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Thesis
Co-regulation of carbon dynamics by shorebird and burrowing crab zoogeochemical effects in a tidal flat
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
02 Jun 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011418
Abstract
Animals have a realized effect on nutrient flux, a phenomenon termed 'zoogeochemistry'. This young field of ecology has been relatively well-documented, but few studies have addressed the interactive zoogeochemical effects between predator and prey. This study aims to address this research gap, experimentally assessing the in situ individual and combined zoogeochemical effects of shorebirds and burrowing crabs on the carbon pools and flux in a tidal mudflat in Barnegat Bay. The results support the idea that shorebirds and burrowing crabs have both individual and interactive effects on carbon storage, with shorebirds improving sediment organic matter stocks and burrowing crabs reducing shorebird-mediated CO₂ efflux. Although we cannot definitively define the interactive mechanism as the predator-prey relationship, this study highlights the need to consider full animal assemblages when working to conserve salt marshes and other blue carbon ecosystems (BCEs).
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Details
- Title
- Co-regulation of carbon dynamics by shorebird and burrowing crab zoogeochemical effects in a tidal flat
- Creators
- Aviva Lerman
- Contributors
- Shelby A. Rinehart (Advisor)David J. Velinsky (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- 36 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022189169104721