Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2936-2951 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Limnology and oceanography |
| Volume | 66 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Publication status | Published - 17 Jul 2021 |
Abstract
Although tidal marshes are known for their coastal defense function during storm surges, the impact of extreme wave forcing on tidal marsh development is poorly understood. Seedling survival in the first season after germination, which may involve exposure to extreme wave events, is crucial for the natural establishment and human restoration of marshes. We hypothesize that species-specific plant traits plays a significant role in seedlings survival and response to wave induced stress, i.e., through stem bending and uprooting. To test this hypothesis, seedlings of pioneer species (Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Spartina anglica, and Puccinellia maritima) with contrasting biophysical traits were placed in the Large Wave Flume in Hannover (Germany) and exposed to storm wave conditions. Seedlings of P. maritima and S. anglica experienced a lower loss rate and bending angle after wave exposure compared to S. tabernaemontani and especially B. maritimus. The higher loss rates of B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani result from deeper scouring around the stem base. Scouring depth was larger around stems of greater diameter and higher resistance to bending. Here, B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani have both thicker and stiffer stems than S. anglica and P. maritima. Our results show that especially seedlings with thicker stems suffer from erosion and scouring, and have the highest risk of being lost during extreme wave events. This implies that for successful seedling establishment and eventually the establishment of a mature tidal marsh vegetation, the species composition and their capacity to cope with storm wave disturbances is crucial.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Oceanography
- Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)
- Aquatic Science
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In: Limnology and oceanography, Vol. 66, No. 7, 17.07.2021, p. 2936-2951.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Survival of the thickest? Impacts of extreme wave-forcing on marsh seedlings are mediated by species morphology
AU - Schoutens, Ken
AU - Reents, Svenja
AU - Nolte, Stefanie
AU - Evans, Ben
AU - Paul, Maike
AU - Kudella, Matthias
AU - Bouma, Tjeerd
AU - Möller, Iris
AU - Temmerman, Stijn
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography.
PY - 2021/7/17
Y1 - 2021/7/17
N2 - Although tidal marshes are known for their coastal defense function during storm surges, the impact of extreme wave forcing on tidal marsh development is poorly understood. Seedling survival in the first season after germination, which may involve exposure to extreme wave events, is crucial for the natural establishment and human restoration of marshes. We hypothesize that species-specific plant traits plays a significant role in seedlings survival and response to wave induced stress, i.e., through stem bending and uprooting. To test this hypothesis, seedlings of pioneer species (Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Spartina anglica, and Puccinellia maritima) with contrasting biophysical traits were placed in the Large Wave Flume in Hannover (Germany) and exposed to storm wave conditions. Seedlings of P. maritima and S. anglica experienced a lower loss rate and bending angle after wave exposure compared to S. tabernaemontani and especially B. maritimus. The higher loss rates of B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani result from deeper scouring around the stem base. Scouring depth was larger around stems of greater diameter and higher resistance to bending. Here, B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani have both thicker and stiffer stems than S. anglica and P. maritima. Our results show that especially seedlings with thicker stems suffer from erosion and scouring, and have the highest risk of being lost during extreme wave events. This implies that for successful seedling establishment and eventually the establishment of a mature tidal marsh vegetation, the species composition and their capacity to cope with storm wave disturbances is crucial.
AB - Although tidal marshes are known for their coastal defense function during storm surges, the impact of extreme wave forcing on tidal marsh development is poorly understood. Seedling survival in the first season after germination, which may involve exposure to extreme wave events, is crucial for the natural establishment and human restoration of marshes. We hypothesize that species-specific plant traits plays a significant role in seedlings survival and response to wave induced stress, i.e., through stem bending and uprooting. To test this hypothesis, seedlings of pioneer species (Bolboschoenus maritimus, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani, Spartina anglica, and Puccinellia maritima) with contrasting biophysical traits were placed in the Large Wave Flume in Hannover (Germany) and exposed to storm wave conditions. Seedlings of P. maritima and S. anglica experienced a lower loss rate and bending angle after wave exposure compared to S. tabernaemontani and especially B. maritimus. The higher loss rates of B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani result from deeper scouring around the stem base. Scouring depth was larger around stems of greater diameter and higher resistance to bending. Here, B. maritimus and S. tabernaemontani have both thicker and stiffer stems than S. anglica and P. maritima. Our results show that especially seedlings with thicker stems suffer from erosion and scouring, and have the highest risk of being lost during extreme wave events. This implies that for successful seedling establishment and eventually the establishment of a mature tidal marsh vegetation, the species composition and their capacity to cope with storm wave disturbances is crucial.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85107001596&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/lno.11850
DO - 10.1002/lno.11850
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85107001596
VL - 66
SP - 2936
EP - 2951
JO - Limnology and oceanography
JF - Limnology and oceanography
SN - 0024-3590
IS - 7
ER -