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Indirect human impacts turn off reciprocal feedbacks and decrease ecosystem resilience.

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This summary is machine-generated.

Salt marsh recovery is hindered by the loss of foundation species like Spartina, which impacts crucial facilitator populations. Restoring these facilitators, such as the ribbed mussel, can accelerate marsh ecosystem resilience and recovery.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Conservation Biology
  • Marine Biology

Background:

  • Creek bank salt marsh die-off is a significant conservation issue in New England.
  • Herbivore populations, unchecked by predators, can damage salt marshes.
  • The recovery of some marshes suggests complex underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that Spartina alterniflora loss weakens positive plant/animal feedbacks, reducing marsh resilience and recovery.
  • To understand the role of facilitator populations, specifically the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa), in Spartina marsh dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted field surveys and experiments to assess the impact of Spartina loss on biodiversity and Geukensia demissa populations.
  • Performed experimental additions of Geukensia demissa to creek banks to evaluate its effect on Spartina recovery.

Main Results:

  • Spartina loss was correlated with decreased biodiversity and negative impacts on Geukensia demissa (increased mortality, reduced growth).
  • Experimental addition of Geukensia demissa significantly accelerated Spartina recovery on creek banks.

Conclusions:

  • The loss of foundation species like Spartina negatively affects key facilitators, impairing ecosystem resilience and recovery.
  • Re-establishing facilitator populations, such as Geukensia demissa, is a promising restoration strategy for degraded salt marshes.
  • Reciprocal positive feedbacks involving foundation species are critical for ecosystem resilience but are often overlooked in restoration efforts.