| Title | Vertical zonation and niche breadth of tidal marsh plants along the northeast Pacific coast |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2019 |
| Authors | Janousek, Christopher N., Karen M. Thorne, and John Y. Takekawa |
| Secondary Title | Estuaries and Coasts |
| Volume | 42 |
| Number | 1 |
| Pagination | p.85-98 |
| Date Published | 2019, Jan. |
| Call Number | OSU Libraries: Electronic Subscription |
| Keywords | Baltic rush = Juncus balticus, Bolinas Lagoon, Chickenclaws = Sarcocornia perennis, climate change, Coos Bay, Coquille River estuary, Gray’s Harbor, invasive species, Lyngbye’s sedge = Carex lyngbyei, Mad River Slough, Morro Bay, San Diego Bay, sea levels, Seaside arrograss = Triglochin maritima, Siletz Bay, Silkweed = Potentilla anserine, Skokomish River, Stillaguamish River, Tijuana Estuary, vertical distribution, wetland vegetation, zonal distribution |
| Notes | One of the most important factors in determining which plant species will be found in a marsh is its relative elevation above sea level. Salt marsh plants tend to be distributed in zones, according to the marsh’s elevation. This phenomenon is called vertical zonation. Rising sea levels in a changing climate threaten marsh vegetation, due to sensitivity to inundation and salinity. In this paper, the authors report on studies of twelve salt marshes along the West Coast, and take a closer look at vertical zonation. They found “that many common Pacific coast species occurred across a broad range of elevations” (p.96) and noted that this factor might allow these species to persist under moderate sea level rise. They identify more sensitive species. While their work reinforces the importance of elevation, they also note site-specific variations, suggest areas for more study and advocate potential tactics to counter vegetation loss in the face of rising seas. |
| DOI | 10.1007/s12237-018-0420-9 |
| Series Title | Estuaries and Coasts |
