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Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation Rates in Salt Marshes in Oregon, USA
Citation:
King, R., C. A. BROWN, AND TCHRIS MOCHONCOLLURA. Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation Rates in Salt Marshes in Oregon, USA. Presented at Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Conference, Daytona Beach, FL, November 06 - 10, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
Data from this study will be used to generate a regional estimate of carbon and nitrogen accumulation in salt marsh habitat in estuaries in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
Description:
Two important ecosystem services of wetlands are carbon sequestration and filtration of nutrients and particulates. We quantified the carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates in salt marshes at 135 plots distributed across eight estuaries located in Oregon, USA. Net carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates were quantified by measuring the carbon and nitrogen content of sediment that accumulated in marsh habitat over a two year time period using the feldspar marker horizon method. Short-term accretion rates were related to plot elevation, with low marsh habitats accreting at faster rates than high marsh habitats. On the average, the accretion rate appears to be balancing local sea level rise rate. High marsh habitat had higher carbon and nitrogen content and lower bulk densities than low marsh habitat. Low marsh habitat appeared to accumulate carbon and nitrogen at a higher rate than high marsh habitat. Data from this study will be used to generate a regional estimate of carbon and nitrogen accumulation in salt marsh habitat in estuaries in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.