Intertidal plant communities of an arctic salt marsh: The influence of isostatic uplift and herbivory
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Authors: D. S. Srivastava, and R. L. Jefferies
Date: 2002
Journal: EcoScience
Volume: 9
Number: 1
Pages: 112-118
Summary of Methods: The effects of isostatic uplift and goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) herbivory on vegetation composition were measured in the La Perouse Bay in Manitoba. There were 4 major plant communities present within the study area and elevational gradients altered by isostatic uplift determined which plant community was present at a site. However, the data suggested that goose herbivory negatively effected plant cover and increased erosion and pond formation, which was the ultimate cause of vegetation loss and degradation in this salt marsh over time. Based on these results, the authors determined that the effects of isostatic uplift were minimal, within this salt marsh, compared to the effects of goose herbivory. Recovery of the salt marsh vegetation would most likely be limited following removal of goose herbivory due to degradation of the plant growth environment.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: lesser snow goose, chen caerulescens caerulescens, grubbing, grazing, species assemblages, abiotic factors, salt marsh
Annotation: None
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