Factors affecting the success of early salt-marsh colonizers: seed availability rather than site suitability and dispersal traits

Erfanzadeh, Reza; Garbutt, Angus ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9145-9786; Petillion, Julien; Maelfait, Jean-Pierre; Hoffmann, Maurice. 2010 Factors affecting the success of early salt-marsh colonizers: seed availability rather than site suitability and dispersal traits. Plant Ecology, 206 (2). 335-347. 10.1007/s11258-009-9646-8

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Abstract/Summary

We evaluated the process of salt-marsh colonization in early successional stages of salt-marsh restoration and investigated how the sequence of species establishment related to different success factors. Vegetation data were collected by permanent plots from the restoration site and adjacent, reference salt marshes during three consecutive periods. Seed length, width and mass were used as dispersal traits, and Ellenberg moisture, salinity and nutrient indices as indicators of site suitability. Seed production in the reference site and seed bank in the restoration site were also investigated. The establishment of salt-marsh species within the restoration site was rapid (less than 5 years). The cover of plant species was not correlated between the restored and the reference sites at the first year of restoration, but this correlation was significant during the following years. Seed availability was more important in explaining the sequence of species establishment than salt and nutrient-limitation tolerance. The first colonizers are known as massive seed producers, with shorter seed length and lower seed mass, which probably increased buoyancy. Among dispersal and site traits, seed length and mass, and in a less extent salinity and nutrients, indicated a relationship with new colonizers. Despite few species have not (yet) appeared in vegetation and seed bank in the restoration site, the existence of an existing salt marsh adjacent to the restoration site is shown to be vital for fast colonization of newly created intertidal areas.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1007/s11258-009-9646-8
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biodiversity CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Biodiversity > BD03 The Genetic Basis of Ecological Function
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Emmett
ISSN:	1385-0237
Additional Keywords:	Site suitability, Seed dispersal traits, Seed availability, Primary succession
NORA Subject Terms:	Agriculture and Soil Science Ecology and Environment
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date made live:	24 Feb 2010 10:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/5959

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