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Tidal Freshwater Marsh Plant Responses to Low Level Salinity Increases

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Abstract

In a tidal freshwater marsh (TFM) in lower Chesapeake Bay, salt marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) recently has become established where TFM vegetation previously grew. To determine the potential contribution of saltwater intrusion to the observed species transition, we conducted a mesocosm study subjecting Spartina and two TFM perennials (Peltandra virginica and Leersia oryzoides) to sub-lethal levels of salinity (0, 2, 4 and 6). We measured plant performance as carbon dioxide flux over the leaf stomata as a proxy for net photosynthesis (Anet), aboveground and belowground biomass and tissue carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus. For Spartina, all metrics were unchanged across the range of tested salinity. The TFM species, however, had lower Anet than Spartina and decreased with added salinity. TFM biomass was reduced up to 86 % in both the aboveground and belowground compartments, and aboveground nutrient allocation was altered: N increased in Leersia and P increased in Peltandra with increasing salinity. Under this simulation of increased salt intrusion associated with climate change and sea level rise, TFM species responded with decreased biomass and decreased tissue C:N. Although other factors must contribute, the abiotic salt stressor leads to plant responses consistent with the observed replacement of TFM species by Spartina.

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Acknowledgments

Several undergraduates supported this project: L. Zoe Almeida and Kelsey Bryant braved hours at the “plant farm”, and Madeline Karp and Jeffrey Knox helped prepare many belowground tissues. We also thank Scott Neubauer for an early review and the anonymous reviewer whose comments improved the manuscript. Partial funding was provided by the Garden Club of America. This paper was developed under STAR Fellowship Assistance Agreement no. FP-91736901 awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It has not been formally reviewed by EPA. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors, and EPA does not endorse any products or commercial services mentioned in this paper. This paper is contribution number 3312 of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Villanova University, Villanova, PA, USA

    Lori A. Sutter

  2. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, PO Box 1346, Gloucester point, VA, 23062, USA

    James E. Perry

  3. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23187, USA

    Randy M. Chambers

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  1. Lori A. Sutter
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  2. James E. Perry
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  3. Randy M. Chambers
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Correspondence to Lori A. Sutter.

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Sutter, L.A., Perry, J.E. & Chambers, R.M. Tidal Freshwater Marsh Plant Responses to Low Level Salinity Increases. Wetlands 34, 167–175 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-013-0494-x

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