Spatial patterns, rates and mechanisms of saltmarsh cycles (Westerschelde, The Netherlands)

Wal, Daphne van der; Dool, A. Wielemaker-Van den; Herman, Peter M. J.

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.07.017

Cited by 107 publications

(132 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This result was similar to that by Belluco et al [67], who used high spatial resolution hyperspectral imagery to assess the spatial distribution of halophyte patches. Van der Wal et al [96] used a 30-year time series of aerial photos to map the evolution of salt marsh vegetation in the Westerschelde estuary (Netherlands) and showed general stability of the vegetation cover. The presence of pioneer vegetation was shown to be very effective in reducing the lateral erosion of the marsh, which was also compensated by the accretion of the mudflat adjacent to the marsh edge.…”

Section: Salt Marshesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Remote sensing imagery has been used to map coastal topography and flooding [56,63,[82][83][84][85][86] and to map physiological responses of vegetation to salinity or pollution [87][88][89][90]. Some studies have used remote sensing to map coastal or vegetation change over time at two, or a few, time points [91][92][93][94][95][96][97], including analyses of effects of invasive species [59,98]. However, mapping vegetation or topography at even a few points in time provides insufficient evidence to validate the theoretical dynamic equilibria, oscillations, or rapid state changes that would characterize systems truly exhibiting multiple stable states.…”

Section: Invoking Multiple Stable State Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiple Stable States and Catastrophic Shifts in Coastal Wetlands: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Validating Theory Using Remote Sensing and Other Methods

et al. 2015

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Multiple stable states are established in coastal tidal wetlands (marshes, mangroves, deltas, seagrasses) by ecological, hydrological, and geomorphological feedbacks. Catastrophic shifts between states can be induced by gradual environmental change or by disturbance events. These feedbacks and outcomes are key to the sustainability and resilience of vegetated coastlines, especially as modulated by human activity, sea level rise, and climate change. Whereas multiple stable state theory has been invoked to model salt marsh responses to sediment supply and sea level change, there has been comparatively little empirical verification of the theory for salt marshes or other coastal wetlands. Especially lacking is long-term evidence documenting if or how stable states are established and maintained at ecosystem scales. Laboratory and field-plot studies are informative, but of necessarily limited spatial and temporal scope. For the purposes of long-term, coastal-scale monitoring, remote sensing is the best viable option. This review summarizes the above topics and highlights the emerging promise and challenges of using remote sensing-based analyses to validate coastal OPEN ACCESS Remote Sens. 2015, 7 10185 wetland dynamic state theories. This significant opportunity is further framed by a proposed list of scientific advances needed to more thoroughly develop the field.

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Section: Salt Marshesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Invoking Multiple Stable State Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Stable States and Catastrophic Shifts in Coastal Wetlands: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Validating Theory Using Remote Sensing and Other Methods

et al. 2015

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“…An example is the dependence of salt marsh development on tidal flat topography (Van der Wal et al 2008;Callaghan et al 2010). Requirements that the total area of salt marshes remains constant leads to management interventions to defend marshes (e.g., with stone walls) when the tidal flat recedes as a consequence of enlarging navigation channels.…”

Section: Common Challenges and Research Demandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-Morphological Problems in the Yangtze Estuary and the Western Scheldt

et al. 2011

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This paper compares the Yangtze Estuary in China and the Western Scheldt Estuary in The Netherlands by their morphodynamic and ecological systems, their engineering works and estuarine management issues, and the major challenges in studying them. Physically speaking, the two estuaries are very different. The Yangtze Estuary is much larger and much more influenced by the upstream river than the Western Scheldt. Yet, they also have a number of morphological and ecological features in common. Both estuaries have a multi-channel system and extensive intertidal flats and wetlands with ecologically valuable flora and fauna. These eco-morphological systems are influenced by similar societal developments and human activities. Examples of the latter are engineering works and dredging activities for improving and maintaining the navigation channels, and shoreline management activities including land reclamations and setbacks. The fundamental eco-morphological phenomena that remain to be analysed and understood are the same for the two estuaries and will be discussed in this paper.

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“…Salt marsh plants generally survive in areas where hydrodynamic conditions are already benign (low wave and current stress, low inundation stress, low sediment disturbance) and, hence, sediment is fine (e.g., Van der Wal et al 2008a). In addition, the salt marsh plants facilitate accumulation of fine and organic-rich sediment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem Engineering Effects of Aster tripolium and Salicornia procumbens Salt Marsh on Macrofaunal Community Structure

Wal

Herman

2011

Estuaries and Coasts

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This paper examines how perennial Aster tripolium and annual Salicornia procumbens salt marshes alter the biomass, density, taxon diversity, and community structure of benthic macrofauna, and also examines the role of elevation, sediment grain size, plant cover, and marsh age. Core samples were collected on a fixed grid on an intertidal flat in the Westerschelde estuary (51.4°N, 4.1°E) over 5 years (2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008) of salt marsh development. In unvegetated areas, macrobenthic biomass, density, and taxon diversity were highest when elevation was highest, benthic diatoms were most abundant, and sediment median grain size was smallest. In contrast, in salt marsh areas, macrobenthic biomass and taxon diversity increased with median grain size, while the effects of elevation and diatom abundance on macrobenthic biomass, density, and diversity were not significant. In fine sediments, macrofaunal community structure in the salt marsh was particularly affected; common polychaetes such as Nereis diversicolor, Heteromastus filiformis, and Pygospio elegans had low abundance and oligochaetes had high abundance. Marsh age had a negative influence on the density of macrofauna, and A. tripolium stands had lower macrofaunal densities than the younger S. procumbens stands. There were no significant effects of marsh age, plant cover, and vegetation type on macrobenthic biomass, taxon diversity, and community structure. The results highlight that ecosystem engineering effects of salt marsh plants on macrofauna are conditional. Organic enrichment of the sediment and mechanical hindering of macrofaunal activity by plant roots are proposed as plausible mechanisms for the influence of the salt marsh plants on macrofauna.

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Spatial patterns, rates and mechanisms of saltmarsh cycles (Westerschelde, The Netherlands)

Cited by 107 publications

References 42 publications

Multiple Stable States and Catastrophic Shifts in Coastal Wetlands: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Validating Theory Using Remote Sensing and Other Methods

Multiple Stable States and Catastrophic Shifts in Coastal Wetlands: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities in Validating Theory Using Remote Sensing and Other Methods

Eco-Morphological Problems in the Yangtze Estuary and the Western Scheldt

Ecosystem Engineering Effects of Aster tripolium and Salicornia procumbens Salt Marsh on Macrofaunal Community Structure

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