Mussel-Mediated Nutrient Removal in Juncus roemerianus Salt Marshes
Among the many ecosystem services saltmarshes can provide, nutrient removal is considered one of the most valuable. Black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus; hereafter Juncus) is the dominant saltmarsh plant of MS/AL, and Juncus marshes have been shown to remove significant quantities of nitrogen. Gulf ribbed mussels (Geukensia granosissima) are commonly found attached to the stems of Juncus.
Mussels are known to provide benefits to the marshes in terms of reducing erosion and enhanced nutrient removal in Spartina alterniflora marshes. However, the mussels’ impacts on Juncus marshes, specifically the potential enhancement of nutrient removal capacity from coastal wetlands through a mutualistic relationship with Juncus, has not been studied.
About the project
A controlled microcosm study is being conducted to determine if the presence of Gulf ribbed mussels enhances nutrient removal from restored marshes dominated by Juncus. Treatments with Juncus+mussels+sediment are expected to remove more nitrogen from each marsh microcosm than Juncus+sediment, mussels+sediment, or sediment only treatments. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) from porewater samples will be used to measure the nitrogen removal. A better understanding of the relationship between the two marsh species and how the presence of Gulf ribbed mussels can bolster the ecosystem services of Juncus-dominated marshes would ultimately inform researchers and natural resource managers, as well as guide long-term monitoring, restoration, and conservation efforts of wetlands.
