Spatio-temporal dynamics of insect communities in constructed and natural tidal marshes with distinct landscape positions

Recovery of species richness, community composition, and biogeochemistry in restored wetlands often fails to reach levels of reference wetlands. While the effects of restoration on plant and non-insect macroinvertebrate communities are relatively well-studied, much less is known about the impacts of restoration on insect communities in wetlands. The aim of this research was to determine if previously observed differences in biological structure between one reference and two constructed J. roemerianus-dominated tidal marshes extend to their insect communities. Sampling methods included pan trapping, line-transect netting, floral observations, floral clippings, and light trapping. All insect taxa and functional groups were identified to the lowest taxonomic level possible monthly from April – October 2021 and analyzed for taxa richness, abundance, and H′ diversity. Floral density and herbivory scars on J. roemerianus shoots were also measured during flowering and peak growing season, resp..., Study Site Description
 The study sites included one reference (i.e., natural) tidal marsh (NAT, -88.160’ N, 30.368’ W) and two 34-year-old, constructed tidal marshes (CON-1, -88.152’N, 30.368’W, and CON-2, -88.151’ N, 30.367’ W) located near the mouth of the West Fowl River in Mobile County, AL, U.S.A . All three marshes are located within 1 km of each other, with NAT directly connected to West Fowl River and CON-1 and CON-2 hydrologically connected to NAT via a canal created at the time of marsh construction. All three sites experience diurnal microtides of approximately 0.26 m. The two constructed marshes were built in 1987 as a mitigation site through the harvesting and excavation of pine savannah in long, parallel strips that lowered the elevation to near sea level. After the initial excavation of the sites, canals were created though the center of each marsh to connect them to the main canal, which links to a tidal creek originating in the natural marsh. The canals and tidal creek..., All data files are usavle in excel., | | | | | | | |
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