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Tidal marsh erosion and accretion trends following invasive species removal, Tamar Estuary, Tasmania
Citation
Sheehan, MR and Ellison, JC, Tidal marsh erosion and accretion trends following invasive species removal, Tamar Estuary, Tasmania, Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 164 pp. 46-55. ISSN 0272-7714 (2015) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2015 The Authors Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2015.06.013
Abstract
The introduction of Spartina to intertidal marshes last century in many areas of the world transformed estuarine geomorphology, threatened native species and habitats, and impeded coastal access and use. This study investigated erosion/accretion trends of marsh surfaces following removal of invasive Spartina across a substantial intertidal marsh area. Marsh surface changes were monitored within a 0.6 ha experimental site where Spartina anglica cover was removed, and compared with surface changes at a comparable control site. Erosion/accretion rates were measured for over two years using a grid transect network, creek cross sectional profiles, and seaward edge delineation. Results showed that a significant erosion of the marsh surface occurred at the experimental site relative to the control site, using two different statistical analyses. Analysis of mean monthly change found erosion rates at the experimental site to be 13.2 mm a−1 relative to 2.0 mm a−1 at the control site, a rate that was six times greater. Analysis of overall change from the beginning to the end of the study showed that erosion was significantly more pronounced at the experimental site relative to the control site, and increased from the landward edge to the seaward edge at both sites. This study demonstrates the need for consideration of geomorphic processes when managing invasive plants in dynamic environments, and indicates that large scale Spartina removal will cause coastal erosion, bringing potential consequences to adjacent near shore waters and ecosystems.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Spartina infestation, eradication, salt marsh, erosion, accretion |
| Research Division: | Earth Sciences |
| Research Group: | Physical geography and environmental geoscience |
| Research Field: | Geomorphology and earth surface processes |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Coastal and estuarine systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Coastal or estuarine biodiversity |
| UTAS Author: | Sheehan, MR (Mr Matthew Sheehan) |
| UTAS Author: | Ellison, JC (Associate Professor Joanna Ellison) |
| ID Code: | 101788 |
| Year Published: | 2015 |
| Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (LP0214145) |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 21 |
| Deposited By: | Geography and Environmental Studies |
| Deposited On: | 2015-07-08 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-10-30 |
| Downloads: | 249 View Download Statistics |
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