Cascading ecological effects of low-level phosphorus enrichment in the Florida Everglades
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Abstract
Few studies have examined long-term ecological effects of sustained low-level nutrient enhancement on wetland biota. To determine sustained effects of phosphorus (P) addition on Everglades marshes we added P at low levels (5, 15, and 30 μg L−1 above ambient) for 5 yr to triplicate 100-m flow-through channels in pristine marsh. A cascade of ecological responses occurred in similar sequence among treatments. Although the rate of change increased with dosing level, treatments converged to similar enriched endpoints, characterized most notably by a doubling of plant biomass and elimination of native, calcareous periphyton mats. The full sequence of biological changes occurred without an increase in water total P concentration, which remained near ambient levels until Year 5. This study indicates that Everglades marshes have a near-zero assimilative capacity for P without a state change, that ecosystem responses to enrichment accumulate over time, and that downstream P transport mainly occurs through biota rather than the water column.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Cascading ecological effects of low-level phosphorus enrichment in the Florida Everglades |
| Series title | Journal of Environmental Quality |
| DOI | 10.2134/jeq2005.0717 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2005 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | ACSESS |
| Contributing office(s) | Florence Bascom Geoscience Center |
| Description | 7 p. |
| First page | 717 |
| Last page | 723 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| Other Geospatial | Everglades National Park |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |