GCE Announcement
Research News
Disturbance-Salinity experiment shows partial recovery after two years
Two years ago we initiated the Disturbance-Salinity experiment, which consists of about 70 pairs of plots arrayed across the estuarine salinity gradient and including four dominant plant types: Zizaniopsis, Juncus, Spartina and Sarcocornia. Plots were disturbed by being covered with a tarp for 2 months to simulate wrack disturbance. Two years post-disturbance, most Spartina and Zizaniopsis plots have fully recovered, but most Juncus plots show little recovery. Sarcocornia plots are variable, with some recovered and some not.
In addition to documenting variability in resilience among these dominant vegetation types, we hope to explore how resilience varies within each vegetation type as a function of the salinity gradient. Stay tuned for further reports!
This Juncus plot (control on left, disturbed on right) shows little recovery two years after disturbance.
This Spartina plot is fully recovered after two years. From the photograph you can't tell which is the control and which was disturbed.
(Contact Steve Pennings for additional information)
submitted Jun 09, 2025
