Mapping trade-offs among key ecosystem functions in tidal marsh to inform spatial management policy for exotic Spartina alterniflora

Wenzhen Zhao; Xiuzhen Li; Liming Xue; Shiwei Lin; Yuxi Ma; Lin Su; Zeyuan Li; Lv Gong; Zhongzheng Yan; Peter I Macreadie

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119216

Mapping trade-offs among key ecosystem functions in tidal marsh to inform spatial management policy for exotic Spartina alterniflora

J Environ Manage. 2023 Dec 15:348:119216. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119216. Epub 2023 Oct 14.

Authors

Wenzhen Zhao¹, Xiuzhen Li², Liming Xue¹, Shiwei Lin³, Yuxi Ma¹, Lin Su¹, Zeyuan Li¹, Lv Gong¹, Zhongzheng Yan¹, Peter I Macreadie⁴

Affiliations

¹ State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, Shanghai, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Institute of Eco-Chongming, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China; Yangtze Delta Estuarine Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education and Shanghai Science and Technology Committee, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: xzLi@sklec.ecnu.edu.cn.
³ College of Plant Protection, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China.
⁴ Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia.

PMID: 37839209
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119216

Abstract

Invasive Spartina alterniflora has become a global management challenge in coastal wetlands. China has decided to eradicate it completely, but the high costs and its provision of beneficial ecosystem functions (EF, in the form of blue carbon and coastal protection) have raised concerns about its removal. Here, using the Yangtze Estuary as a case study, we explore a reasonable pathway of S. alterniflora management that balanced control of invasive species and EF. We simulated the spatial patterns of two key EF - blue carbon storage and wave attenuation - and identified appropriate zones for eradicating S. alterniflora based on their trade-offs. We observed contrasting patterns along the land-sea gradient for S. alterniflora community, with a decrease in blue carbon storage and an increase in wave attenuation. Notably, pioneer S. alterniflora near the foreshore displayed a high cluster of blue carbon storage (63.61 ± 7.33 Mg C ha^-1) and dissipated nearly 70% of wave energy by a width of 163 m. The trade-offs between the two EF indicated that the eradication project should be implemented along the seawall rather than the foreshore. Even in the scenario of prioritized shore defense with the largest eradication zone, S. alterniflora still stored 43.1% more carbon (10.67 Gg C) compared to complete eradication and dissipated over 70% of wave energy in extreme events. Our study innovatively integrates eradication and reservation in S. alterniflora management, providing a sustainable and flexible spatial strategy that meets the needs of stakeholders.

Keywords: Blue carbon; Coastal; Ecosystem function; Spartina alterniflora; Tidal marsh; Wave attenuation.

MeSH terms

Carbon / analysis
China
Ecosystem*
Introduced Species
Poaceae / metabolism
Wetlands*

Substances

Carbon