Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) is a marsh grass native to the Atlantic coast. According to the Nature Conservancy, it is the most common tidal wetland plant; providing habitat to many crabs, young fish, birds, and small mammals. Smooth cordgrass is a saltwater loving plant found along the shorelines of the ocean, bays, salt marshes, rivers and tidal flats[1].
Smooth cordgrass has salt glands which extract salt and excrete it onto its leaves. Although smooth cordgrass is a saltwater loving plant, that doesn’t mean that it can handle rising sea levels, as it cannot be fully submerged. Smooth cordgrass remains at saltmarsh elevations that are right around sea-level. A study by the Northeast Climate Science Center has shown that with a warmer climate, this may lower the ability of saltmarsh species such as smooth cordgrass to be resistant and survive sea level rise. Another study was done looking at smooth cordgrass and its response to sea level rise. It was concluded that plants that were flooded had less biomass underground than those in lower levels on ground saturation. The roots and shoots of the plants were thin and fine which would ultimately lead to the marsh being less sustainable[2].
Smooth cordgrass is also home to many different species of animals such as birds. The saltmarsh sparrow readily uses the protection of smooth cordgrass to nest and nurse their young. The loss of this vegetation is detrimental to the breeding success of the saltmarsh sparrow.
Smooth cordgrass has salt glands which extract salt and excrete it onto its leaves. Although smooth cordgrass is a saltwater loving plant, that doesn’t mean that it can handle rising sea levels, as it cannot be fully submerged. Smooth cordgrass remains at saltmarsh elevations that are right around sea-level. A study by the Northeast Climate Science Center has shown that with a warmer climate, this may lower the ability of saltmarsh species such as smooth cordgrass to be resistant and survive sea level rise. Another study was done looking at smooth cordgrass and its response to sea level rise. It was concluded that plants that were flooded had less biomass underground than those in lower levels on ground saturation. The roots and shoots of the plants were thin and fine which would ultimately lead to the marsh being less sustainable[2].
Smooth cordgrass is also home to many different species of animals such as birds. The saltmarsh sparrow readily uses the protection of smooth cordgrass to nest and nurse their young. The loss of this vegetation is detrimental to the breeding success of the saltmarsh sparrow.
This species of coastal plant is essential in diffusing wave action to aid in preventing erosion.
Animal species that call smooth cordgrass home:
Other common tidal wetland plants affected by climate change:
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Pickerelweed
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Cattail
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Giant Cordgrass
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Found in freshwater and slightly brackish marshes. They are generally in lower portions of the marsh bordering tributaries and rivers. Because of their location, these plants are subject to irregular and regular diurnal flooding[3]. |
Generally found in slightly brackish to brackish marshes bordering tidal rivers such as the Wicomico river and the Nanticoke river[3]. |
These plants are found bordering the brackish marshes, rivers and tributaries in Wicomico county. Often occurs in linear stands along tidal rivers and creeks. It is known to be in low and high marsh areas but is more commonly found in the high marsh zones where flooding is irregular[3]. |
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References
1. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/spartina-alterniflora/
2. Hanson, A., Johnson, R., Wigand, C., Davey, E., & Markham, E. (2016, April 01). Responses of Spartina alterniflora to Multiple Stressors: Changing Precipitation Patterns, Accelerated Sea Level Rise, and Nutrient Enrichment. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12237-016-0090-4
3. Wildlife & Heritage Service Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/default.aspx
Header Photo: Chesapeake Bay Program, flickr.com
1. Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/plant-directory/spartina-alterniflora/
2. Hanson, A., Johnson, R., Wigand, C., Davey, E., & Markham, E. (2016, April 01). Responses of Spartina alterniflora to Multiple Stressors: Changing Precipitation Patterns, Accelerated Sea Level Rise, and Nutrient Enrichment. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12237-016-0090-4
3. Wildlife & Heritage Service Home. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/default.aspx
Header Photo: Chesapeake Bay Program, flickr.com