University Events

Description: Department of Estuarine and Ocean Sciences

MS Thesis Defense

"A Post-Enrichment Assessment of Belowground Carbon and Organic Matter and the Potential for Increased Accumulation in a Fertilized Coastal Salt Marsh"

By: Wendy Copps
Co-Advisors: Miles Sundermeyer and David White
Committee Member: David Schlezinger

Tuesday December 3rd, 2024
11am

SMAST West 108
706 S. Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford
and via Zoom

Abstract:

Great Sippewissett Marsh in Falmouth, MA is the site of a 50-year nutrient-enrichment experiment. Experimental plots were established and fertilized with four different nutrient regimes (low, high, extra high, and no fertilization), in order to evaluate the marsh response. As a follow-up to this enrichment study, the present study was conducted to measure the amount of belowground carbon and organic matter within the experimental plots at the conclusion of the enrichment period. The goal of this study is to assess whether fertilization of the marsh facilitated increased carbon and/or organic matter accumulation in the sediments and to identify any potential relationship between the amount of fertilizer applied and the amount of carbon or organic matter stored in the sediments. The increase in the marsh surface platform is vital to maintaining the functions of the marsh as sea level rises. In a sediment-starved system such as Great Sippewissett, belowground accumulation of organic matter plays a dominant role in elevating the marsh surface platform. However, the results of this study show that higher nutrient loading does not generate more carbon or organic matter within the marsh sediments and, thus, nutrient loading is unlikely to promote elevation of the marsh surface through increased production and storage of carbon and organic matter in the sediments.

Join the Zoom
Note: Meeting passcode required, email contact below to receive

To request the Zoom passcode, or for any other questions, please email Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu