the desert pastures of New Mexico, a strong correlation between microtopography and the coverage of perennial grass (R 2 = 91%) was found, whereas the loss of microtopography caused by livestock trampling hinders plant growth, exacerbating erosion process, and contributing to desertification. 4 In the arid and semiarid regions of Chinese Loess Plateau (Figure 1), large-scale soil and water conservation methods, such as created fish-scale pits, horizontal ditch and zig terrace on slopes, and check-dam construction in channels, have greatly reduced downstream river flow and sediment load, helping to achieve the goal of vegetation recovery. 5 Man-made microtopography benefits ecosystem restoration through a causal chain of processes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Microtopography Recreation Benefits Ecosystem Restoration

Wei

Chen

Yang

et al. 2012

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microtopography enhances nitrogen cycling and removal in created mitigation wetlands

Cited by 61 publications

References 53 publications

Use of geomorphic, hydrologic, and nitrogen mass balance data to model ecosystem nitrate retention in tidal freshwater wetlands

Use of geomorphic, hydrologic, and nitrogen mass balance data to model ecosystem nitrate retention in tidal freshwater wetlands

Spatial Variability in Sedimentation, Carbon Sequestration, and Nutrient Accumulation in an Alluvial Floodplain Forest

Microtopography Recreation Benefits Ecosystem Restoration

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