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The relationship between the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) and salt marsh shoreline erosion
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Moody, Joshua Andrew. The relationship between the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) and salt marsh shoreline erosion. Retrieved from https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3TT4PW8

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TitleThe relationship between the ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) and salt marsh shoreline erosion
NameMoody, Joshua Andrew (author); Bushek, David (chair); Green, Edwin J (internal member); Lathrop, Richard (internal member); Kreeger, Danielle (outside member); Rutgers University; Graduate School - New Brunswick
Date Created2012
Other Date2012-05 (degree)
SubjectEcology and Evolution, Mytilidae, Salt marsh ecology
Extentviii, 75 p. : ill.
DescriptionMarsh erosion is a major concern for estuaries as various factors threaten shorelines. The ribbed mussel Geukensia demissa is a prominent component of the Delaware Bay estuarine ecosystem. A synergistic relationship exists between the ribbed mussel and the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora in which the deposition of nutrient rich feces from the mussels enhances S. alterniflora production, helping to create natural levees along the marsh edge. These levees and marsh vegetation trap sediments enhancing vertical accretion. From this synergistic relationship, it is hypothesized that, within certain energy regimes, salt marsh shoreline erosion decreases as mussel density increases. To test the hypothesis, mussel and plant demographics, mass transfer rates (energy), nutrient concentrations and annual lateral shoreline movement were quantified at three sites within four tributaries of the Delaware Estuary (n = 12 sites). In order to avoid spurious correlations due to the large number of potential interactions, Bayesian factorial and hierarchical modeling techniques were employed to identify potential relationships that occur between the variables within and among study sites. Results indicated that while the presence of mussels and the mass transfer rate of the adjacent water body influence the degree of erosion or accretion measured at the study sites, the river, and the location of the site within it, plays a major role in determining the degree to which these factors have an effect.
NoteM.S.
NoteIncludes bibliographical references
Noteby Joshua Andrew Moody
Genretheses, ETD graduate
Persistent URLhttps://doi.org/doi:10.7282/T3TT4PW8
Languageeng
CollectionGraduate School - New Brunswick Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Organization NameRutgers, The State University of New Jersey
RightsThe author owns the copyright to this work.
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