Spatial dynamic patterns of saltmarsh vegetation in southern Hangzhou Bay: Exotic and native species

Bibliographic Details
Title: Spatial dynamic patterns of saltmarsh vegetation in southern Hangzhou Bay: Exotic and native species
Authors: Si-long Huang, Yi-ning Chen, Yan Li
Source: Water Science and Engineering, Vol 13, Iss 1, Pp 34-44 (2020)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2020.
Publication Year: 2020
Collection: LCC:River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General)
Subject Terms: Saltmarsh, Spartina alterniflora, Scirpus mariqueter, Spatial variation, Competition, Exotic species, River, lake, and water-supply engineering (General), TC401-506
More Details: A saltmarsh has developed rapidly on the mudflat of Andong Shoal, in southern Hangzhou Bay, over the last decade since embankment. The saltmarsh vegetation changes are driven by both sediment dynamic conditions and the competition between the exotic species Spartina alterniflora (S. alterniflora) and the native species Scirpus mariqueter (S. mariqueter). This study attempted to investigate large-scale spatial variations in the exotic and native species, by analyzing and interpreting a time series (2016–2018) of high-resolution (less than 1 m) remote sensing images. The total area of the saltmarsh increased at a rate of 1.07 km2/year, due to the accretion of the whole tidal flat. The spatial patterns revealed a new bimodal pattern for S. alterniflora invasion. S. alterniflora expanded over the upper to middle saltmarsh at a rate of 1.68 km2/year. However, the S. alterniflora patches at the seaward edge expanded at a negative rate of −0.005 km2/year, indicating a different pattern in competition: S. alterniflora had more advantages in the upper saltmarsh, while S. mariqueter had more advantages in the pioneer zone with low elevation. Consequently, S. alterniflora mainly established new habitats by invading S. mariqueter in the middle saltmarsh, but S. mariqueter occupied the bare mudflat for tradeoff. Our results aindicated that the interspecific competition result between S. alterniflora and S. mariqueter depended on elevation, and low elevation might create a favorable environment for S. mariqueter to win the competition with exotic species. This finding could be applied to future invasive species control and saltmarsh management.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1674-2370
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S167423702030017X; https://doaj.org/toc/1674-2370
DOI: 10.1016/j.wse.2020.03.003
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/c9d8af7a04e1456e9eb42e43dab89bfc
Accession Number: edsdoj.9d8af7a04e1456e9eb42e43dab89bfc
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:16742370
DOI:10.1016/j.wse.2020.03.003
Published in:Water Science and Engineering
Language:English