Spartina Salt Marshes in Southern England: III. Rates of Establishment, Succession and Nutrient Supply at Bridgwater Bay, Somerset

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Abstract
Air and ground survey showed that the Bridgwater Bay Spartina marsh is still advancing slowly along its seaward edge. Rate of marsh formation must have occurred more rapidly in the past to produce the present width since Spartina was first introduced in 1929. Succession from Spartina to Scirpus/Phragmites marsh began when the marsh was about 22 years old. Within the past 12 years about 50% of the Spartina has been replaced along the 1.6 km. landward edge of the marsh. Marsh formation and succession occur at about the same rate at present, but build-up of new levels suitable for colonization by invading species occurs more rapidly than they can be utilized. Successional mechanisms are discussed. The nutrient status of newly accreted mud is high and the rate of accretion exceptionally high; the rate of supply of essential nutrients from this source is therefore unlikely to exert any limitation on plant growth.