Environmental stress and resource availability affect the maintenance of genetic variation in a dominant marsh plant (Spartina alterniflora)

Changes in genetic variation, and particularly documented declines in genetic diversity, influence not only evolutionary potential but also current ecological function. Given this context, it is essential to understand what abiotic and biotic factors promote or disrupt the maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations. To address this knowledge gap in the context of salt marsh plants, we established a 3-year field experiment testing the independent and interactive effects of nutrient availability and physical stress on the maintenance of plant (Spartina alterniflora) genotypic diversity. We found that in environments with high physical stress (i.e., low marsh elevations), diversity declined over time. However, the addition of nutrients promoted the maintenance of Spartina genotypic diversity across the physical stress gradient. We also observed changes in genotypic composition and genetic divergence across environmental stress treatments, indicating variation among Spartina ge..., Description of methods and data collection for field experiment and genetic data processing and analysis in Zerebecki & Hughes Molecular Ecology  , , # Environmental stress and resource availability affect the maintenance of genetic variation in a dominant marsh plant (Spartina alterniflora)

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.msbcc2g78](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.msbcc2g78)

## Description of the data and file structure

Title: Environmental stress and resource availability affect the maintenance of genetic variation in a dominant marsh plant (Spartina alterniflora)

**Data Points of Contact**: Robyn A. Zerebecki1,2* and A. Randall Hughes1

1. Marine Science Center and Coastal Sustainability Institute, Northeastern University, Nahant, MA, USA
2. Department of Biology, University of Louisiana – Lafayette, 410 E. St. Mary Blvd, Lafayette, LA 70503

Corresponding Email addresses: [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail])  

Date of Data Collection: 2013-2016

Geographic Location of Data Collection: Field experiment conducted in Florida, USA.

**Methodological Information**: Description of methods and data col...