<p>Aquatic vegetation in the pristine coastal marshes of eastern Georgian Bay (GB) provides critical spawning and foraging habitat for fish species, with complex habitat supporting the greatest diversity. These wetlands are threatened by a changing water level regime and forecasted lower water levels. To monitor and conserve these wetlands, we must understand how they function and respond to this stressor. The overall goals of this thesis are to determine the impact of declining water levels on both wetland fish habitat and the fish community as well as identify the spatial scale of habitat utilization by fishes.</p> <p>We first delineate all coastal wetlands in eastern GB, identifying 3771 wetlands that provide habitat for Great Lakes fishes. Using satellite imagery, we develop an object-based classification method to classify four types of wetland vegetation. Since submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) is not visible from satellite imagery in GB, we develop a model to predict potential area of this important habitat. The model suggests that the response of SAV to declining water levels depends on wetland geomorphology, but generally, the area of SAV decreases. To assess the response of fish habitat coverage and structure to sustained low-water levels, we classify vegetation in images collected in 2002 and 2008. The result is increasingly homogeneous habitat, a net loss of fish habitat and a decrease in fish species richness. Finally, mark-recapture and radio-tracking are used to evaluate fish movement among closely situated wetlands. Results suggest that the current distance used to group and protect small wetlands provincially (750 m), likely protects most resident fish species, but does not cover movement patterns of a top predator. This research will advance our scientific understanding of freshwater coastal ecosystems and aid in the creation of conservation strategies to mitigate future threats from declining water levels.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Coastal wetlands protect coastlines through efficient storage of organic carbon (OC) that decreases wetland vulnerability to sea level rise (SLR). Accelerated SLR is driving saltwater intrusion and altering vegetation communities and biogeochemical conditions in coastal wetlands with uncertain implications. We quantified changes in OC stocks and fluxes driven by 1) saltwater and phosphorous intrusion on freshwater and brackish marshes, 2) vegetation along an experimental saltmarsh to mangrove gradient, 3) saltwater intrusion and vegetation change across a marsh to mangrove ecotone, and 4) vegetation change and mangrove forest development along a marsh to mangrove ecotone. Increasing salinity in freshwater marshes decreased root biomass and soil elevation within one year. In brackish marshes, increased salinity decreased root productivity and biomass and increased root breakdown rate (k), while added salinity did not increase elevation loss. In our experimental marsh-mangrove ecotone, mangrove vegetation promoted higher organic carbon (OC) storage by increasing above and belowground biomass and reducing organic matter k. However, mangroves also increased belowground k, and decreased allochthonous marine subsidies, indicating the potential for OC storage trade-offs. In the Southeast Everglades, we identified strong interior-coastal gradients in soil stoichiometry and mangrove cover. Interior freshwater soil conditions increased k, while total soil OC stocks decreased toward the coast indicating that saltwater intrusion is driving large scale soil OC loss. In the southeast Everglades, mangrove expansion increased root biomass and root productivity, but did not mitigate the overall loss of OC stocks toward the coast. Similarly, in the southwest Everglades, saltwater intrusion drove a decrease in soil OC. However, mangrove encroachment drove a rapid recovery and increased OC stocks. Mangrove encroachment doubled aboveground biomass within the last ten years, increased it 30 times in the last 30 years, and doubled belowground biomass after 20 years. Our research shows that 1) moderate saltwater intrusion without mangrove encroachment will lead to a loss in OC stocks and potentially lead to wetland elevation loss and submergence, 2) in the absence of a change in saltwater intrusion, mangrove expansion can enhance OC storage 3) mangrove expansion can mitigate OC loss during saltwater intrusion, but this pattern depends on mangrove recruitment and ecosystem productivity.

Populations of black mangroves (Avicennia sp.) are hypothesized to expand their latitudinal range with global climate change in the 21st century, induced by a reduction in the frequency and severity of coastal freezes, which are known to limit mangrove colony extent and individual tree size, as well as an overall warmer climate. The Gulf of Mexico is located at the northward limit of black mangrove habitat and is therefore a prime candidate for population expansion with global warming. This expansion may come at the expense of existing Gulf coastal saline wetlands that are dominantly Spartina spp. marsh grasses. The present study was conducted to focus, not on the extent to date of this replacement, but to examine the potential implications of a marsh to mangrove transition in Gulf wetlands, specifically 1) resistance to accelerating eustatic sea level rise (ESLR) rates, 2) wetland resistance to wave attack in large storms (increased cyclonic storm frequency/intensity is predicted with future climate warming), and 3) organic carbon sequestration and wetland soil geochemistry. Field sites of adjacent and intergrown Avicennia mangrove and Spartina marsh populations in similar geomorphological setting were selected in back-barrier areas near Port Aransas and Galveston, TX (two sites each) as part of a larger-scale planned study of the full latitudinal transition of the western Gulf funded by the National Institute for Climate Change Research (U.S. Department of Energy). The reconnaissance conducted for site surveys show that black mangrove populations in this part of Texas are clustered near inlet areas, suggesting seed transport vectors are a major control on colony establishment, and likely, on the potential rapidity of wetland habitat replacement. Resistance to ESLR was tested by 1) creating high-accuracy (±1 cm) elevation maps over ~5,000 m² areas of adjacent mangrove and marsh areas, and 2) measuring mineral and organic matter accumulation rates (Pb/Cs radiotracer geochronology, loss on ignition) from auger cores. Elevation surveys in Port Aransas indicate mangrove vegetated areas are 4 cm higher in elevation than surrounding marsh on an average regional scale, and 1 to 2 cm higher at the individual mangrove scale: at the Galveston sites, any trend is complicated by the area's pre-existing geomorphology and the relative youth of the mangrove colonies. ¹³⁷Cs accumulation rates and loss on ignition data indicate that mineral trapping is 4.1 times higher and sediment organics are 1.7 times lower in mangroves at Port Aransas; no such definable trends exist at the Galveston sites or in calculated ²¹⁰Pb sediment accumulation rates. This additional mineral particle trapping in mangroves does not differ in grain size character from marsh mineral accumulation. Elevation change may also be effected by root volume displacement: live root weight measurements in the rooted horizon (~0 to 20 cm depth) are consistently higher in mangrove cores from Port Aransas and the site at the west end of Galveston Island. Port Aransas porosities are lower in mangrove rooted horizons, with a corresponding increase in sediment strength (measured by shear vane in the cores), suggesting mangrove intervals may be more resistant to wave-induced erosion during storm events. Port Aransas mangroves exhibit higher pore water redox potentials and salinities over entire core depths and depressed pH over rooted intervals, suggesting a distinct diagenetic environment exists relative to marsh sites. Increased salinities and higher redox potentials may be a function of the rooting network, which introduces oxygen into the sediment and focuses evapo-transpiration and salt exclusion within this zone: this may prove advantageous when competing with marsh grasses by elevating salinities to levels that are toxic for Spartina. Trends observed in the more mature systems of Port Aransas are generally absent at the Galveston sites, suggesting the youth and physically shorter stature of these systems means they have not yet established a unique sediment signature. / text

<p>Seasonal and annual water-level fluctuation is a primary mechanism that maintains high aquatic biodiversity in coastal marshes of the Laurentian Great Lakes by preventing formation of dense mono-cultures of emergent or submergent plants. The past 14 years of sustained low water levels in Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) have prompted proposals to impound coastal wetlands as a way to mitigate against desiccation. We hypothesize that a loss of hydrological connection with the Great Lakes would lead to altered water chemistry and an expansion of emergent vegetation at the expense of aquatic habitat. This could result in a fish community with reduced diversity which may positively impact the larval amphibian community. On the other hand, bird communities may respond with only short-term gains, and may not demonstrate long-term benefits without active management. We investigate how long-term severance of hydrological connection between coastal marshes and Georgian Bay affect ecosystem functions. We compare food web components of a chain of three coastal wetlands in Tadenac Bay that were sequentially impounded by beaver activities over the past 5 decades. We also surveyed the food web of Wye Marsh, which was impounded over 80 years ago, and compare it with that of Matchedash Bay, which had never been impounded. In both cases, there were negative impacts of impoundment on water chemistry, vegetation and fish communities. Bird communities showed no significant differences but larval amphibian diversity was greater in the beaver impoundments than in the hydrologically connected coastal wetland. Based on our results, we do not recommend impounding Georgian Bay wetlands as a means to restore and maintain water levels.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / Este trabalho foi dividido em trÃs capÃtulos e teve por objetivos: 1) Quantificar o estoque de blue carbon nos solos do CearÃ; 2) Avaliar os mÃtodos de quantificaÃÃo de carbono orgÃnico dos solos (COS) nos manguezais; 3) Avaliar a emissÃo de gases de efeito estufa (CO2 e CH4) oriunda dos solos dos manguezais cearenses. No primeiro capÃtulo, foram feitas associaÃÃes das unidades fitoecolÃgicas (UF) com os tipos de solos cearenses por meio de tÃcnicas de geoprocessamento, combinando as informaÃÃes da densidade do solo e dos teores de carbono nas classes de solo contidas em cada UF. Os resultados mostram que a massa de carbono contido no solo cearense à estimada em 374.123.384,15 Mg. Os manguezais contribuem com 0,35 % da massa de carbono, uma vez que suas Ãrea nÃo ultrapassa 0,1% do CearÃ. Por outro lado, os dados do estoque de carbono (EC) indicam que os manguezais armazenam 8.241,39 Mg C km-2 , equivalente a 3 vezes o EC das demais UF. Este resultado poderia ser ainda mais importantes caso os manguezais cearenses estivessem sob um menor impacto antrÃpico. No segundo capÃtulo, os teores de COS foram quantificados por meio de diferentes mÃtodos quÃmicos (variaÃÃes do mÃtodo Walkley & Black), reflectÃncia espectral e termogravimetria cujos resultados foram comparados com os obtidos por meio do analisador elementar (AE). No tocante Ãs anÃlises quÃmicas, a secagem das amostras favoreceu a acurÃcia do mÃtodo quÃmico, uma vez que esta promoveu a oxidaÃÃo dos compostos reduzidos causadores de interferÃncia. A utilizaÃÃo de fontes externas de aquecimento acarretou em maior interferÃncia no mÃtodo quÃmico e, sob uma concentraÃÃo de H2SO4 6 M, o mÃtodo quÃmico apresentou-se viÃvel para a quantificaÃÃo do COS em manguezais. A utilizaÃÃo da tÃcnica de reflectÃncia espectral apresentou correlaÃÃes fracas com os valores de carbono via AE, o que impossibilitou a utilizaÃÃo deste mÃtodo, fazendo necessÃrio um estudo mais aprofundado para a adequaÃÃo deste mÃtodo ao estudo do COS em manguezais. Os resultados obtidos pela termogravimetria apresentaram a correlaÃÃo mais forte com AE (r = 0,927), caracterizando como o mÃtodo mais adequado para a quantificaÃÃo do COS, desde que utilizado um fator de correÃÃo (f = 0,27) para a conversÃo dos valores de matÃria orgÃnica do solo em COS. No Ãltimo capÃtulo, foram quantificados os fluxos mÃdios de CO2 e CH4 correlacionando os valores de fluxo com os atributos do solo. Os fluxos de CO2 variaram entre 16,4Â3,7 e 44,4Â2,2 mg m-2 h-1. A maior emissÃo de CO2 foi determinada pelas condiÃÃes edÃficas (maior EC, maior concentraÃÃo de carbono orgÃnico dissolvido e menor grau de piritizaÃÃo). Em mÃdia, os emissÃes de CO2 em solos de mangue corresponde a apenas 2% da emissÃo causada pela agricultura. As concentraÃÃes de CH4 estiveram abaixo do limite de detecÃÃo do equipamento utilizado e, portanto, o fluxo mÃdio de metano nÃo pode ser quantificado. O baixo fluxo de metano està relacionado à abundÃncia de aceptores de elÃtrons mais energÃticos que impendem a metanogÃnese, alÃm da presenÃa de microrganismos que oxidam o CH4 antes deste alcanÃar a atmosfera / This work was divided into three chapters and aimed to: 1) Quantify the blue carbon soils stock at Cearà state (NE-Brazil); 2) Evaluate the methods for quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) in the mangroves; and 3) evaluate the greenhouse gas (CO2 and CH4) emission from mangrove soils. In the first chapter, associations of the phytoecological units (PU) with soil types from Cearà were processed through geoprocessing techniques, combining the information of soil bulk density and carbon content in the soil classes contained in each PU. Results show that the carbon mass in the soils are estimated in 374,123,384.15 Mg. The mangrove contribute to 0.35 % of the carbon mass, since their area does not exceed 0.1% of the state. On the other hand, the carbon stock (CS) data indicate that mangroves store 8241.39 Mg C km-2, equivalent to 3 times the CS mean of the remaining states. This result could be even more important if the mangroves were under less human impact. The second chapter SOC contents were quantified by different chemical (variations in the Walkley & Black), spectral reflectance and thermogravimetric methods and the results were compared with those obtained using elemental analyzer (EA). Regarding chemical analysis, the use of dried samples favored the accuracy of the chemical method, since it promoted the oxidation of the reduced compounds which causes interference. The use of external heating sources resulted in a greater interference in the chemical method and, in a 6M H2SO4 concentration, the chemical method presented viable to quantify COS in mangroves. The spectral reflectance technique showed weak correlations with carbon values obtained by AE, precluding the use of this method and making necessary further studies to the suitability of this method to quantify SOC in mangroves. The results obtained by thermogravimetry showed the strongest correlation with AE (r = 0.927), characterized as the most suitable method for the quantification of SOC, since a correction factor (f = 0.27) is applied for the conversion of soil organic matter values in SOC. In the last chapter, the average CO2 and CH4 flow were quantified and the values were correlated with soil attributes. CO2 fluxes ranged from 16.4  3.7 to 44.4  2.2 mg m-2 h-1. The highest CO2 emission was determined by soil conditions (higher EC, higher concentration of dissolved organic carbon and lower degree of pyritization). The CO2 emissions in mangrove soils corresponds to only 2% of the flow caused by agriculture. The CH4 concentrations were below the detection limit of the equipment used, and thus the average flow of methane cannot be quantified. The low methane flow is related to the abundance of electron acceptors more energetic which prevent methanogenesis and to the presence of microorganisms that oxidize CH4 before it reach the atmosphere.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / This study investigates ecological process and dynamic of the hypersaline tidal flats (HTF, locally knowns as âapicumâ). The HTF systems are characterized by flat landscape and hypersaline soil conditions that may occour in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Usually HTF can be found inside mangrove forest or as a transitional system between mangrove and dry land ecosystem. These areas are highly important for advances of mangrove forest in case of sea level increase. Besides, HTF have great economic value, as prioritarian areas to install aquaculture or saline ponds. Also it represents security zones for traditional populations, as artisanal fishermen. However, the ecological process which drives the HTFs systems remain poorly knew. The studies presented in this doctoral dissertation aim to fulfill some lacks of knowledge about ecological process that could drive the HTF dynamic. The chapter 1 is a bibliographical review about this system. On chapter 2 were evaluated possibles mechanisms used by plants in order to improve their survival in such stressed environment through the study of rhizosphere soils and comparison with bulk soils. On chapter 3, through an experimental study in the field, the possible effect of two crab species bioturbation on HTFs soils and it possible effects on soil properties were evaluated. The chapter 4 registered the evaluation of ecological interactions among biotic and abiotic fractions of the system using ecological modeling tools. In this sense, a structural ecological model was designed using microrelief elevation, soil properties, two plant species biomass and the covering areas of two crab species. Based on results obtained in these studies, it was possible to conclude that HTFs have a particular ecological dynamic and have close relation with mangrove forests due the nutrients, material and animal population flux shared by them. The plant community of HTFs areas is componed mainly by pioneersâ clonal halophytes species. These species seemed to have different strategies to deal with saline stress, an important limitant factor for their growing and distribution. The seasonal effects were noteworthy mainly in bulk soils. In this sense, it is possible that plant estabilize the environment in their benefit. The crabs were able to affect biogeochemical dynamic in HTF soils. However, the burrouing effects of crab species on soil properties were different and seemed reflect the species habit. Although bioturbation effects were important, the modifications on HTF soil properties were less evident than in mangrove forests. Environmental process related to salinity and nutrients availability are among the main factors to drive crabs distribution and plant growth in HTFs. These processes were dependent of microrelief variation. A combination of abiotic factors (microrelief elevation and soil properties) and positive relations among plant species seems to guide the ecological dynamics in HTFs systems. Conservation strategies of coastal environments areas must include the HTF protection due their importance for coastal environments on climate change scenario and economic importance, but mainly because their unique ecological characteristics. / Esse estudo teve como objetivo geral investigar processos ecolÃgicos e a dinÃmica do apicum. Esses sistemas se caracterizam por serem planÃcies hipersalinas que ocorrem em zonas costeiras de regiÃes Ãridas onde podem ser identificadas dentro de bosques de mangue ou entre o manguezal e ecossistemas de terra seca, como mata seca ou restinga. Os apicuns sÃo Ãreas estratÃgicas para recuo das florestas de mangue em caso de aumento do nÃvel do mar. AlÃm disso, possuem grande importÃncia econÃmica, visto que sÃo Ãreas preferenciais para instalaÃÃo de empreendimentos de aquicultura e salinas e por que representam zonas de seguranÃa para populaÃÃes tradicionais. Entretanto, muito pouco se sabe sobre os processos ecolÃgicos que regulam a dinÃmica do sistema. Os estudos compilados nessa tese visam de algum modo suprir lacunas sobre os processos ecolÃgicos que regem a dinÃmica desse sistema. O capÃtulo 1 traz uma ampla revisÃo bibliogrÃfica sobre esse sistema. No capÃtulo 2 foram avaliados possÃveis mecanismos utilizados pelas plantas para sobreviverem ao ambiente limitante atravÃs do estudo dos solos rizosfÃricos e comparaÃÃo com solos nÃo colonizados por plantas. No capÃtulo 3, atravÃs de um estudo experimental de campo foram avaliados os efeitos da bioturbaÃÃo de duas espÃcies de caranguejos nos solos de apicum e seus possÃveis efeitos sobre as condiÃÃes edÃficas. O capÃtulo 4 aprofunda-se na avaliaÃÃo das interaÃÃes ecolÃgicas que ocorrem entre o solo, microrelevo e a biota do sistema (plantas e animais). Nesse sentido, um modelo ecolÃgico estrutural foi construÃdo utilizando variaÃÃes na elevaÃÃo do relevo, propriedades do solo, biomassa das plantas e Ãrea de cobertura de caranguejos. Com base nos resultados, concluiu-se que o sistema apicum possui dinÃmica ecolÃgica muito prÃpria e possui uma relaÃÃo com os bosques de mangue graÃas ao compartilhamento de fluxos de matÃria, nutrientes e populaÃÃes de animais. A comunidade de plantas do apicum à composta, sobretudo por espÃcies clonais halÃfitas pioneiras e que parecem possuir estratÃgias diferenciadas para lidar com o estresse salino, fator limitante do seu crescimento e distribuiÃÃo. O efeito da sazonalidade à notÃvel, sobretudo nas Ãreas nÃo colonizadas por plantas, indicando que possivelmente as plantas estabilizam o sistema solo em seu beneficio. Diferentes espÃcies de caranguejos sÃo capazes de afetar a dinÃmica biogeoquÃmica do solo. A bioturbaÃÃo do solo pelas espÃcies estudadas provocou diferentes efeitos nas propriedades do solo, os quais parecem estar intimamente ligados as hÃbitos das espÃcies. Entretanto, as seus efeitos nos apicuns, embora importantes, sÃo menos intensos que em Ãreas de manguezais. Processos ambientais ligados à salinidade do solo e à disponibilidade de nutrientes estÃo entre os principais fatores que regem a distribuiÃÃo de caranguejos e crescimento das plantas nos apicuns. Esses processos sÃo intimamente dependentes das variaÃÃes do microrelevo. Uma combinaÃÃo entre fatores abiÃticos (elevaÃÃo do relevo e propiedades do solo) e relaÃÃes positivas entre espÃcies de plantas parecem se os princiapis agentes na dinÃmica ecolÃgica dos apicuns. EstratÃgias de conservaÃÃo de sistemas costeiros devem incluir a proteÃÃo dos apicuns visto seu importante papel ecolÃgico no cenÃrio de mudanÃas climÃticas e importÃncia para economia local, sobretudo por conta suas caracterÃsticas ecolÃgicas Ãnicas.