Shrub encroachment of coastal ecosystems depends on dune elevation

Woody plant encroachment is influenced by interactions between the physical environment and vegetation, which create heterogenous microenvironments some of which favor shrub recruitment through mitigation of the abiotic environment. Encroachment of native shrub, Morella cerifera into grasslands on Hog Island, Virginia has been attributed to warmer winter temperature; however, recruitment of seedlings in grasslands may be impacted by multiple factors at the level of the microhabitat. Our study focuses on a critical gap in understanding factors specifically influencing M. cerifera seedling recruitment and survival. By experimentally planting M. cerifera seedlings at varying dune elevations and grass densities, we tested hypotheses that dune elevation influences the microclimate, soil characteristics and vegetation cover and that grass cover/density is related to shrub establishment. We tested these hypotheses through gathering data from temperature data loggers, conducting soil water content and chloride analyses, and determining percent cover of grasses relative to dune elevation. Results indicate that dune elevation was positively related to moderated temperatures with reduced temperature extremes and vegetation cover/composition that led to favorable locations for M. cerifera establishment and growth. Where dune elevation is > 2 m, we document an upper limit of grass cover on natural seedling establishment, suggesting a switch from facilitative to competitive effects with grass density. Overall, our work demonstrates interactions between dune elevation and medium grass density has a facilitative influence on M. cerifera establishment and can be used for future predictions of shrub growth with rising sea-levels.