Microtopographic structures facilitate plant recruitment across a saltmarsh tidal gradient

Abstract

Abstract It is well known that establishment limitation is stronger than seed limitation in aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, it seems crucial during the recruitment recovery process to overcome this establishment limitation on bare or degraded patches. Microtopographic structures have been shown to act as trap agents in saltmarshes. They can facilitate establishment, but this effect has not been quantitatively examined and assessed. This study examined the facilitative effect of microtopographic structures on plant recruitment in a dynamic saltmarsh system by conducting a series of field experiments along a saltmarsh tidal gradient. A simple plant life‐cycle model was used to evaluate the dynamics of the plant recruitment process facilitated by microtopographic structure and the importance of each life stage. The influence of abiotic factors on each life stage was also assessed, to identify the determinants during the life history. It was revealed that seed retention was the limiting factor in a bare saltmarsh area, rather than seed dispersal. Microtopographic structures can provide trap agents to facilitate seed anchorage. During seed retention, the stability of the microtopographic structure, especially its relative surface elevation difference, can be influenced by tidal events and the associated sediment process, which then affects seed retention efficiency. Microtopographic structure has a strong environmental filtering effect that can revise the potential dispersed seed and emergence patterns, and the determinant of the final establishment pattern along a tidal gradient is the retention pattern resulting from the interactions between microtopographic structures and tidal events. Furthermore, it can be designed into the early stage of recovery or restoration process so that it facilitates pioneer plant establishment. These early recruitment patches will speed up the recovery or succession process by (1) providing local seed sources, (2) retaining more seeds via the established vegetative structures, and (3) modifying microhabitat factors.