Miller, W.D., S.C. Neubauer, and I.C. Anderson. 2001. Effects of sea level induced disturbances on high salt marsh metabolism. Estuaries 24:357-367. Abstract=The rate of sea-level rise is predicted to increase as a result of global warming. As sea level rises there will also be an increase in frequency and duration of disturbances associated with higher sea level. Salt marshes, which provide a transition between the aquatic and terrestrial environments around much of the temperate world, will be the first to feel the effects of an increased rate of sea-level rise. This study examines the metabolic response of a high salt marsh to the disturbances of increased inundation and wrack deposition that are associated with sea-level rise. We measured changes in community and sediment photosynthesis and respiration by analyzing carbon dioxide fluxes in the light and dark. Data from the seasonal flux measurements were combined with continuously measured light and temperature data to develop a model that estimated annual production and respiration. Results suggest that increased inundation will reduce both production and respiration and yield a moderate net loss of organic carbon to the high marsh. The model also predicts a substantial loss of organic carbon to wrack affected areas. The consequence of decreased organic carbon input to the marsh is a reduced ability to accrete material, which is necessary in order to maintain elevation relative to sea level. End_abstract Notes= submitted by iris@vims.edu, Thu Aug 2 17:10:35 EDT 2001 End_notes