Isotopes and Genes: Assessing Impact of Coastal Wetland Restoration on Carbon Storage
Impact of Artificial Restoration on Carbon Storage in Quanzhou Bay Estuary Wetland Natural Reserve
Coastal Wetlands and Global Climate Change
Coastal wetlands are characterized by high production and play a vital role in global climate change. The invasion of Spartina alterniflora in southeastern China has led to problems in these wetlands. Restoration efforts focused on replacing Spartina alterniflora with mangrove plants to address these challenges. This shift in plant species composition could potentially impact the carbon storage dynamics in these regions.
Research Methodology and Major Results
- The study utilized stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and molecular analysis to assess the impact of artificial restoration on the carbon storage of Quanzhou Bay Estuary Wetland Natural Reserve.
- A change in dominant plants resulted in a shift in the major source of soil organic matter, transitioning from external sources to mangrove plants.
- The removal of Spartina alterniflora led to a decrease in soil organic matter primarily due to the loss of external organic matter. However, the introduction of mangrove plants offset this loss and improved the content and stability of carbon storage over the long term.
- Microbial CO2 assimilation emerged as an alternative source of bioavailable carbon, supporting the activity of the benthic community.
- The study highlighted the long-term benefits of restoration efforts on the carbon storage function of wetlands previously invaded by Spartina alterniflora.
- The integration of isotopic tracers and molecular techniques offered new insights into understanding how human activities affect carbon storage in coastal areas.
Conclusion
The study revealed that the shift from Spartina alterniflora to mangrove plants decreased carbon storage content in the short term, mainly due to the loss of external organic matter. However, over time, mangrove plants enhanced both the content and stability of carbon storage in the study area, highlighting the restoration benefits for impaired wetlands. Additionally, microbial CO2 assimilation played a crucial role in supporting the benthic community by providing an alternative source of bioavailable carbon.
This study underscored the effectiveness of using isotopic tracers and molecular analysis to understand how coastal carbon storage responds to human activities, offering valuable insights for the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands in the future.
