Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
The Functions and Values of Fringing Salt Marshes in Northern New England, USA
Abstract
We compared the functions and values of fringing salt marshes to those of meadow marshes along the southern Maine/New Hampshire coast. Differences included soil organic matter content, plant species richness, and percent cover of high and low-marsh species. More sediment was trapped per unit area in fringing marshes than in meadow marshes, but this difference was not significant. Similarities included aboveground and belowground peak season biomass and the ability to dampen wave energy. Both marsh types reduced the height of waves coming onto the marsh surface by 63% only 7 m into the marsh. Fringing marshes are diverse in terms of their physical characteristics (width, length, slope, elevation, soils). Despite their small size, they are valuable components of estuaries, performing many ecological functions to the same degree as nearby meadow marshes. More effort should be made to include them in regional efforts to conserve and restore coastal habitats.
Department
Jackson Estuarine Laboratory, Natural Resources and the Environment
Publication Date
5-1-2009
Journal Title
Estuaries and Coasts
Publisher
Springer
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1007/s12237-009-9145-0
Document Type
Article
Rights
© Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation 2009
Recommended Citation
Morgan, P.A., D.M. Burdick and F.T. Short. 2009. The functions and values of fringing salt marshes in northern New England, USA. Estuaries and Coasts 32:483-495. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12237-009-9145-0