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Are all intertidal wetlands naturally created equal? Bottlenecks, thresholds and knowledge gaps to mangrove and saltmarsh ecosystems
Friess, D.A.; Krauss, K.W.; Horstman, E.M.; Balke, T.; Bouma, T.J.; Galli, D.; Webb, E.L. (2012). Are all intertidal wetlands naturally created equal? Bottlenecks, thresholds and knowledge gaps to mangrove and saltmarsh ecosystems. Biol. Rev. 87(2): 346-366. dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-185X.2011.00198.x
In: Biological Reviews. Cambridge Philosophical Society: Cambridge. ISSN 1464-7931; e-ISSN 1469-185X
Peer reviewed article  
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  • Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee: Open Theseus Archive 226747 [ download pdf ]
  • NIOZ: NIOZ files 258300
Keywords
    Colonisation
    Disciplines > Biology > Genetics > Population genetics > Gene flow
    Dispersal phenomena
    Life history
    Temporal variations > Long-term changes > Sea level changes
    Water bodies > Inland waters > Wetlands > Marshes > Salt marshes
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    colonization; dispersal; establishment; gene flow; life history; propagule; restoration; salt marsh; sea level rise
Project Top | Authors 
  • Innovative coastal technologies for safer European coasts in a changing climate
Authors  Top 
  • Friess, D.A.
  • Krauss, K.W.
  • Horstman, E.M.
  • Balke, T.
  • Bouma, T.J.
  • Galli, D.
  • Webb, E.L.
Abstract
    Intertidal wetlands such as saltmarshes and mangroves provide numerous important ecological functions, though they are in rapid and global decline. To better conserve and restore these wetland ecosystems, we need an understanding of the fundamental natural bottlenecks and thresholds to their establishment and long-term ecological maintenance. Despite inhabiting similar intertidal positions, the biological traits of these systems differ markedly in structure, phenology, life history, phylogeny and dispersal, suggesting large differences in biophysical interactions. By providing the first systematic comparison between saltmarshes and mangroves, we unravel how the interplay between species-specific life-history traits, biophysical interactions and biogeomorphological feedback processes determine where, when and what wetland can establish, the thresholds to long-term ecosystem stability, and constraints to genetic connectivity between intertidal wetland populations at the landscape level. To understand these process interactions, research into the constraints to wetland development, and biological adaptations to overcome these critical bottlenecks and thresholds requires a truly interdisciplinary approach.
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