Response of waterbird species to fluctuating water levels in tropical coastal wetlands

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Gbogbo ◽  
William Oduro ◽  
Samuel Kingsley Oppong
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Waterbird Species

The role of coastal wetlands in reducing back bay flooding: New Jersey Back Bays case study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory Slusarczyk ◽  
Mary Cialone
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Army Corps ◽  
Priority List ◽  
Us Army ◽  
Bay Area

<p>This paper will provide an analysis of the numerical modeled water levels in the vicinity of New Jersey Back Bays (NJBB) coastal wetlands in response to wave and surge forcing. The main focus of the analysis is to evaluate the contribution of the wetlands to reduce storm and flood risk, resist and recover from storms, and mitigate for degradation of the NJBB shorelines.  In order to provide information that addresses these needs, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) evaluated a set of “high” ranked Engineering with Nature (EWN)/ Natural and Nature Based Features (NNBF) measures through an application of the predictive numerical models ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) and STeady-state spectral WAVE (STWAVE) coupled via the Coastal Storm Modeling System (CSTORM-MS).</p><p>The ERDC modeling team developed a priority list of wetland configurations to evaluate, grouped into four categories: 1) Base Option designed to determine the maximum feasible benefits from a subset of NNBF measures, 2) Option 1 designed to determine how the benefits scale with NNBF size, 3) Option 2 designed to determine how the current marsh extent contributes to flood risk, 4) Option 3 designed to determine the interaction of waves with proposed NNBF measures predominantly in the Barnegat Bay area.</p><p>The above configurations were subject to wind forcing composed of a statistically-selected subset of synthetic tropical cyclones that were part of North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS) storm suite. An analysis of the effectiveness of the wetland configurations was performed with respect to the following criteria: maximum surge envelopes, water level time series, and characteristics of tropical storm forcing conditions.</p>

Salinity effects on mass loss and nutrient release in the litter decomposition of peatland macrophytes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Batistel ◽  
Gerald Jurasinski ◽  
Hendrik Schubert
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Decomposition Rate ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Nutrient Release ◽  
Decay Rates ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
The Other ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Prime Concern

<p>Global mean sea level had been rising and accelerating in the last decades affecting coastal wetlands that are important carbon stores since they are susceptible to fluctuating water levels. Climate-change-driven sea-level rise, which is predicted to reach about one to two meters by 2100, may lead to dramatic shifts in the vegetation composition of coastal wetlands consequently influencing ecosystem functions including photosynthetic activity, biomass production, litter decomposability, and ultimately the pattern and rates of nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and greenhouse gas exchange. In this regard, aside from water level, changes in salinity that may especially influence the decomposition of dead plant material are also of prime concern.</p><p>Here, we provide a comparative evaluation of the decomposition rates of the dominant macrophytes in different nearby freshwater and brackish peatlands. We assumed that the degradability of leaf litter differs among species due to the difference in chemical composition. Two peatland sites, Schutower Moor (freshwater) and Diedrichshagen Moor (brackish) were selected to compare the decomposition rate and nutrient release of <em>Phragmites australis</em>, <em>Carex</em> sp. and <em>Schoenoplectus tabernaemontanii </em>as influenced by salinity. We used the litterbag method using senescent leaves or stem parts (for <em>S. tabernaemontanii</em>) of the macrophytes that were collected in late autumn. We deposited 30 litterbags per species per site and retrieved 5 of these per site after 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 months, respectively.</p><p>Regardless of site and species, the highest mass loss occurred in the first 35 days of decomposition with a strong decrease thereafter with almost flat slopes. The initial decay rates of the same species did not differ significantly between sites. However, the initial mass loss of the <em>S. tabernaemontanii</em> litter was significantly higher than the other species. This species has the highest decay coefficient of 0.008 d<sup>-1</sup> and 0.006 d<sup>-1</sup> in freshwater and brackish sites, respectively. These decay rates are up to four times faster compared to the other species resulting in empty litterbags a year after deployment indicating the complete decomposition of <em>S. tabernaemontanii </em>while other species had between 40% to 60% dry mass remaining. Initially, the carbon and nitrogen contents of <em>S. tabernaemontanii </em>were significantly lower than those of the other species while its initial sulfur content was significantly higher than of the other species. <em>S. tabernaemontanii </em>retained a relatively high amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and magnesium throughout decomposition compared to the other species. This keeps the C:N, C:P, C:S, C:Mg and N:P ratios nearly constant from the start to the end of the study suggesting continuous microbial activities due to the availability of such nutrients in the detritus of <em>S. tabernaemontanii</em>. This confirms that <em>P. australis</em> and <em>Carex</em> sp. contribute to the formation of peat while <em>S. tabernaemontanii </em>does not.  </p><p>Litter quality showed to be a more important factor affecting decomposition than the little difference in salinity between sites (e.g. annual average of 3psu) that did not significantly affect the decomposition rate of macrophyte litter. Therefore, future similar studies should consider comparing sites with higher salinity levels.</p>

Parameterization of Coastal Wetlands and Their Role in Back Bay Hydrodynamics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Cialone ◽  
Gregory Slusarczyk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Flood Risk ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hurricane Sandy ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Depth Analysis

<p>This paper will provide an evaluation of the role of coastal wetlands in flood risk mediation by performing hydrodynamic modeling of storm surge in back bays that include various configurations of wetland features. Wetland parameters varied in the research study include the elevation, shape, volume, and vegetation type (represented by the Manning’s friction coefficient) to identify the role of wetlands in reducing back bay flooding.   This information can be used to determine best future management practices for dredged material placement that will serve to maintain and restore wetlands in light of environmental pressures such as climate change, subsidence, storm-induced erosion, boat wakes, and other factors influencing coastal wetland dynamics.</p><p>Following Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the United States (U.S.) Congress authorized the large scale North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS) to address the present and future flood risk to this region. Part of that study was an in-depth numerical modeling and statistical analysis using the ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) and STeady-state spectral WAVE (STWAVE) models and the Joint Probability with Optimal Sampling (JPM-OS) statistical technique. Following the NACCS, the New Jersey back bays were identified as a high-risk area requiring further in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of surge barriers and coastal wetlands to reduce water levels in the back bays during storms. This paper will discuss the analysis of a set of coastal wetland configurations in the New Jersey back bay region simulated with a set of 10 synthetic storm suite selected from the NACCS study.   Analysis of maximum surge envelopes, water level time series, and characteristics of tropical storm forcing conditions were used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the wetland configurations.</p>

scholarly journals Patrones de distribución y estructura de la vegetación en el gradiente de humedales costeros El Castaño, Chiapas, México

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Rincón Pérez ◽  
Dulce Infante-Mata ◽  
Patricia Moreno-Casasola ◽  
María Elizabeth Hernández Alarcón ◽  
Everardo Barbas Macías ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Redox Potential ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Environmental Gradient ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Laguncularia Racemosa ◽  
Groundwater Salinity ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
High Turnover ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Freshwater Marshes

Introduction: The characteristics of coastal wetlands are the result of hydrogeomorphological interactions between the continent and the ocean, which cause an environmental gradient, hat results in different vegetation types such as mangroves, freshwater marshes, swamp forests and palm swamps. Objective: To characterize the hydroperiod and physicochemical variables of water and soil and their effect on the distribution of vegetation in the Sistema de Humedales El Castaño. Methods: A total of 11 permanent sampling units (UM) were established by defined strata: five in the mangrove, two in swamp forest, two in freshwater marshes and two in the flooded pasture. From May 2016 to October 2017 the vegetation was characterized and the water levels and physicochemical parameters (superficial, interstitial and groundwater) were sampled monthly for: salinity, and pH; and the soil for: bulk density, humidity percentage, and redox potential. Results: Mangroves are the closest to the sea, have the lowest diversity (H: 1.66) and species richness (14), they are dominated by Laguncularia racemosa and Rhizophora mangle, have the highest values of interstitial and groundwater salinity, (> 10.8 ups), remain flooded for 4 to 12 months per year, and have a redox potential of 14.57 mV. Immediately, inland, there are remnants of the swamp forests (H: 2.18 and 18 species), dominated by Pachira aquatica, with 5 ups interstitial and groundwater salinity, flooded from 0 to 6 months per year, with a redox potential of 119.07 mV. These forests are followed inland by freshwater marshes (H: 1.92 and 16 species), dominated by Typha domingensis with 6.1 ups interstitial and groundwater salinity, flooded for 5 to 8 months per year and a redox potential of 125.9 mV. Finally, furthest inland is the flooded pasture, a modified herbaceous wetland for cattle grazing (H: 3.44 and 50 species) dominated by Paspalum conjugatum, where interstitial and groundwater salinity is less than 0.5 ups, it stays flooded for 5 to 9 months and the redox potential is 151.23 mV. Conclusions: In each type of vegetation, the structure, composition, and diversity are different, with a high turnover of species that indicates a gradient defined by salinity. The vegetation in the SHC follows the patterns of typical organization of the tropical coastal wetlands, mangroves, swamp forests and herbaceous wetlands, in this case the freshwater marshes and flooded pastures. The factor that define the distribution of the vegetation is the salinity and the gradient that is observed are a function of the hydrological dynamics that depends on the mixing of marine and freshwater.

scholarly journals Diversity of waterbirds in mudflat and fishpond habitats in coastal Wetlands of East Lampung, Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Vol 948 (1) ◽  
pp. 012025
Author(s):  
A R A Khalil ◽  
Y A Mulyani ◽  
A Mardiastuti ◽  
D Iswandaru
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Concentration Method ◽  
Migratory Shorebirds ◽  
Waterbird Species ◽  
Vantage Points ◽  
Far Eastern

Abstract Coastal wetlands provide habitat for waterbirds. However, changes in land use in coastal wetlands in East Lampung, Lampung Province, might affect the use of habitats by waterbirds. The study objective was to identify waterbird species using wetland habitat in coastal areas of East Lampung. Field surveys were conducted in November 2020 in two habitat types, i.e., mudflats and fishponds, employing a concentration method from several vantage points, then calculating Shannon-Wienner diversity indices (H’). A total of 23 species from 9 families of waterbirds were recorded. Mudflat had a higher diversity (H’½2.21) than fishpond (H’=1.74). Sixteen species were found on mudflats, dominated by shorebirds from the families of Scolopacidae and Charadriidae, which are primarily migratory species. Fishponds were used by 12 species, dominated by the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). Two endangered species, i.e., Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) and Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea), and one vulnerable species, Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), were observed using mudflats. This study showed that mudflat in coastal wetlands of East Lampung provides essential habitats for conserving threatened waterbirds and migratory shorebirds.

Do seed banks confer resilience to coastal wetlands invaded by Typha ×glauca?

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (12) ◽  
pp. 1882-1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christin B. Frieswyk ◽  
Joy B. Zedler
Keyword(s):  
Seed Bank ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Lake Michigan ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Seed Banks ◽  
Lythrum Salicaria ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Western Coast ◽  
Green Bay ◽  
Typha Glauca

Historically, seed banks conferred resilience to Laurentian Great Lakes coastal wetlands by providing propagules of many species to replace invasive plants, such as Typha ×glauca Godr. After flooding, the seed bank could allow recovery of wetland composition and structure as the water levels fall. Using the seedling emergence method to estimate seed density, species and guild richness, and floristic quality, we evaluated the resilience of five wetlands along the western coast of Green Bay, Lake Michigan by comparing seed bank attributes in areas invaded by Typha to those of neighboring uninvaded areas and to attributes of the extant vegetation. Resilience decreased from north to south among the five wetlands, mirroring a gradient of decreasing water quality. The invasive Lythrum salicaria L. dominated the seed bank of all five wetlands despite low relative abundance in the extant vegetation. The resilience of Green Bay coastal wetlands is threatened by the overwhelming presence of L. salicaria in the seed bank. Because the seed bank holds a wetland’s potential to be renewed by the natural hydrological cycle, seed bank assessment should be a routine measure of wetland resilience.

scholarly journals Dynamics of Mangrove-Marsh Ecotones in Subtropical Coastal Wetlands: Fire, Sea-Level Rise, and Water Levels

Fire Ecology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 66-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Smith ◽  
Ann M. Foster ◽  
Ginger Tiling-Range ◽  
John W. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Sea Level Rise ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Water Levels

scholarly journals Eco-hydrology as a driver for tidal restoration: Observations from a Ramsar wetland in eastern Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0254701
Author(s):  
William Glamore ◽  
Duncan Rayner ◽  
Jamie Ruprecht ◽  
Mahmood Sadat-Noori ◽  
Danial Khojasteh
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Wetlands ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Land Reclamation ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Restored Wetland ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Inundation Extent ◽  
Tidal Signal

Land reclamation projects and the installation of drainage infrastructure has impacted coastal wetlands worldwide. By altering water levels and inundation extent, these activities have changed the viable ecosystems onsite and resulted in the proliferation of freshwater species. As more than 50% of tidal wetlands have been degraded globally over the last 100 years, the importance of this issue is increasingly being recognised and tidal wetland restoration projects are underway worldwide. However, there are currently limited sites where large-scale reintroduction of tidal flushing has been implemented with the explicit aim to foster the growth of a threatened ecosystem. In this study, the tidal restoration of an internationally recognised Ramsar listed wetland in eastern Australia is described to highlight how coastal saltmarsh can be targeted by mimicking inundation depths and hydroperiod across the 410-ha site. Coastal saltmarsh is particularly important to this site as it is part of the east Australasian flyway for migratory birds and the minimum saltmarsh extent, as listed within the Ramsar’s limits of acceptable change, have been breached. To recreate coastal saltmarsh habitat onsite, water level and hydroperiod criteria were established based on similar vegetation patterns within the adjacent estuary. A calibrated 2D hydrodynamic model of the site was then used to test how the preferred inundation criteria could be applied to the largest possible restored wetland area. Once optimised, a synthetic tidal signal was implemented onsite via automated hydraulic controls. The onsite vegetation response over an 8-year period was assessed to highlight the ecosystem response to controlled tidal inundation and denoted substantial saltmarsh expansion during the period. The techniques applied onsite have successfully met the restoration targets and can be applied at similar sites worldwide, offsetting sea level rise impacts to natural inundation hydroperiod.

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