LTREB: Long Term Studies of Salt Marsh Primary Production

该项目将继续对1984年在南卡罗来纳州北湾开始的盐沼初级生产的长期研究。现有的人口学长期数据(例如，树干存活率、依赖密度的生长和死亡率等)互花米草的生产力是独一无二的。在两个高沼泽地、两个低沼泽地和一个试验受精的高沼泽地建立的永久地块上，每月对茎种群进行监测。地上净生产量有很大的年际变化，似乎主要受盐度和海平面异常的控制。现有的每月树干种群普查将补充测量组织氮、地下生长和储量，以及其他沉积物化学参数(孔隙水、氨氮和硫化物浓度)。现有的每水盐度测量将继续，必要的气候和潮汐数据将继续在国家河口研究储备计划下的NOAA支持下进行。长期测量将提供有关地下和地上过程之间相互作用的基本信息，并对盐沼初级生产的调节有更清晰的理解。由于环境的人为和自然变化，滨海湿地的结构和功能将发生变化。这项研究将产生与沿海生态系统管理问题直接相关的数据。

This project will continue long term studies of salt marsh primary production that were begun at North Inlet, SC in 1984. Existing long-term data on demography (e.g. stem survival, density dependent growth and mortality, etc.) and productivity of Spartina alterniflora are unique. Stem populations have been monitored monthly on permanent plots that were established in two high marsh sites, two low marsh sites, and one experimentally fertilized high marsh site. There has been significant interannual variation in net aboveground production that appears to be controlled primarily by salinity and sea level anomalies. Existing monthly census of stem populations will be supplemented with measurements of tissue nitrogen, belowground growth and reserves, and additional sediment chemical parameters (pore water ammonium and sulfide concentrations). Existing measurements of per water salinity will continue, and necessary climate and tide data will continue with NOAA support under the National Estuarine Research Reserve Program. %%% Long-term measurements will yield basic information about interactions between belowground and aboveground processes, and a clearer understanding about the regulation of salt marsh primary production. The structure nd function of coastal wetlands will change as a consequence of man-made and natural changes in the environment. This research will yield data that are directly relevant to issues of coastal ecosystem management.