ABSTRACT
Human coastal occupation often leads to the degradation of the structural properties and environmental functions of natural coastlines. . Much research has been done on the cost-effectiveness of various living shorelines designs, however more work is needed for simple, small-scale designs that are typically adopted in waterfront residential or recreational properties. To contribute to this gap, we planted small-scale plots of black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) in two sites, one in a residential property and another one in a recreational property in the Northern Gulf of Mexico that experienced significant wave energy. Plots were planted at two different densities (50% or 100% initial cover) or left unplanted (controls) and, along with monitoring the evolution of the planted salt marsh, we measured a number of functional metrics including soil slope, abundance of nekton within and in front of the plots, and cover of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in front of the plots monthly over two years. In one of the sites plant cover decreased precipitously, and in the other site we did not observe any significant changes in plant cover over time (i.e. the initial 50% and 100% plantings remained at that level throughout the experiment) despite protecting the planted salt marsh with coir logs. We did not find any changes in soil slope or nekton abundance between planted and control plots. SAV growth was restrained in front of planted plots in relation to control plots, possibly due to deleterious impacts by the coir logs. Overall, the results suggest the protection against wave energy attained in this experiment is insufficient for adequate saltmarsh establishment and growth, thereby encountering decreasing or stationary plant density and no significant differences in soil slope or nekton abundance between planted and non-planted plots. Our results indicate the adoption of small-scale saltmarsh planting to reduce erosion and enhance coastal functionality needs to ensure that wave energy is sufficiently dampened for adequate saltmarsh growth and, concomitantly, the conceived saltmarsh protection mechanism does not negatively impact adjacent SAV.
Subject(s)
Plants , Wetlands , Ecosystem , Gulf of Mexico , Humans , SoilABSTRACT
Halophytes are capable of growing in saline environments. However, this attribute results from a wide genetic variability, making it difficult to approximate halophytes' agroecological management. We examined the hydro-climatological attributes associated with the distribution of species of the genus Suaeda in NW Mexico and SW USA, and for S. edulis in central México. The analysis focused on the introduction of the semi-domesticated species Suaeda edulis as a new crop, from central regions of México, reaching an average yield of 8 Mg ha-1 of biomass, to arid NW México. The list of Suaeda species was elaborated from the eHALOPH and Calflora databases, and the NW México Herbarium Network. According to the Hydro-Environmental Availability Index (HEAI), the central regions of Mexico reflect a greater water availability, suitable for S. edulis. In such a humid region, HEAI varied from 6 to 18, indicating sufficient moisture for crops. In contrast, other Suaeda species, including S. nigra, S. esteroa, and S. californica, spread in NW Mexico and SW United States, where the water availability is null during the year, with HEAI scoring from 0 to 4. Under such dryness, S. edulis in NW Mexico will require water through optimized irrigation and plant breeding strategies to ensure its viability as a new crop.
ABSTRACT
The Gulf of Mexico blue carbon habitats (mangroves, seagrass, and salt marshes) form an important North American blue carbon hot spot. These habitats cover 2,161,446â¯ha and grow profusely in estuaries that occupy 38,000â¯km2 to store substantial sedimentary organic carbon of 480.48â¯Tgâ¯C. New investigations around GoM for Mexican mangroves, Louisiana salt marshes and seagrasses motivated our integration of buried organic carbon to elucidate a new estimate of GoM blue carbon stocks. Factors creating this include: large GoM watersheds enriching carbon slowly flowing through shallow estuarine habitats with long residence times; fewer SE Mexican hurricanes allowing enhanced carbon storage; mangrove carbon productivity enhanced by warm southern basin winter temperatures; large Preservation reserves amongst high anthropogenic development. The dominant total GoM mangrove blue carbon stock 196.88â¯Tg from total mangrove extent 650,482â¯ha is highlighted from new Mexican data. Mexican mangrove organic carbon stock is 112.74â¯Tg (1st sediment meter) plus USA 84.14â¯Tg. Mexican mangroves vary greatly in storage, total carbon depositional depths and in sediment age (to 3500â¯y). We report Mexican mangrove's conservative storage fraction for the normally-compared top meter, whereas the full storage depth estimates ranging above 366.78â¯Tg (high productivity in very deep sediment along the central Veracruz/Tabasco coast) are not reflected in our reported estimates. Seagrasses stock of 184.1â¯Tgâ¯C organic is derived from 972,327â¯ha areal extent (in 1st meter). The Louisiana marshes form the heart of GoM salt marsh carbon storage 99.5â¯Tg (in 1st meter), followed by lesser stocks in Florida, Texas, finally Mexico derived from salt marsh extent totaling 650,482â¯ha. Constraints on the partial estuarine fluxes given for this new data are discussed as well as widespread anthropogenic destruction of the GoM blue carbon. A new North American comparison of our GoM blue carbon stocks versus Atlantic coastal blue carbon stock estimates is presented.
Subject(s)
Carbon/analysis , Environmental Monitoring , Geologic Sediments/chemistry , Ecosystem , Estuaries , Gulf of MexicoABSTRACT
The only breeding record of Spartonoica maluroides (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) for Brazil is based on the observation of a fledgling in southern Rio Grande do Sul in January 1976. On 7 December 2005 we discovered a nest containing three nestlings at the southeastern end of Lagoa Pequena, municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The nest was concealed at the base of a cavity in a Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) tussock located at the edge of a saltmarsh. The nest was built of fine pieces of dead Scirpus olneyi (Cyperaceae) and S. densiflora leaves firmly interlaced to the internal leaves of the tussock. Live leaves of S. densiflora lining the cavity comprised a substantial part of the nest's architecture, forming most of its upper lateral walls and roof. The lower section was more elaborate, resembling a deep cup and forming a distinct incubation chamber. Adults reached the nest's interior through an irregular apical opening amidst the leaves. The nest was 244 mm high and 140 mm wide. The incubation chamber had an external diameter of 138.5 mm, an internal diameter of 79.4 mm and was 86 mm deep. It was lined with fine leaves and white plant fibers. Nestlings were five to six days old. A total of 107 neossoptiles restricted to the capital, spinal and alar tracts were recorded in one nestling. The distribution of neossoptiles in the ocular region of S. maluroides forms a distinct pattern which can be typical of Furnariidae and related families. Two adults attended the nest, bringing small insects to the nestlings and removing fecal sacs. We recorded at least 74 visits to the nest during a ca. 6 h period during an afternoon. The average number of visits per hour was 12.8 ± 1.3. An adult bird spent on average 0.7 ± 0.56 minutes inside the nest attending nestlings. The nest remained unattended on average for 3.61 ± 3.13 minutes. The hour of the day had no influence on the amount of time spent by an adult in the nest or away from it. We returned to the area on 15 December 2005 and found the nest abandoned. Observations confirm that S. maluroides is a resident breeder in southern Brazil and that the saltmarshes of the Lagoa do Patos estuary are an important year-round habitat for the species. A nestling and the nest were collected to document the record.
O único registro de reprodução de Spartonoica maluroides (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) no Brasil é baseado na observação de um filhote recém-saído do ninho no sul do Rio Grande do Sul em janeiro de 1976. Em 7 de dezembro de 2005, descobrimos um ninho contendo três filhotes na extremidade sudoeste da Lagoa Pequena, município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. O ninho estava oculto na base de uma cavidade dentro de uma touceira de Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) situada na margem de uma marisma. O ninho era constituído de pedaços delgados de folhas mortas de Scirpus olneyi (Cyperaceae) e S. densiflora firmemente entrelaçados às folhas da touceira. Folhas vivas de S. densiflora que orlavam a cavidade compreendiam uma parte substancial da arquitetura do ninho, constituindo a maior parte da porção superior das paredes laterais e o teto. A seção inferior era mais elaborada, similar a uma taça profunda e formando uma câmara incubatória distinta. Os adultos acessavam o ninho através de uma abertura apical de formato irregular por entre as folhas. O ninho media 244 mm de altura e 140 mm de largura. A câmara incubatória apresentava um diâmetro externo de 138,5 mm, um diâmetro interno de 79,4 mm e uma profundidade de 86 mm, sendo forrada de folhas delgadas e fibras vegetais brancas. Os ninhegos tinham de cinco a seis dias de idade. Um ninhego exibiu um total de 107 neossóptilas restritas aos tratos capital, espinal e alar. A distribuição das neossóptilas na região ocular de S. maluroides forma um padrão distinto que pode ser típico de Furnariidae e famílias afins. Dois adultos atendiam o ninho, trazendo pequenos insetos para os ninhegos e removendo sacos fecais. Registramos pelo menos 74 visitas ao ninho em um período de ca. 6 h durante uma tarde. O número médio de visitas por hora foi de 12,8 ± 1,3. Os adultos permaneceram em média 0,7 ± 0,56 minutos dentro do ninho atendendo os filhotes. O ninho permaneceu sem atendimento em média por 3,61 ± 3,13 minutos. O horário do dia não influenciou o tempo de permanência dos adultos no ninho ou longe deste. Retornamos ao local em 15 de dezembro de 2005 e encontramos o ninho abandonado. Observações confirmam que S. maluroides é um residente reprodutor no sul do Brasil e que as marismas do estuário da Lagoa dos Patos constituem um importante hábitat para a espécie durante todo o ano. Um ninhego e o ninho foram coletados para documentar o registro.
ABSTRACT
The only breeding record of Spartonoica maluroides (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) for Brazil is based on the observation of a fledgling in southern Rio Grande do Sul in January 1976. On 7 December 2005 we discovered a nest containing three nestlings at the southeastern end of Lagoa Pequena, municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The nest was concealed at the base of a cavity in a Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) tussock located at the edge of a saltmarsh. The nest was built of fine pieces of dead Scirpus olneyi (Cyperaceae) and S. densiflora leaves firmly interlaced to the internal leaves of the tussock. Live leaves of S. densiflora lining the cavity comprised a substantial part of the nest's architecture, forming most of its upper lateral walls and roof. The lower section was more elaborate, resembling a deep cup and forming a distinct incubation chamber. Adults reached the nest's interior through an irregular apical opening amidst the leaves. The nest was 244 mm high and 140 mm wide. The incubation chamber had an external diameter of 138.5 mm, an internal diameter of 79.4 mm and was 86 mm deep. It was lined with fine leaves and white plant fibers. Nestlings were five to six days old. A total of 107 neossoptiles restricted to the capital, spinal and alar tracts were recorded in one nestling. The distribution of neossoptiles in the ocular region of S. maluroides forms a distinct pattern which can be typical of Furnariidae and related families. Two adults attended the nest, bringing small insects to the nestlings and removing fecal sacs. We recorded at least 74 visits to the nest during a ca. 6 h period during an afternoon. The average number of visits per hour was 12.8 ± 1.3. An adult bird spent on average 0.7 ± 0.56 minutes inside the nest attending nestlings. The nest remained unattended on average for 3.61 ± 3.13 minutes. The hour of the day had no influence on the amount of time spent by an adult in the nest or away from it. We returned to the area on 15 December 2005 and found the nest abandoned. Observations confirm that S. maluroides is a resident breeder in southern Brazil and that the saltmarshes of the Lagoa do Patos estuary are an important year-round habitat for the species. A nestling and the nest were collected to document the record.
O único registro de reprodução de Spartonoica maluroides (d'Orbigny & Lafresnaye, 1837) no Brasil é baseado na observação de um filhote recém-saído do ninho no sul do Rio Grande do Sul em janeiro de 1976. Em 7 de dezembro de 2005, descobrimos um ninho contendo três filhotes na extremidade sudoeste da Lagoa Pequena, município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. O ninho estava oculto na base de uma cavidade dentro de uma touceira de Spartina densiflora (Poaceae) situada na margem de uma marisma. O ninho era constituído de pedaços delgados de folhas mortas de Scirpus olneyi (Cyperaceae) e S. densiflora firmemente entrelaçados às folhas da touceira. Folhas vivas de S. densiflora que orlavam a cavidade compreendiam uma parte substancial da arquitetura do ninho, constituindo a maior parte da porção superior das paredes laterais e o teto. A seção inferior era mais elaborada, similar a uma taça profunda e formando uma câmara incubatória distinta. Os adultos acessavam o ninho através de uma abertura apical de formato irregular por entre as folhas. O ninho media 244 mm de altura e 140 mm de largura. A câmara incubatória apresentava um diâmetro externo de 138,5 mm, um diâmetro interno de 79,4 mm e uma profundidade de 86 mm, sendo forrada de folhas delgadas e fibras vegetais brancas. Os ninhegos tinham de cinco a seis dias de idade. Um ninhego exibiu um total de 107 neossóptilas restritas aos tratos capital, espinal e alar. A distribuição das neossóptilas na região ocular de S. maluroides forma um padrão distinto que pode ser típico de Furnariidae e famílias afins. Dois adultos atendiam o ninho, trazendo pequenos insetos para os ninhegos e removendo sacos fecais. Registramos pelo menos 74 visitas ao ninho em um período de ca. 6 h durante uma tarde. O número médio de visitas por hora foi de 12,8 ± 1,3. Os adultos permaneceram em média 0,7 ± 0,56 minutos dentro do ninho atendendo os filhotes. O ninho permaneceu sem atendimento em média por 3,61 ± 3,13 minutos. O horário do dia não influenciou o tempo de permanência dos adultos no ninho ou longe deste. Retornamos ao local em 15 de dezembro de 2005 e encontramos o ninho abandonado. Observações confirmam que S. maluroides é um residente reprodutor no sul do Brasil e que as marismas do estuário da Lagoa dos Patos constituem um importante hábitat para a espécie durante todo o ano. Um ninhego e o ninho foram coletados para documentar o registro.
ABSTRACT
The growth study in width of Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 was based on biometric data of 1,940 specimens colleted at Lagoa do Peixe, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samplings were realized from July/1994 to June/1995. For each captured specimens the sex and width of cephalothorax were recorded. The von Bertalanffy's model was utilized for the growth description. The growth curves in width (mm), for data obtained through the modal progression, are described by the equations: Lt= 44,69 [1- e -0.0066(t+20,45)] and Lt= 37,63 [1- e -0.0072(t+21,92)], resulting in a maximum estimated age of 2 years for males and females.
O estudo do crescimento em largura da carapaça de Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 foi baseado em dados de 1940 exemplares coletados na Lagoa do Peixe, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de julho/1994 a junho/1995. Os caranguejos foram coletados manualmente nas margens da lagoa e em laboratório foram separados por sexo e a largura da carapaça mensurada. O modelo de von Bertalanffy foi utilizado para a descrição do crescimento. As curvas de crescimento em largura (mm), para dados obtidos através da progressão modal, são descritas pelas equações: Lt= 44,69 [1- e -0.0066(t+20,45)] e Lt= 37,63 [1- e -0.0072(t+21,92)], resultando em idades máximas estimadas de 2 anos para ambos os sexos.
ABSTRACT
The growth study in width of Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 was based on biometric data of 1,940 specimens colleted at Lagoa do Peixe, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The samplings were realized from July/1994 to June/1995. For each captured specimens the sex and width of cephalothorax were recorded. The von Bertalanffy's model was utilized for the growth description. The growth curves in width (mm), for data obtained through the modal progression, are described by the equations: Lt= 44,69 [1- e -0.0066(t+20,45)] and Lt= 37,63 [1- e -0.0072(t+21,92)], resulting in a maximum estimated age of 2 years for males and females.
O estudo do crescimento em largura da carapaça de Chasmagnathus granulatus Dana, 1851 foi baseado em dados de 1940 exemplares coletados na Lagoa do Peixe, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. As coletas foram realizadas de julho/1994 a junho/1995. Os caranguejos foram coletados manualmente nas margens da lagoa e em laboratório foram separados por sexo e a largura da carapaça mensurada. O modelo de von Bertalanffy foi utilizado para a descrição do crescimento. As curvas de crescimento em largura (mm), para dados obtidos através da progressão modal, são descritas pelas equações: Lt= 44,69 [1- e -0.0066(t+20,45)] e Lt= 37,63 [1- e -0.0072(t+21,92)], resultando em idades máximas estimadas de 2 anos para ambos os sexos.