INVESTIGADORES
BOTTE Sandra Elizabeth
artículos
Título:
Ecological processes and biogeochemical cycling in salt marshes: synthesis of studies in the Bahía Blanca estuary (Argentina)
Autor/es:
NEGRIN, V.; BOTTÉ, S.E.; PRATOLONGO, P.; GONZALEZ TRILLA, G.; MARCOVECCHIO, J.E.
Revista:
HYDROBIOLOGIA
Editorial:
SPRINGER
Referencias:
Lugar: Berlin; Año: 2016 vol. 774 p. 217 - 235
ISSN:
0018-8158
Resumen:
Here we offer an integrative review ofbiogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus,and several metals in salt marshes of the Bahı´aBlanca Estuary, located in South America, which is aregion underrepresented in the literature. The dominantspecies, Spartina alterniflora and Sarcocorniaperennis, have low net aboveground primary productivitybut play substantial and contrasting roles in thebiogeochemical cycling of elements. S. perennis wasmore efficient at metal sequestration, whereas S.alterniflora was important in the immobilization ofphosphorus. Because of the differences in net abovegroundprimary productivity between high and lowmarsh, plant position should be considered to evaluatethe role of S. alterniflora on biogeochemical cycles.Some elements were also in high concentrations inbelowground tissues but, based on our data, we couldnot accurately estimate net belowground primaryproductivity, a key process to evaluate elementalcycling in salt marshes. In spite of uncertainties in theestimations, the slower decomposition rates in S.alterniflora would be indicative of a higher contributionto the long-term storage of nutrients and metalswithin the marsh. Regardless shortcomings, our workrepresents a valuable tool for comparisons with saltmarshes worldwide.