Angiosperm production of three Virginia marshes in various salinity and soil nutrient regimes

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Chesapeake Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1350573· OSTI ID:7263600

Mendelssohn, I A; Marcellus, K L

The net aerial angiosperm productivity, salinity, and soil nutrient composition of three Virginia marshes were determined. Oligohaline Ware Creek Marsh and mesohaline Carter Creek Marsh were most productive, 563 and 572 g m/sup -2/yr/sup -1/, respectively, while euhaline Wachapreague Marsh was least productive, 362 g m/sup -2/yr/sup -1/. Species in Carter and Ware Creek Marshes were clustered into associations based on salinity tolerance. Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of Spartina alterniflora tissue were high in the spring and decreased as the growing season continued. Soil nutrient concentrations were variable, and trends during the growing season were not discernible. No significant correlations were found between soil and plant nutrient concentrations. Although the empirical data suggests that high soil salinity and low soil nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations limited primary productivity in Wachapreague Marsh, a multiple regression of standing crop on there parameters did not delineate any as the primary factor limiting salt marsh production.

• Research Organization: Virginia Inst. of Marine Science, Gloucester Point
• OSTI ID: 7263600
• Journal Information: Chesapeake Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Chesapeake Sci.; (United States) Vol. 17:1; ISSN CPSCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BIOMASS
CHESAPEAKE BAY
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ECOSYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
MARSHES
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
NUTRIENTS
PHOSPHORUS
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SALINITY
SEAS
SEASONS
SOILS
SURFACE WATERS