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Variability and convergence in benthic communities in created salt marshes transitioning into mangrove habitats
Citation:
Nestlerode, J., K. Kaack, AND M. Osland. Variability and convergence in benthic communities in created salt marshes transitioning into mangrove habitats. Presented at CERF 2013, San Diego, CA, November 03 - 07, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
Present results of benthic component of benthic studies in the Tampa Bay region
Description:
Wetland creation, enhancement, and restoration activities are commonly implemented to compensate for wetland loss or degradation in coastal ecosystems. Although assessments of structural condition are commonly used to monitor habitat restoration effectiveness, functional equivalence in restored and created wetland habitats is often poorly understood. In estuarine habitats, variations in habitat quality are expected to produce relatively predictable variations in the structure and composition of macrobenthic communities, and it is generally assumed that the associated ecosystem functions of the community change as well. We evaluated the developmental trajectory of benthic ecosystem function in created tidal wetland habitats of different ages (range: 2-20 years) in the Tampa Bay region by measuring the development of wetland soil characteristics and secondary production of the macrobenthic community. Community properties of these created wetlands were compared with natural reference wetlands. Across the age chronosequence, the created wetlands transitioned from planted salt marshes to mangrove forests. Here, we present results quantifying the impact of time-since-creation upon ecosystem properties and processes, and discuss the relevance of macrobenthic community measurements for evaluating wetland functional equivalence. These data will be used to quantify how habitat and water quality restoration in coastal areas can improve production of valued ecosystem attributes such as biodiversity and fishery production. Findings will be incorporated into empirical models to evaluate alternative future scenarios across a changing landscape as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Tampa Bay Ecosystem Services Demonstration Project