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Elevated CO2 stimulates marsh elevation gain, counterbalancing sea-level rise

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0807695106

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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 yr−1in 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.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Elevated CO2 stimulates marsh elevation gain, counterbalancing sea-level rise
Series title Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
DOI 10.1073/pnas.0807695106
Volume 106
Issue 15
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Contributing office(s) Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 5 p.
First page 6182
Last page 6186
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