Invasive Spartina densiflora Brongn. Reduces primary productivity in a northern California salt marsh
Graduation Date
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources: Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, 2012
Committee Chair Name
Alison O'Dowd
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Algae, Net ecosystem exchange, Spartina densiflora, Carbon dioxide flux, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Natural resources, Primary productivity, Invasive species, California, Salt marsh, Humboldt Bay
Abstract
Comprehensive primary productivity measurements of the impact of invasive species are important environmental indicators. This study obtained measurements of the impact of invasive Spartina densiflora on the primary productivity of a Humboldt Bay (California) salt marsh using above and belowground biomass measurements coupled with paired closed-chamber carbon dioxide flux measurements. Compared to samples dominated by native vegetation, samples dominated by S. densiflora displayed higher aboveground net primary productivity, lower belowground net primary productivity, lower net primary productivity, and lower net ecosystem exchange measurements; thus, S. densiflora colonization reduced primary productivity. Benthic macroalgal cover was a strong predictor of net ecosystem exchange. In plots dominated by S. densiflora, less benthic macroalgae was present and less photosynthetically active radiation reached the substratum. Therefore, increased shading of the sediment surface in plots dominated by S. densiflora contributed to lower net ecosystem exchange measurements. These results greatly improve our understanding of the impact of S. densiflora on the primary productivity of Humboldt Bay salt marsh ecosystems.
Recommended Citation
Lagarde, Luc A., "Invasive Spartina densiflora Brongn. Reduces primary productivity in a northern California salt marsh" (2012). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1830.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1830
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/9593tx452