Invasive Spartina alterniflora changes the Yangtze Estuary salt marsh from CH₄ sink to source

Expansion of Spartina alterniflora salt marshes in the East China Sea coast is changing the ecosystem and thus, uncertainty has hampered methane (CH₄) flux accounts in these areas. To analyse seasonal and diurnal patterns of the CH₄ fluxes and their relationship with environmental factors, four plots were established in a salt marsh of the Nanhui coast in the southern fringe of the Yangtze River estuary, differing in sediment salinity and vegetation history and including one bare mudflat. Monthly studies from March 2017 to January 2018 using a chamber technique showed that CH₄ fluxes from the plots ranged from −1.7 to 72.2 mg m⁻² h⁻¹. The mature Spartina sites showed higher CH₄ emission, peaking in the summer. In the mudflat CH₄ consumption was observed in January and the summer. The seasonal CH₄ fluxes showed positive correlation (p < 0.05) with temperature, and plant development (height of vegetation), and negative correlation (p < 0.05) with water salinity. Various diurnal cycles in the CH₄ fluxes were observed at different seasons. Average CH₄ emissions were higher during the daytime than at night, however, without significant difference. Thus, the CH₄ fluxes started to rise at noon, and the maximum CH₄ flux was observed after the ebb tide (at 18:00) during nighttime. The diurnal variation in CH₄ fluxes showed a significant correlation with season but not with temperature.