Skip to main content
Log in

Spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) along two freshwater-estuarine transects in the Florida Coastal Everglades

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We present here a 4-year dataset (2001–2004) on the spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) by dominant primary producers (sawgrass, periphyton, mangroves, and seagrasses) along two transects in the oligotrophic Florida Everglades coastal landscape. The 17 sites of the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research (FCE LTER) program are located along fresh-estuarine gradients in Shark River Slough (SRS) and Taylor River/C-111/Florida Bay (TS/Ph) basins that drain the western and southern Everglades, respectively. Within the SRS basin, sawgrass and periphyton ANPP did not differ significantly among sites but mangrove ANPP was highest at the site nearest the Gulf of Mexico. In the southern Everglades transect, there was a productivity peak in sawgrass and periphyton at the upper estuarine ecotone within Taylor River but no trends were observed in the C-111 Basin for either primary producer. Over the 4 years, average sawgrass ANPP in both basins ranged from 255 to 606 g m−2 year−1. Average periphyton productivity at SRS and TS/Ph was 17–68 g C m−2 year−1 and 342–10371 g C m−2 year−1, respectively. Mangrove productivity ranged from 340 g m−2 year−1 at Taylor River to 2208 g m−2 year−1 at the lower estuarine Shark River site. Average Thalassia testudinum productivity ranged from 91 to 396 g m−2 year−1 and was 4-fold greater at the site nearest the Gulf of Mexico than in eastern Florida Bay. There were no differences in periphyton productivity at Florida Bay. Interannual comparisons revealed no significant differences within each primary producer at either SRS or TS/Ph with the exception of sawgrass at SRS and the C−111 Basin. Future research will address difficulties in assessing and comparing ANPP of different primary producers along gradients as well as the significance of belowground production to the total productivity of this ecosystem.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • A. R. Armitage T. A. Frankovich K. L. Heck SuffixJr J. W. Fourqurean (2005) ArticleTitleExperimental nutrient enrichment causes complex changes in seagrass, microalgae, and macroalgae community structure in Florida Bay Estuaries 28 422–434 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF02693924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. N. Boyer J. W. Fourqurean R. D. Jones (1999) ArticleTitleSeasonal and long-term trends in water quality of Florida Bay (1989–97) Estuaries 22 417–430 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1353208 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmsVOmtr8%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Browder, J. A., D. Cottrell, M. Brown, M. Newman, R. Edwards, J. Yuska, M. Browder & J. Krakosi (1982) Biomass and primary production of microphytes and macrophytes in periphyton habitats of the southern Everglades, Report T-662. South Florida Research Center, Homestead, FL

  • S. N. Burrows S. T. Gower J. M. Norman G. Diak D. S. Mackay D. E. Ahl M. K. Clayton (2003) ArticleTitleSpatial variability of aboveground net primary production for a forested landscape in northern Wisconsin Canadian Journal of Forest Research 33 2007–2018 Occurrence Handle10.1139/x03-124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. S. Chapin SuffixIII (1980) ArticleTitleThe mineral nutrition of wild plants Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 11 233–260 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.es.11.110180.001313 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3MXivFagug%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • F. S. Chapin SuffixIII E.-D. Schulze H. A. Mooney (1990) ArticleTitleThe ecology and economics of storage in plants Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 21 423–447 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.es.21.110190.002231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Chen R. R. Twilley (1999) ArticleTitlePatterns of mangrove forest structure and soil nutrient dynamics along the Shark River estuary, Florida Estuaries 22 955–970 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1353075

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • X. Chen S. E. Lohrenz D. A. Weisenburg (2000) ArticleTitleDistribution and controlling mechanisms of primary production on the Louisiana–Texas continental shelf Journal of Marine Systems 25 179–207 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0924-7963(00)00014-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. Chiang C. B. Craft D. W. Rogers C. J. Richardson (2000) ArticleTitleEffects of 4 years of nitrogen and phosphorus additions on Everglades plant communities Aquatic Botany 68 61–78 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3770(00)00098-X Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXlsVyjtr0%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. L. Childers R. D. Jones J. C. Trexler C. Buzzelli J. Boyer A. L. Edwards E. E. Gaiser K. Jayachandaran D. Lee J.F. Meeder J. Pechmann J. H. Richards L. J. Scinto (2001) Quantifying the effects of low level phosphorus enrichment on unimpacted Everglades wetlands with in situ flumes and phosphorus dosing J. Porter K. Porter (Eds) The Everglades, Florida Bay, and Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys CRC Press Boca Raton, FL, USA 127–152

    Google Scholar 

  • D. L. Childers D. Iwaniec D. Rondeau G. Rubio E. Verdon C. J. Madden (2006a) ArticleTitleResponses of sawgrass and spikerush to variation in hydrologic drivers and salinity in Southern Everglades marshes Hydrobiologia 569 273–292

    Google Scholar 

  • D. L. Childers J. N. Boyer S. E. Davis C. J. Madden D.T. Rudnick F. H. Sklar (2006b) ArticleTitleRelating precipitation and water management to nutrient concentrations in the oligotrophic “upside-down” estuaries of the Florida Everglades Limnology and Oceanography 51 602–616 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsFaqurk%3D Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.2006.51.1_part_2.0602

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • G. Cintron Y. Schaeffer Novelli (1984) Methods for studying mangrove structure S. C. Snedaker J. G. Snedaker (Eds) The Mangrove Ecosystem: Research Methods UNESCO Paris, France 91–113

    Google Scholar 

  • D. A. Clark S. Brown D. W. Kicklighter J. Q. Chambers J.R. Thomlinson J. Ni E. A. Holland (2001) ArticleTitleNet primary production in tropical forests: an evaluation and synthesis of existing field data Ecological Applications 11 371–384 Occurrence Handle10.2307/3060895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • C. B. Craft J. Vymazal C. J. Richardson (1995) ArticleTitleResponse of Everglades plant communities to nitrogen and phosphorus additions Wetlands 15 258–271 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF03160706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. J. Daoust D. L. Childers (1998) ArticleTitleQuantifying aboveground biomass and estimating net aboveground primary production for wetland macrophytes using a non-destructive phenometric technique Aquatic Botany 62 115–133 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0304-3770(98)00078-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. J. Daoust D. L. Childers (2004) ArticleTitleEcological effects of low-level phosphorus additions on two plant communities in a neotropical freshwater wetland ecosystem Oecologia 141 672–686 Occurrence Handle15365807 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00442-004-1675-3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Day W. H. Conner F. Ley-Lou R. H. Day A. M. Navarro (1987) ArticleTitleThe productivity and composition of mangrove forests, Laguna de Terminos, Mexico Aquatic Botany 27 267–284 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0304-3770(87)90046-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, S. M., 1989. Sawgrass and cattail production in relation to nutrient supply in the Everglades. In Sharitz, R. R. & J.W. Gibbons (eds), Freshwater wetlands and wildlife. CONF-8603101, DOE symposium series no. 61, USDOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information, Oak Ridge, TN, pp.325–341

  • S. M. Davis (1994) Phosphorus inputs and vegetation sensitivity in the Everglades S. M. Davis J. C. Ogden (Eds) Everglades: The Ecosystem and Its Restoration St Lucie Press Delray Beach, FL 357–378

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Dierssen R. Zimmerman R. A. Leathers T. V. Downes C. O. Davis (2003) ArticleTitleOcean color remote sensing of seagrass and bathymetry in the Bahamas Banks by high-resolution airborne imagery Limnology and Oceanography 48 444–455 Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.2003.48.1_part_2.0444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. Frankovich J. A. Fourqurean (1997) ArticleTitleSeagrass epiphyte loads along a nutrient availability gradient, Florida Bay, FL, USA Marine Ecology Progress Series 159 37–50 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXjsVertg%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • T. Frankovich J. Zieman (2005) ArticleTitlePeriphyton light transmission relationships in Florida Bay and the Florida Keys Aquatic Botany 83 14–30 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.aquabot.2005.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • T. A. Frankovich E. E. Gaiser J. C. Zieman A. H. Wachnicka (2006) ArticleTitleSpatial and temporal distributions of epiphytic diatoms growing on Thalassia testudinum Banks ex König: relationships to water quality Hydrobiologia 569 259–271 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XnsFyjurg%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Fourqurean J. C. Zieman G. V. N. Powell (1992) ArticleTitlePhosphorus limitation of primary production in Florida Bay: evidence from the C:N:P ratios of the dominant seagrass Thalassia testudinum Limnology and Oceanography 37 162–171 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xktleitbs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Fourqurean M. B. Robblee (1999) ArticleTitleFlorida Bay: a history of recent ecological changes Estuaries 22 IssueID2B 345–357 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1353203 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmsVOmsbY%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Fourqurean J. Zieman (2002) ArticleTitleSeagrass nutrient content reveals regional patterns of relative availability of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Florida Keys, FL, USA Biogeochemistry 61 229–245 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1020293503405 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XntVKjurY%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. E. Gaiser A. Wachnicka P. Ruiz F. Tobias M. S. Ross (2004) Diatom indicators of ecosystem change in coastal wetlands S. Bortone (Eds) Estuarine Indicators CRC Press Boca Raton, FL 127–144

    Google Scholar 

  • E. E. Gaiser J. Trexler J. Richards D. Childers D. Lee A. L. Edwards L. Scinto K. Jayachandran G. Noe R. Jones (2005) ArticleTitleCascading ecological effects of low-level phosphorus enrichment in the Florida Everglades Journal of Environmental Quality 34 403–407

    Google Scholar 

  • E. E. Gaiser J. Richards J. Trexler R. Jones D. Childers (2006) ArticleTitlePeriphyton responses to eutrophication in the Florida Everglades: cross-system patterns of structural and compositional change Limnology and Oceanography 51 617–630 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsFaqurY%3D Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.2006.51.1_part_2.0617

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gottlieb, A. D., 2003. Short and long hydroperiod Everglades periphyton mats: community characterization and experimental hydroperiod manipulation. Florida International University, PhD Dissertation. 253 p

  • A. D. Gottlieb J. H. Richards E. E. Gaiser (2005) ArticleTitleEffects of desiccation duration on the community structure and nutrient retention of short- and long-hydroperiod Everglades periphyton mats Aquatic Botany 82 99–112 Occurrence Handle10.1016/j.aquabot.2005.02.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • L. J. Graumlich L. B. Brubaker C. C. Grier (1989) ArticleTitleLong-term trends in forest net primary productivity: Cascade Mountains, Washington Ecology 70 405–410 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1937545

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. J. Hansen J. J. Rotella M. P. V. Kraska D. Brown (2000) ArticleTitleSpatial patterns of primary productivity in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem Landscape Ecology 15 505–522 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008127228878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. M. Iwaniec D. L. Childers D. Rondeau C. J. Madden C. J. Saunders (2006) ArticleTitleEffects of hydrologic and water quality drivers on periphyton dynamics in the southern Everglades Hydrobiologia 569 223–236 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XnsFyjurs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. A. Juman (2005) ArticleTitleThe structure and productivity of the Thalassia testudinum community in Bon Accord Lagoon, Tobago Revista de Biologia Tropical 53 219–227 Occurrence Handle17465161

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • A. K. Knapp J. M. Briggs J. K. Koelliker (2001) ArticleTitleFrequency and extent of water limitation to primary production in a mesic temperate grassland Ecosystems 4 19–28 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s100210000057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. S. Koch K. R. Reddy (1992) ArticleTitleDistribution of soil and plant nutrients along a trophic gradient in the Florida Everglades Soil Science Society of America Journal 56 1492–1499 Occurrence Handle10.2136/sssaj1992.03615995005600050026x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. S. Koch C. J. Madden (2001) ArticleTitlePatterns of primary production and nutrient availability in a Bahamas lagoon with fringing mangroves Marine Ecology Progress Series 219 109–119 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXptVersrY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. M. Loveless (1959) ArticleTitleA study of the vegetation in the Florida Everglades Ecology 40 1–9 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1929916

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A. Lugo S. Snedaker (1974) ArticleTitleThe ecology of mangroves Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 5 39–64 Occurrence Handle10.1146/annurev.es.05.110174.000351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. V. McCormick P. S. Rawlik K. Lurding E. P. Smith F.H. Sklar (1996) ArticleTitlePeriphyton-water quality relationships along a nutrient gradient in the northern Everglades Journal of the North American Benthological Society 15 433–449 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1467797

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. L. McKee (1993) ArticleTitleSoil physicochemical patterns and mangrove species distribution-reciprocal effects? Journal of Ecology 81 477–487 Occurrence Handle10.2307/2261526

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. B. Noe D. L. Childers R. D. Jones (2001) ArticleTitlePhosphorus biogeochemistry and the impact of phosphorus enrichment: why is the Everglades so unique? Ecosystems 4 603–624 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10021-001-0032-1 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38Xjsl2itQ%3D%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. K. Nuttle J. W. Fourqurean B. J. Cosby J. C. Zieman M. B. Robblee (2000) ArticleTitleInfluence of net freshwater supply on salinity in Florida Bay Water Resources Research 36 1805–1822 Occurrence Handle10.1029/1999WR900352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. M. Price P. K. Swart J. W. Fourqurean (2006) ArticleTitleCoastal groundwater discharge – an additional source of phosphorus for the oligotrophic wetlands of the Everglades Hydrobiologia 569 23–36 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XnsFyjtbw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. W. Raich A. E. Russell P. M. Vitousek (1997) ArticleTitlePrimary productivity and ecosystem development along an elevational gradient on Mauna Loa, Hawaii Ecology 78 707–721 Occurrence Handle10.2307/2266051

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. Rejmankova J. Komarkova (2000) ArticleTitleA function of cyanobacterial mats in phosphorus-limited tropical wetlands Hydrobiologia 431 135–153 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1004011318643 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnslSgsbg%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. S. Ross P. L. Ruiz G. J. Telesnicki J. F. Meeder (2001) ArticleTitleEstimating above-ground biomass and production in mangrove commmunities in Biscayne National Park, Florida (USA) Wetlands Ecology and Management 9 27–37 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1008411103288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D. T. Rudnick Z. Chen D. L. Childers J. N. Boyer T. D. Fontaine SuffixIII (1999) ArticleTitlePhosphorus and nitrogen inputs to Florida Bay: the importance of the Everglades watershed Estuaries 22 IssueID2B 398–416 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1353207 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXmsVOmtr4%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O. E. Sala W. J. Parton L. A. Joyce W. K. Lauenroth (1988) ArticleTitlePrimary production of the central grassland region of the United States Ecology 69 40–45 Occurrence Handle10.2307/1943158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • E. A. G. Schuur P. A. Matson (2001) ArticleTitleNet primary productivity and nutrient cycling across a mesic to wet precipitation gradient in Hawaiian montane forest Oecologia 128 431–442 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004420100671

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. E. Sherman T. E. Fahey P. Martinez (2003) ArticleTitleSpatial patterns of biomass and aboveground net primary productivity in a mangrove ecosystem in the Dominican Republic Ecosystems 6 384–398 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10021-002-0191-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • F. Sklar C. McVoy R. VanZee D. E. Gawlik K. Tarboton D. Rudnick S-L. Miao T. Armentano (2001) The effects of altered hydrology on the ecology of the Everglades J. W. Porter K. G. Porter (Eds) The Everglades, Florida Bay and Coral Reefs of the Florida Keys: An Ecosystem Sourcebook CRC Press Boca Raton, FL 39–82

    Google Scholar 

  • E. P. Smith P. V. McCormick (2001) ArticleTitleLong-term relationship between phosphorus inputs and wetland phosphorus concentrations in a northern Everglades marsh Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 68 153–176 Occurrence Handle11411142 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1010798628940 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXkt1Sit7w%3D

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • W. P. Sousa S. P. Quek B. J. Mitchell (2003) ArticleTitleRegeneration of Rhizophora mangle in a Caribbean mangrove forest: interacting effects of canopy disturbance and stem-boring beetle Oecologia 137 436–445 Occurrence Handle12920640 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00442-003-1350-0

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Thomas, S. E., E. E. Gaiser, M. Gantar, L. J. Scinto, R.D. Jones, 2006. Quantifying the response of dry, calcareous periphyton mats to wetting in a short-hydroperiod, oligotrophic subtropical wetland. Aquatic Botany, 2006

  • M. N. Thormann S. E. Bayley (1997) ArticleTitleAboveground net primary production along a bog-fen-marsh gradient in southern boreal Alberta, Canada Ecoscience 4 374–384

    Google Scholar 

  • R. R. Twilley V. H. Rivera-Monroy (2005) ArticleTitleDeveloping performance criteria using simulation models of mangrove ecosystem restoration: a case study of the Florida Coastal Everglades Journal of Coastal Research 40 79–93

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Vymazal (1995) Algae and Elemental Cycling in Wetlands Lewis Publishers Boca Raton, FL

    Google Scholar 

  • P. M. Vitousek R. W. Howarth (1991) ArticleTitleNitrogen limitation on land and in the sea: how can it occur? Biogeochemistry 13 87–115 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00002772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Zieman (1974) ArticleTitleMethods for the study of growth and production of turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum Konig Aquaculture 4 139–143 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0044-8486(74)90029-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sharon M. L. Ewe.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ewe, S.M.L., Gaiser, E.E., Childers, D.L. et al. Spatial and temporal patterns of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) along two freshwater-estuarine transects in the Florida Coastal Everglades . Hydrobiologia 569, 459–474 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0149-5

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0149-5

Keywords

Navigation