Ecosystem Engineering Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aster tripolium</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salicornia procumbens</Emphasis> Salt Marsh on Macrofaunal Community Structure |
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Authors: | Daphne van der Wal Peter M J Herman |
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Institution: | (1) Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology, P.O. Box 140, 4400 AC Yerseke, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | This paper examines how perennial Aster tripolium and annual Salicornia procumbens salt marshes alter the biomass, density, taxon diversity, and community structure of benthic macrofauna, and also examines
the role of elevation, sediment grain size, plant cover, and marsh age. Core samples were collected on a fixed grid on an
intertidal flat in the Westerschelde estuary (51.4° N, 4.1° E) over 5 years (2004–2008) of salt marsh development. In unvegetated
areas, macrobenthic biomass, density, and taxon diversity were highest when elevation was highest, benthic diatoms were most
abundant, and sediment median grain size was smallest. In contrast, in salt marsh areas, macrobenthic biomass and taxon diversity
increased with median grain size, while the effects of elevation and diatom abundance on macrobenthic biomass, density, and
diversity were not significant. In fine sediments, macrofaunal community structure in the salt marsh was particularly affected;
common polychaetes such as Nereis diversicolor, Heteromastus filiformis, and Pygospio elegans had low abundance and oligochaetes had high abundance. Marsh age had a negative influence on the density of macrofauna, and
A. tripolium stands had lower macrofaunal densities than the younger S. procumbens stands. There were no significant effects of marsh age, plant cover, and vegetation type on macrobenthic biomass, taxon diversity,
and community structure. The results highlight that ecosystem engineering effects of salt marsh plants on macrofauna are conditional.
Organic enrichment of the sediment and mechanical hindering of macrofaunal activity by plant roots are proposed as plausible
mechanisms for the influence of the salt marsh plants on macrofauna. |
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