Recovery From Small‐Scale Anthropogenic Disturbances by Northern California Salt Marsh Plant Assemblages

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Abstract
A series of experimental disturbances by sediment deposition were conducted in the salt marsh at Bolinas Lagoon to examine the ability of marsh plants to recover from small‐scale anthropogenic disturbances. Results from these experiments demonstrated that species differ in their ability to recover, with Distichlis spicata and Salicornia virginica recovering most quickly from disturbances that occurred at any time of the year. Other species, such as Frankenia grandifolia and Jaumea carnosa, only recovered from disturbances that occurred early in the growing season. Recovery was by vegetative ingrowth of plants surrounding a disturbed patch or by growth of buried plants up through the sediment. Seedling establishment was rare and did not significantly influence recovery. Anthropogenic disturbances such as excessive sedimentation may cause lasting changes by eliminating or reducing the cover of species sensitive to sediment deposition, and by changing the substrate so that recruitment from seeds is limited.

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