Within-marsh and Landscape Features Structure Ribbed Mussel Distribution in Georgia, USA, Marshes
| dc.contributor.author | Annis, William K. | en |
| dc.contributor.author | Hunter, Elizabeth A. | en |
| dc.contributor.author | Carroll, John M. | en |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2023-06-13T15:12:32Z | en |
| dc.date.available | 2023-06-13T15:12:32Z | en |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-12 | en |
| dc.description.abstract | Ribbed mussels, Geukensia demissa, are marsh fauna that are used in coastal management and restoration due to the ecosystem services they provide. Ribbed mussel restoration efforts may be improved with a greater understanding of the environmental drivers of ribbed mussel distribution at multiple spatial scales to predict areas where restoration could be successful. This study sought to estimate the effects of within-marsh (4 m) and landscape (500 m) factors on ribbed mussel distribution. Ribbed mussel densities were surveyed at 11 sites along the coast of Georgia, USA, and overlaid with spatial data for within-marsh factors (elevation, distance to marsh features, slope) as well as landscape factors (percent cover by subtidal creek, forest, and development within a 500-m radius). The distribution model was then validated using three previously unsurveyed marshes and explained 55% of the variance in ribbed mussel abundance. Ribbed mussel abundances and occupancy were most sensitive to changes in within-marsh factors (elevation and distance to subtidal creeks, bodies of water inundated during the full tidal cycle) but were also sensitive to landscape features (percent landcover of forests and development). The highest ribbed mussel densities were found in mid-elevation areas (similar to 0.7 m NAVD88), far from subtidal creeks, and in marshes surrounded with forest and development. These results contrast with distributions in the northeastern USA, where ribbed mussels are distributed along subtidal creek banks. This work suggests that restoration may be most effective when focused on appropriate elevations and at locations away from the marsh-creek ecotone. | en |
| dc.description.admin | Public domain – authored by a U.S. government employee | en |
| dc.description.notes | We would like to thank Raven Hurt, Sarah Batchelor, Jada Daniels, and numerous undergraduates for help in the field and lab. We would also like to acknowledge Jan Mackinnon at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Dr. Rachel Guy at the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, and Stephanie Knox at the Cannon's Point Preserve for feedback on this research project, field site access, and logistical support. We would like to thank Dr. Risa Cohen, Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, for input on the study design. We thank Dr. Sinead Crotty and three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the manuscript. This publication was supported by an Institutional Grant (NA180AR4170084) to the Georgia Sea Grant College Program from the National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Additional funding was provided by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Southern University's Graduate Student Organization. | en |
| dc.description.sponsorship | National Sea Grant Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce [NA180AR4170084]; Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Southern University's Graduate Student Organization | en |
| dc.description.version | Published version | en |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | en |
| dc.identifier.doi | https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-022-01090-w | en |
| dc.identifier.eissn | 1559-2731 | en |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1559-2723 | en |
| dc.identifier.issue | 8 | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/115417 | en |
| dc.identifier.volume | 45 | en |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.publisher | Springer | en |
| dc.rights | Public Domain (U.S.) | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/ | en |
| dc.subject | Species distribution model | en |
| dc.subject | Spatial scale | en |
| dc.subject | Intertidal | en |
| dc.subject | Salt marsh | en |
| dc.title | Within-marsh and Landscape Features Structure Ribbed Mussel Distribution in Georgia, USA, Marshes | en |
| dc.title.serial | Estuaries and Coasts | en |
| dc.type | Article - Refereed | en |
| dc.type.dcmitype | Text | en |
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