Salt marshes are critical intertidal coastal ecosystems characterized by the presence of salt-tolerant grasslands on periodically flooded sedimentary platforms. Being widely developed worldwide along temperate coastlines, salt marshes provide a wide range of ecological functions and ecosystem services, though they are in rapid and global decline. Thus, salt-marsh conservation and restoration has been recognized as a fundamental action in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is becoming clear that the accumulation of organic matter in salt-marsh soils may play an important part in maintaining marsh surface elevation and blue carbon sequestration and storage potential, raising interest toward organic dynamics in salt-marsh landscapes. To improve the current understanding of organic matter influencing coastal wetland resilience and carbon sink potential, the present work investigates Soil Organic Matter and Carbon dynamics in the microtidal salt marshes of the Venice Lagoon and explores the effects of natural and anthropogenic forcing. A multidisciplinary approach has been used, combining geomorphological, ecological, and sedimentological evaluations through field observations, field experiments, laboratory analyses, and statistical investigations. Decomposition processes affecting organic matter preservation were analysed through the Tea Bag Index protocol. Spatial and vertical patterns of soil organic matter were investigated combining analyses on sediment features, geomorphological setting, and vegetation characteristics. Lastly, carbon sequestration and storage potential of Venice Lagoon salt marshes were assessed. This work may provide important information for management and conservation strategies for optimizing wetland protection and restoration efforts.
Le barene sono ecosistemi costieri intertidali, ambienti sedimentari colonizzati da vegetazione erbacea periodicamente sommersa dalla marea. Diffuse lungo le coste temperate, le barene forniscono importanti funzioni ecologiche e servizi ecosistemici. Tuttavia, sono soggette ad un rapido e globale declino, e la loro conservazione ha un ruolo importante nelle strategie di mitigazione ed adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici. Vi è un crescente interesse nei confronti dell’accumulo di materia organica nei suoli di barena alla luce del suo ruolo nel favorirne l’accrescimento e la capacità di sequestrare e stoccare carbonio. Con lo scopo di implementare la comprensione dei processi organici capaci di influenzare la resilienza delle barene ed il loro ruolo nel ciclo del carbonio, il presente lavoro indaga le dinamiche della materia organica e del carbonio nei suoli di barena della Laguna di Venezia e ne esplora le forzanti naturali ed antropiche, attraverso un approccio multidisciplinare che ha integrato valutazioni sedimentologiche ed ecologiche, indagini in campo, attività di laboratorio ed analisi statistiche. I processi di decomposizione che influenzano la permanenza della materia organica nel suolo sono stati analizzati per mezzo di un protocollo sperimentale standardizzato, mentre la distribuzione della materia organica nel suolo, in senso orizzontale e verticale, è stata studiata esaminando le proprietà dei sedimenti, il contesto geomorfologico e la vegetazione. Infine è stato valutato il potenziale sequestro e stoccaggio di carbonio da parte delle barene della Laguna di Venezia. I risultati di questo lavoro forniscono informazioni importanti per ottimizzare gli sforzi di protezione e ripristino delle aree umide nell’ambito delle strategie di gestione costiera.
Soil organic matter and carbon dynamics in Venice Lagoon salt marshes under natural and anthropogenic forcing / Puppin, Alice. - (2023 Feb 16).
Soil organic matter and carbon dynamics in Venice Lagoon salt marshes under natural and anthropogenic forcing
PUPPIN, ALICE
2023
Abstract
Salt marshes are critical intertidal coastal ecosystems characterized by the presence of salt-tolerant grasslands on periodically flooded sedimentary platforms. Being widely developed worldwide along temperate coastlines, salt marshes provide a wide range of ecological functions and ecosystem services, though they are in rapid and global decline. Thus, salt-marsh conservation and restoration has been recognized as a fundamental action in climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. It is becoming clear that the accumulation of organic matter in salt-marsh soils may play an important part in maintaining marsh surface elevation and blue carbon sequestration and storage potential, raising interest toward organic dynamics in salt-marsh landscapes. To improve the current understanding of organic matter influencing coastal wetland resilience and carbon sink potential, the present work investigates Soil Organic Matter and Carbon dynamics in the microtidal salt marshes of the Venice Lagoon and explores the effects of natural and anthropogenic forcing. A multidisciplinary approach has been used, combining geomorphological, ecological, and sedimentological evaluations through field observations, field experiments, laboratory analyses, and statistical investigations. Decomposition processes affecting organic matter preservation were analysed through the Tea Bag Index protocol. Spatial and vertical patterns of soil organic matter were investigated combining analyses on sediment features, geomorphological setting, and vegetation characteristics. Lastly, carbon sequestration and storage potential of Venice Lagoon salt marshes were assessed. This work may provide important information for management and conservation strategies for optimizing wetland protection and restoration efforts.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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