Matthew P. J. Oreska

Smithsonian Institution

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Karen J. McGlathery

University of Virginia

Matthew T. Carrano

Smithsonian Institution

Lillian R. Aoki

Cornell University

Robert J. Orth

William & Mary

Peter Berg

University of Virginia

David J. Wilcox

William & Mary

Kevin R. Chamberlain

University of Wyoming

Patricia L. Wiberg

University of Virginia

Abree Murch

Smithsonian Institution

Amélie Berger

University of Virginia

Cooperative Institutions

University of Virginia

Edith Cowan University

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

William & Mary

Smithsonian Institution

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

McCormick (United States)

Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Southern Cross University

Ecological Society of America

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Vertebrate paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), I: faunal composition, biogeographic relationships, and sampling

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2013)

Matthew P. J. Oreska Matthew T. Carrano Katherine M. Dzikiewicz

ABSTRACT The vertebrate fauna of the Cloverly Formation has been studied for more than 75 years, but remains poorly sampled and incompletely understood. We undertook an extensive survey of the formation that resulted in the discovery of several new, highly productive vertebrate microfossil bonebeds (VMBs). Comprehensive sampling of these and other sites has nearly doubled the known vertebrate diversity of the Cloverly Formation. In addition to the comparatively well-known dinosaurs, this augmented faunal list includes hybodontoid sharks, numerous bony fishes, three lissamphibian lineages, lizards, multiple crocodylians, and several new mammal occurrences. The known Cloverly vertebrate fauna now more closely resembles those of other late Early Cretaceous formations in North America, indicating broad similarities across wide geographic areas at this time. In addition, this work underscores the important role VMBs can play in areas previously studied primarily through surface prospecting and quarrying, especially for assessing paleoecology and species diversity.

Mammal

Paleoecology

10.1080/02724634.2012.717567

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Citations (56)

Vertebrate paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), III: a new species of Albanerpeton, with biogeographic and paleoecological implications

Figshare (2022)

Matthew T. Carrano Matthew P. J. Oreska Abree Murch Kelli C. Trujillo Kevin R. Chamberlain

We describe a new species of the albanerpetontid amphibian Albanerpeton from three localities in the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Wyoming, U.S.A. Radiometric dates between ∼111–112 Ma indicate it is slightly younger than A. arthridion from the Antlers Formation. The new species is diagnosed on a pair of fused frontals that possess a unique combination of characters, mixing plesiomorphic features of the internasal process with a more derived overall shape and proportions. Referred material includes premaxillae, maxillae, dentaries, atlantes, ‘axes,’ trunk vertebrae, humeri, and an ilium. Phylogenetic analyses place the new species near the base of Albanerpeton sensu lato but without fully resolving its position. The inclusion of Shirerpeton and Wesserpeton within this clade opens up the possibility that these genera might be incorporated into Albanerpeton, or that a number of species formerly assigned to Albanerpeton might receive new generic assignments. By including several informal species in our analysis, it becomes clear that character distributions are more homoplastic and that past genus typologies are probably less secure. We assign the new species to Albanerpeton conservatively, pending further phylogenetic study. The Cloverly Albanerpeton is found in unambiguously aquatic deposits, suggesting that the animal lived near these settings for at least part of its life. This is a common habitat for Mesozoic albanerpetontids, unlike the karst-dominated, often drier, deposits in which Cenozoic species are typically found. Despite the recent discovery of a probable arboreal species, it is likely that albanerpetontids inhabited a range of habitats throughout their evolutionary history.

Vertebrate paleontology

Paleoecology

10.6084/m9.figshare.19291203

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Citations (0)

Seagrass blue carbon spatial patterns at the meadow-scale

PLoS ONE (2017)

Matthew P. J. Oreska Karen J. McGlathery John H. Porter

Most information on seagrass carbon burial derives from point measurements, which are sometimes scaled by meadow area to estimate carbon stocks; however, sediment organic carbon (Corg) concentrations may vary with distance from the meadow edge, resulting in spatial gradients that affect the accuracy of stock estimates. We mapped sediment Corg concentrations throughout a large (6 km2) restored seagrass meadow to determine whether Corg distribution patterns exist at different spatial scales. The meadow originated from ≤1-acre plots seeded between 2001 and 2004, so we expected Corg to vary spatially according to the known meadow age at sample sites and with proximity to the meadow edge. Applying spatial autoregressive models allowed us to control for spatial autocorrelation and quantify the relative effects of edge proximity and age on Corg concentrations. We found that edge proximity, not age, significantly predicted the meadow-scale Corg distribution. We also evaluated relationships between Corg and a variety of specific explanatory variables, including site relative exposure, shoot density, sediment grain size, and bathymetry. Factors known to affect carbon burial at the plot-scale, such as meadow age and shoot density, were not significant controls on the meadow-scale Corg distribution. Strong correlations between Corg, grain size, and edge proximity suggest that current attenuation increases fine-sediment deposition and, therefore, carbon burial with distance into the meadow. By mapping the sediment Corg pool, we provide the first accurate quantification of an enhanced carbon stock attributable to seagrass restoration. The top 12 cm of the bed contain 3660 t Corg, approximately 1200 t more Corg than an equal area of bare sediment. Most of that net increase is concentrated in a meadow area with low tidal current velocities. Managers should account for the effects of meadow configuration and current velocity when estimating seagrass blue carbon stocks. Our results suggest that a large, contiguous meadow should store more blue carbon than an equal area of small meadow patches.

Blue carbon

10.1371/journal.pone.0176630

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Citations (106)

The Science and Policy of the Verified Carbon Standard Methodology for Tidal Wetland and Seagrass Restoration

Estuaries and Coasts (2018)

Brian A. Needelman I.M. Emmer Stephen Emmett-Mattox Stephen Crooks J. Patrick Megonigal

Salt marsh

Soil carbon

Additionality

Blue carbon

10.1007/s12237-018-0429-0

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Citations (117)

Vertebrate paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), IV: the oldest edentulous frog (Salientia) from Laurasia

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2024)

Matthew P. J. Oreska David G. DeMar James D. Gardner Matthew T. Carrano

Laurasia

Vertebrate paleontology

Tetrapod (structure)

10.1080/02724634.2024.2399102

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Non‐seagrass carbon contributions to seagrass sediment blue carbon

Limnology and Oceanography (2017)

Matthew P. J. Oreska Grace M. Wilkinson Karen J. McGlathery Molly C. Bost Brent A. McKee

Abstract Non‐seagrass sources account for ∼ 50% of the sediment organic carbon (SOC) in many seagrass beds, a fraction that may derive from external organic matter (OM) advected into the meadow and trapped by the seagrass canopy or produced in situ. If allochthonous carbon fluxes are responsible for the non‐seagrass SOC in a given seagrass bed, this fraction should decrease with distance from the meadow perimeter. Identifying the spatial origin of SOC is important for closing seagrass carbon budgets and “blue carbon” offset‐credit accounting, but studies have yet to quantify and map seagrass SOC stocks by carbon source. We measured sediment δ 13 C, δ 15 N, and δ 34 S throughout a large (6 km 2 ), restored Zostera marina (eelgrass) meadow and applied Bayesian mixing models to quantify total SOC contributions from possible autotroph sources, Z. marina , Spartina alterniflora , and benthic microalgae (BMA). Z. marina accounted for < 40% of total meadow SOC, but we did not find evidence for outwelling from the fringing S. alterniflora salt‐marsh or OM advection from bare subtidal areas. S. alterniflora SOC contributions averaged 10% at sites both inside and outside of the meadow. The BMA fraction accounted for 51% of total meadow SOC and was highest at sites furthest from the bare subtidal‐meadow edge, indicative of in situ production. 210 Pb profiles confirmed that meadow‐enhanced sedimentation facilitates the burial of in situ BMA. Deducting this contribution from total SOC would underestimate total organic carbon fixation within the meadow. Seagrass meadows can enhance BMA burial, which likely accounts for most of the non‐seagrass SOC stored in many seagrass beds.

Spartina alterniflora

Blue carbon

Zostera marina

Salt marsh

Carbon fibers

10.1002/lno.10718

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Citations (61)

The greenhouse gas offset potential from seagrass restoration

Scientific Reports (2020)

Matthew P. J. Oreska Karen J. McGlathery Lillian R. Aoki Amélie Berger Peter Berg

Abstract Awarding CO 2 offset credits may incentivize seagrass restoration projects and help reverse greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global seagrass loss. However, no study has quantified net GHG removal from the atmosphere from a seagrass restoration project, which would require coupled C org stock and GHG flux enhancement measurements, or determined whether the creditable offset benefit can finance the restoration. We measured all of the necessary GHG accounting parameters in the 7-km 2 Zostera marina (eelgrass) meadow in Virginia, U.S.A., part of the largest, most cost-effective meadow restoration to date, to provide the first seagrass offset finance test-of-concept. Restoring seagrass removed 9,600 tCO 2 from the atmosphere over 15 years but also enhanced both CH 4 and N 2 O production, releasing 950 tCO 2 e. Despite tripling the N 2 O flux to 0.06 g m −2 yr −1 and increasing CH 4 8-fold to 0.8 g m −2 yr −1 , the meadow now offsets 0.42 tCO 2 e ha −1 yr −1 , which is roughly equivalent to the seagrass sequestration rate for GHG inventory accounting but lower than the rates for temperate and tropical forests. The financial benefit for this highly successful project, $87 K at $10 MtCO 2 e −1 , defrays ~10% of the restoration cost. Managers should also consider seagrass co-benefits, which provide additional incentives for seagrass restoration.

Zostera marina

Blue carbon

10.1038/s41598-020-64094-1

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Citations (86)

Defining the Zostera marina (Eelgrass) Niche from Long-Term Success of Restored and Naturally Colonized Meadows: Implications for Seagrass Restoration

Estuaries and Coasts (2021)

Matthew P. J. Oreska Karen J. McGlathery Patricia L. Wiberg Robert J. Orth David J. Wilcox

Zostera marina

Restoration Ecology

Propagule

10.1007/s12237-020-00881-3

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Citations (34)

Vertebrate paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), II: Paleoecology

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2016)

Matthew T. Carrano Matthew P. J. Oreska Rowan Lockwood

Vertebrate microfossil assemblages in terrestrial formations are a promising source of data on the structure of fossil metacommunities. However, the degree to which these deposits capture true, metacommunity-level samples is unknown. Individual deposits may be biased in ways that limit their utility for intra- and inter-formation comparisons. This study describes the composition of ten vertebrate microfossil assemblages collected from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation in Montana and Wyoming, U.S.A., and evaluates whether the assemblages are sufficiently similar to suggest the presence of a single Cloverly metacommunity, or 'paleocommunity type.' The assemblages appear to be biased by factors related to the preferential incorporation and preservation of different taxa and skeletal element types, which compound with decreasing locality sample size. Less productive localities lack whole taxonomic groups, especially small, fully terrestrial vertebrates. Only the two vertebrate microfossil bonebeds approach the known formation richness. High individual tooth counts overrepresent particular species, especially the crocodylians. Despite these biases, the multiple assemblages nevertheless yield statistically similar taxon abundance rank orders, suggesting the presence of a single, formation-wide paleo-metacommunity, which bears resemblance to a viable metacommunity. The aggregate assemblage exhibits an 'Eltonian pyramid' trophic hierarchy for both terrestrial and aquatic taxa. Comparing the multiple assemblages synoptically also reveals possible landscape-scale abundance patterns for particular species. Taken together, microvertebrate assemblages offer insight into regional paleo-metacommunities and provide samples for inter-formational comparisons at this level.SUPPLEMENTAL DATA—Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVPCitation for this article: Carrano, M. T., M. P. J. Oreska, and R. Lockwood. 2016. Vertebrate paleontology of the Cloverly Formation (Lower Cretaceous), II: Paleoecology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.1071265.

Metacommunity

Taxonomic rank

Nestedness

Paleoecology

10.1080/02724634.2015.1071265

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Citations (14)

Restoration of seagrass habitat leads to rapid recovery of coastal ecosystem services

Science Advances (2020)

Robert J. Orth Jonathan S. Lefcheck Karen McGlathery Lillian R. Aoki Mark W. Luckenbach

A total of 3612 ha of seagrass habitat was restored to the Virginia coast along with services like blue carbon and fisheries.

Blue carbon

Marine habitats

10.1126/sciadv.abc6434

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Citations (225)