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<p>The configuration of habitats within a landscape can influence how species move across habitat boundaries and subsequently alter species interactions within a landscape. Although most studies have focused on how habitat fragmentation directly affects species diversity and predator–prey interactions, the alteration of the habitat edge morphology may also influence how species move across these boundaries. In this study, we investigated the role of salt marsh edge geomorphology in mediating consumption rates of mud crabs (<i>Panopeus obesus</i>) and mud crab burrow&#xa0;density across the tidal creek-salt marsh boundary. We conducted consumption assays with tethered mud crabs at three distinct edge morphologies: (1) naturally sloping banks (slopes), (2) slump blocks (slumps), and (3) highly eroded vertical escarpments (scarps). We then quantified mud crab&#xa0;burrow densities on the marsh platform at each edge type. We found that consumption at slumps was ~ 15% lower than at either slopes or scarps. We also determined that mud crab burrow densities were 2 × higher at slumps than slopes or scarps. Combined, these results suggest that small-scale differences in edge morphology can affect the survival and abundance of key prey species along the marsh-tidal creek boundary. Continued sea level rise and higher frequency of intense storm events should increase the occurrence of eroding slump blocks, potentially causing shifts in trophic interactions and subsequent energy flow to estuarine species that rely on these spatially coupled food webs.</p>

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Influence of Salt Marsh Edge Morphology on Cross-Boundary Consumption and Prey Density

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年3月3日

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  • Grace Gibbs,
  • Emlyn J. Resetarits,
  • Shelby L. Ziegler

摘要

The configuration of habitats within a landscape can influence how species move across habitat boundaries and subsequently alter species interactions within a landscape. Although most studies have focused on how habitat fragmentation directly affects species diversity and predator–prey interactions, the alteration of the habitat edge morphology may also influence how species move across these boundaries. In this study, we investigated the role of salt marsh edge geomorphology in mediating consumption rates of mud crabs (Panopeus obesus) and mud crab burrow density across the tidal creek-salt marsh boundary. We conducted consumption assays with tethered mud crabs at three distinct edge morphologies: (1) naturally sloping banks (slopes), (2) slump blocks (slumps), and (3) highly eroded vertical escarpments (scarps). We then quantified mud crab burrow densities on the marsh platform at each edge type. We found that consumption at slumps was ~ 15% lower than at either slopes or scarps. We also determined that mud crab burrow densities were 2 × higher at slumps than slopes or scarps. Combined, these results suggest that small-scale differences in edge morphology can affect the survival and abundance of key prey species along the marsh-tidal creek boundary. Continued sea level rise and higher frequency of intense storm events should increase the occurrence of eroding slump blocks, potentially causing shifts in trophic interactions and subsequent energy flow to estuarine species that rely on these spatially coupled food webs.