| Abstract: | Tidal wetlands experiencing increased rates of sea-level rise (SLR) must increase rates of soil elevation gain to avoid permanent conversion to open water. The maximal rate of SLR that these ecosystems can tolerate depends partly on mineral sediment deposition, but the accumulation of organic matter is equally important for many wetlands. Plant productivity drives organic matter dynamics and is sensitive to global change factors, such as rising atmospheric CO2 concentration. It remains unknown how global change will influence organic mechanisms that determine future tidal wetland viability. Here, we present experimental evidence that plant response to elevated atmospheric [CO2] stimulates biogenic mechanisms of elevation gain in a brackish marsh. Elevated CO2 (ambient 340 ppm) accelerated soil elevation gain by 3.9 mm yr1 in this 2-year field study, an effect mediated by stimulation of below-ground plant productivity. Further, a companion greenhouse experiment revealed that the CO2 effect was enhanced under salinity and flooding conditions likely to accompany future SLR. Our results indicate that by stimulating biogenic contributions to marsh elevation, increases in the greenhouse gas, CO2, may paradoxically aid some coastal wetlands in counterbalancing rising seas. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 5224949 |
| Citation Author: | Langley, J.A.; McKee, K.L.; Cahoon, D.R.; Cherry, J.A.; Megonigala, J.P. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
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| Citation End Page: | 6186 |
| Citation Issue: | 15 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 5 |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | 6182-6186 |
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| Citation Public Comments: | 7086_Langley.pdf |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Elevated CO2 stimulates marsh elevation gain, counterbalancing sea-level rise; 2009; Article; Journal; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA; Langley, J.A.; McKee, K.L.; Cahoon, D.R.; Cherry, J.A.; Megonigala, J.P. |
| Citation Start Page: | 6182 |
| Citation Volume: | 106 |
| Citation Year: | 2009 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Elevated CO2 stimulates marsh elevation gain, counterbalancing sea-level rise; 2009; Article; Journal; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA; Langley, J.A.; McKee, K.L.; Cahoon, D.R.; Cherry, J.A.; Megonigala, J.P. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DOCUMENT): | http://www.pnas.org/content/106/15/6182.abstract ; http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/03/25/0807695106.full.pdf+htmlY |
| Date Other: | Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:18 -0500 |
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