Development of infaunal populations and below-ground organic matter from three created Spartina alterniflora marshes in Galveston Bay, Texas /

5 and 9 years) were compared with a newly created marsh in

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Goldberg, Alisha Renee
Format: Thesis eBook
Language:English
Published: [Place of publication not identified] : [publisher not identified] ; 1996.
Subjects:
Online Access:Link to OAKTrust copy
Description
Summary:5 and 9 years) were compared with a newly created marsh in
abundance and sediment parameters, two created marshes (ages
also examined. overall infaunal densities and species
alterniflora. The vertical distribution of the infauna was
and low infaunal abundance. However, organic matter and
as food by estuarine animals. Newly created marshes often
collected in cores at culms of Spartina alterniflora, and
correlated with high infaunal abundances, more animals were
detritus biomass, and sediment organic content and grain
have relatively low levels of organic matter in the sediments
have stimulated efforts to create marshes on dredged
High rates of wetland loss in the northern Gulf of Mexico
infaunal populations in created marshes may develop over
levels were lowest in the newest marsh. There was no general
marsh was dominated by the subsurface deposit feeding
material. These marshes may not function similarly to their
matter and detritus and infaunal abundance. However, there
matter over the two-year study period, and organic matter
most of the infauna were found in the upper 2.5 cm of
natural counterparts in supporting infaunal populations used
organic matter concentrations control infaunal populations.
polychaete, Capitella capitata, while the two older marshes
relationship appeared strongest during spring and summer.
relationship between concentrations of sediment organic
richness in the youngest marsh were comparable to those in
Samples were collected at and between culms of Spartina
sediment. There was evidence of accumulation of organic
size, at different elevations in each of the marshes.
Streblospio benedicti. In general, low elevation was
taken quarterly to measure infaunal density, live root and
the amount of live roots and rhizomes present, and this
the other marshes within the first year. However, the newest
The results of this study suggest that factors other than
the same location. over a two-year period, core samples were
time. To examine the relationships between infaunal
was a positive relationship between infaunal abundance and
were dominated by the surface deposit feeding polychaete,
Item Description:"Major subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences".
Vita.
Physical Description:x, 91 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm.
Also available online.
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Bibliography:Includes bibliographical references: pages 78-90.