Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
6307085
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Shifts in plant and soil C, N and P accumulation and C:N:P stoichiometry associated with flooding intensity in subtropical estuarine wetlands in China
Author(s)
Wang, W; Sardans, J; Wang, C; Zeng, C; Tong, C; Bartrons, M; Asensio, D; Penuelas, J
Year
2018
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
ISSN:
0272-7714
EISSN:
1096-0015
Volume
215
Page Numbers
172-184
DOI
10.1016/j.ecss.2018.09.026
Web of Science Id
WOS:000452943100018
Abstract
Flooding caused by rising sea levels can influence the biogeochemistry of estuarine wetland ecosystems. We studied the relationships of higher flooding intensity with soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in communities of the native sedge Cyperus malaccensis var. brevifolius Boecldr. in the wetlands of the Minjiang River estuary in China. The aboveground and total biomasses of C. malaccensis were higher in high-flooding habitats than in intermediate- and low-flooding habitats. These differences in plant biomass were accompanied by a lower N:P ratio in the aboveground biomass and a higher N:P ratio in the belowground biomass. Higher intensities of flooding were associated with higher soil N and P concentrations in intermediate and deep soil layers. The higher P concentration under flooding was mainly associated with the higher clay content, whereas the higher N concentration was associated with higher salinity. Flooding intensity did not have a net total effect on soil total C concentration. The positive direct effect of flooding intensity on total soil C concentration was counteracted by its positive effects on CH4 emissions and soil salinity. The results suggest that C. malaccensis wetlands will be able to maintain and even increase the current C, N and P storage capacity of the ecosystem under moderate increases of flooding in the Minjiang River estuary.
Keywords
Climate change; Storage; C:N; Nitrogen; Nutrient stoichiometry; N:P; Phosphorus; Cyperus malaccensis; Wetland
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity