Decomposition, porewater, plant and animal collection, and soil temperature data in Airport Marsh, Sapelo Island, 7/2019-7/2020

Environmental gradients can affect organic matter decay within and across wetlands and contribute to spatial heterogeneity in soil carbon stocks. We tested the sensitivity of decay rates to tidal flooding and soil depth in a minerogenic salt marsh using the tea bag index (TBI). Tea bags were buried at 10- and 50- cm along transects sited at lower, middle, and higher elevations that paralleled a headward eroding tidal creek. Plant and animal communities and soil properties were characterized once while replicate tea bags and porewaters were collected 3 and 4 times respectively over one year.