Meeting Abstract
Salt marshes are valuable ecosystems located between coastal salt waters and shorelines, providing many services for wildlife and humans. The vegetation of salt marshes facilitates these services, therefore damage or disturbance to these plants can have negative impacts at local to global scales. This study investigated the recovery of vegetation on a Long Island, NY salt marsh over two growing seasons, after the removal of large wooden debris (mostly docks) that was deposited during storms. The impacts of the debris on salt marsh plants were tested by measuring the percent cover and shoot density of the vegetation monthly after debris removal. The consequences of removing wooden debris during the fall versus spring were also explored. Two years after the removal of the debris, regardless of when debris was removed, the salt marsh vegetation cover was not significantly different from controls. In addition, the effects of trampling by volunteers during debris removal were monitored and after one growing season, trails used during a single clean-up effort had a mean vegetation cover of 67% whereas those that were used during multiple clean-up efforts had only 30% cover. This study expands our understanding of the impacts of large anthropogenic debris on salt marsh vegetation and the potential for vegetation recovery after debris removal. Based on these findings we will present recommended strategies for organizing effective salt marsh clean-up efforts.
