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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Louisiana State University

Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology

2013

Biogeochemistry

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Incorporating Science-Based Approaches Into The Rapid Assessment Of Wetlands And Streams : Validation, Restoration Trajectory, And Method Development, Jacob Franklin Berkowitz Jan 2013

Incorporating Science-Based Approaches Into The Rapid Assessment Of Wetlands And Streams : Validation, Restoration Trajectory, And Method Development, Jacob Franklin Berkowitz

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Human alterations within wetlands and streams have resulted in a decrease in ecological functions and associated benefits to society. The scientific literature highlights the functional benefits provided by ecosystems including flood protection, nutrient cycling, and habitat maintenance. Additionally, legislation and regulatory policy require mitigation and restoration as compensation for declines in ecological functions. As a result, the need for practical, repeatable, and technically sound ecosystem assessment methods remains essential to natural resource management. However, few studies determine the validity of rapid assessment approaches by applying quantitative parameters, especially with respect to biogeochemical functions. We assessed biogeochemical functions applied to restored …


Oligohaline Wetland Response And Recovery Following Storm-Driven Saltwater Intrusion In Coastal Louisiana, Whitney Marie Kiehn Jan 2013

Oligohaline Wetland Response And Recovery Following Storm-Driven Saltwater Intrusion In Coastal Louisiana, Whitney Marie Kiehn

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Coastal ecosystems occupy an interface between land and ocean, making them vulnerable to a variety of natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Large, episodic disturbances (mega-disturbances) cause immediate and long-lasting changes to coastal wetland plant communities and soils by changing the environmental conditions in which they exist. Here I examined the impacts of storm-induced saltwater intrusion and post-intrusion conditions on the structure and growth of an oligohaline wetland plant community, and on wetland soil biogeochemistry and conditions during and after saltwater intrusion. In the greenhouse, a six-week saltwater intrusion reduced canopy cover and species richness. Once intrusion stress was alleviated, plant community …