Influence of Grasshopper Herbivory on Nitrogen Cycling in Northern Gulf of Mexico Black Needlerush Salt Marshes |
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| Authors: | Diana I Montemayor Eric L Sparks Oscar O Iribarne Just Cebrian |
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| Institution: | 1.Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), CONICET, UNMDP,Mar del Plata,Argentina;2.Mar del Plata,Argentina;3.Coastal Research and Extension Center,Mississippi State University,Biloxi,USA;4.Mississippi–Alabama Sea Grant Consortium,Ocean Springs,USA;5.Dauphin Island Sea Lab,Dauphin Island,USA;6.Department of Marine Sciences,University of South Alabama,Mobile,USA |
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| Abstract: | Herbivory is a common process in salt marshes. However, the direct impact of marsh herbivory on nutrient cycling in this ecosystem is poorly understood. Using a 15N enrichment mesocosm study, we quantified nitrogen (N) cycling in sediment and plants of black needlerush (Juncus roemerianus) salt marshes, facilitated by litter decomposition and litter plus grasshopper feces decomposition. We found 15 times more 15N recovery in sediment with grasshopper herbivory compared to sediment with no grasshopper herbivory. In plants, even though we found three times and a half larger 15N recovery with grasshopper herbivory, we did not find significant differences. Thus, herbivory can enhance N cycling in black needlerush salt marshes sediments and elevate the role of these salt marshes as nutrient sinks. |
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