Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sediment characteristics of a restored saltmarsh and mudflat in a managed realignment scheme in Southeast England

  • Thames Estuary
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sediment characteristics and vegetation composition were measured in a restored and natural saltmarsh and mudflat at Wallasea Island managed realignment scheme (Essex, UK) from January to December 2007. The similar sediment characteristics in the restored and natural mudflat indicated that the sediment in the restored mudflat was approaching natural conditions. However, the sediment characteristics in the restored saltmarsh were not becoming similar to those in the natural saltmarsh. The sediment moisture content, organic matter content and porosity were lower while the sediment bulk density, salinity and pH were higher in the restored compared to the natural saltmarsh. The dissimilarities were mainly due to differences in the vegetation abundance and organic matter content. Although, 18 months after restoration the restored saltmarsh was only sparsely vegetated and there was no net change in the sediment characteristics, the occurrence of Salicornia europaea L. demonstrated that pioneer saltmarsh vegetation establishment preceded the development of sediment characteristics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ABPmer, 2004. Wallasea Island North Bank Realignment: Environmental Statement. Report R.1114. ABP Marine Environmental Research Limited, Southhampton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, J. E., D. Burgess, R. R. Cave, E. G. Coombes, T. D. Jickells, D. J. Parkes & R. K. Turner, 2006. Biogeochemical value of managed realignment, Humber estuary, UK. Science of the Total Environment 371: 19–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bertness, M. D., L. Gough & S. W. Shumway, 1992. Salt tolerances and the distribution of fugitive salt-marsh plants. Ecology 73: 1842–1851.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishel-Machung, L., R. P. Brooks, S. S. Yates & K. L. Hoover, 1996. Soil properties of reference wetlands and wetland creation projects in Pennsylvania. Wetlands 16: 532–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackwell, M. S. A., D. V. Hogan & E. Maltby, 2004. The short-term impact of managed realignment on soil environmental variables and hydrology. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 59: 687–701.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolam, S. G. & P. Whomersley, 2005. Development of macrofaunal communities on dredged material used for mudflat enhancement: a comparison of three beneficial use schemes after one year. Marine Pollution Bulletin 50: 40–47.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bolam, S. G., P. Whomersley & M. Schratzberger, 2004. Macrofaunal recolonization on intertidal mudflats: effect of sediment organic and sand content. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 306: 157–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, S. L., 2008. Wash Banks Flood Defence Scheme—Freiston Environmental Monitoring 2007. R&D Technical Report FD1911/TR. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cave, R. R., J. E. Andrews, T. Jickells & E. G. Coombes, 2005. A review of sediment contamination by trace metals in the Humber catchment and estuary, and the implications for future estuary water quality. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 62: 547–557.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, N. J., D. J. Leggett, N. I. Pontee & C. R. Elliott, 2004. The role of physical processes in the design of ‘managed retreat’ schemes. Littoral 2004: 1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craft, C., J. Reader, J. N. Sacco & S. W. Broome, 1999. Twenty-five years of ecosystem development of constructed Spartina alterniflora (Loisel) marshes. Ecological Applications 9: 1405–1419.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craft, C., S. Broome & C. Campbell, 2002. Fifteen years of vegetation and soil development after brackish-water marsh creation. Restoration Ecology 10: 248–258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crooks, S. & K. Pye, 2000. Sedimentological controls on the erosional loss of saltmarshes: implications for flood defence and habitat creation. In Pye, K. & J. R. L. Allen (eds), Coastal and Estuarine Environments: Sedimentology, Geomorphology and Geoarchaeology. Geological Society, Bath: 207–222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crooks, S., J. Schutten, G. D. Sheern, K. Pye & A. J. Davy, 2002. Drainage and elevation as factors in the restoration of salt marsh in Britain. Restoration Ecology 10: 591–602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, K. R. & C. E. Proffitt, 2003. Comparison of wetland structural characteristics between created and natural salt marshes in Southwest Louisiana, USA. Wetlands 23: 344–356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erfanzadeh, R., A. Garbutt, J. Petillon, J. Maelfait & M. Hoffmann, 2010. Factors affecting the success of early saltmarsh colonizers: seed availability rather than site suitability and dispersal traits. Plant Ecology 206: 335–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fearnley, S., 2008. The soil physical and chemical properties of restored and natural back-barrier salt marsh on Isles Dernieres, Louisiana. Journal of Coastal Research 24: 84–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • French, P. W., 2006. Managed realignment—the developing story of a comparatively new approach to soft engineering. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 67: 409–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garbutt, R. A., C. J. Reading, M. Wolters, A. J. Gray & P. Rothery, 2006. Monitoring the development of intertidal habitats on former agricultural land after the managed realignment of coastal defences at Tollesbury, Essex, UK. Marine Pollution Bulletin 53: 155–164.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huckle, J. M., J. A. Potter & R. H. Marrs, 2000. Influence of environmental factors on the growth and interactions between salt marsh plants: effects of salinity, sediment and water-logging. Journal of Ecology 88: 492–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kentula, M. E., 2000. Perspectives on setting success criteria for wetland restoration. Ecological Engineering 15: 199–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martins, I. & J. C. Marques, 2002. A model for the growth of opportunistic macroalgae (Enteromorpha sp.) in tidal Estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 55: 247–257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McBride, M. B., 1994. Environmental Chemistry of Soils. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitsch, W. J. & J. G. Gosselink, 2000. Wetlands. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montalto, F. A. & T. S. Steenhuis, 2004. The link between hydrology and restoration of tidal marshes in the New York/New Jersey estuary. Wetlands 24: 414–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moy, L. D. & L. A. Levin, 1991. Are Spartina marshes a replaceable resource a functional approach to evaluation of marsh creation efforts? Estuaries 14: 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Otero, X. L. & F. Macias, 2002. Spatial and seasonal variation in heavy metals in interstitial water of salt marsh soils. Environmental Pollution 120: 183–190.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pardal, M. A., J. C. Marques, I. Metelo, A. I. Lillebo & M. R. Flindt, 2000. Impact of eutrophication on the life cycle, population dynamics and production of Ampithoe valida (Amphipoda) along an estuarine spatial gradient (Mondego estuary, Portugal). Marine Ecology Progress Series 196: 207–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Portnoy, J. W. & A. E. Giblin, 1997. Biogeochemical effects of seawater restoration to diked salt marshes. Ecological Applications 7: 1054–1063.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowell, D. L., 1994. Soil science: Methods and Applications. Longman Scientific & Technical, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santin, C., J. M. De La Rosa, H. Knicker, X. L. Otero, M. A. Alvarez & F. J. Gonzalez-Vila, 2009. Effects of reclamation and regeneration processes on organic matter from estuarine soils and sediments. Organic Geochemistry 40: 931–941.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shafer, D. J. & W. J. Streever, 2000. A comparison of 28 natural and dredged material salt marshes in Texas with an emphasis on geomorphological variables. Wetlands Ecology and Management 8: 353–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shepherd, D., D. Burgess, T. Jickells, J. Andrews, R. Cave, R. K. Turner, J. Aldridge, E. R. Parker & E. Young, 2007. Modelling the effects and economics of managed realignment on the cycling and storage of nutrients, carbon and sediments in the Blackwater estuary UK. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science 73: 355–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spencer, K. L., A. B. Cundy, S. Davies-Hearn, R. Hughes, S. Turner & C. L. Macleod, 2008. Physicochemical changes in sediments at Orplands Farm, Essex, UK following 8 years of managed realignment. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 76: 608–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, F. J., 1994. Humus Chemistry: Genesis, Composition, Reactions. John Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, M. Y., R. C. Aller, C. Lee & S. G. Wakeham, 2002. Effects of oxygen and redox oscillation on degradation of cell-associated lipids in surficial marine sediments. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 66: 2003–2012.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tessier, M., J. C. Gloaguen & J. C. Lefeuvre, 2000. Factors affecting the population dynamics of Suaeda maritima at initial stages of development. Plant Ecology 147: 193–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolters, M., A. Garbutt, R. M. Bekker, J. P. Bakker & P. D. Carey, 2008. Restoration of saltmarsh vegetation in relation to site suitability, species pool and dispersal traits. Journal of Applied Ecology 45: 904–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK

    Margaret Kadiri, Kate L. Spencer & Catherine M. Heppell

  2. School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK

    Paul Fletcher

Authors
  1. Margaret Kadiri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kate L. Spencer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Catherine M. Heppell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paul Fletcher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret Kadiri.

Additional information

Guest editors: R. J. Uncles & S. B. Mitchell / The Thames Estuary and Estuaries of South East England

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kadiri, M., Spencer, K.L., Heppell, C.M. et al. Sediment characteristics of a restored saltmarsh and mudflat in a managed realignment scheme in Southeast England. Hydrobiologia 672, 79–89 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0755-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0755-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation