Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography
Open Access

Abstract

Spartina alterniflora invasion is a part of global change. The landwards and seawards invasion in coastal wetlands may lead to the reduction of the Suaeda salsa and sea grass habitat. The landscape pattern, community structure, species diversity and multifunctionality of ecosystem were changed greatly in the typical estuarine wetland-Yellow River Delta, China. There were significant differences in patches� structure and ecosystem functions from the sea to the land, and there was a significant difference of community structure, species diversity and ecosystem function between the inner and outer regions of patches. Due to density-structured effect, the community structure, species diversity and ecosystem multi-functionality represent gradient differences. The evaluation framework and index system of the impacts of Spartina alterniflora on ecosystem multi-functionality were studied, including biological and soil carbon sequestration, N mineralization, phosphorus retention index, primary productivity, decomposition, sedimentary and so on. Spartina alterniflora habitat has a significant contribution to the conservation of species diversity and ecosystem multi-functionality. It is possibly a new idea or perspective of evaluating the impact of Spartina alterniflora invasion from the perspective of ecosystem multi-functionality.

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