The effects of isostatic uplift and goose (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) herbivory on vegetation composition were measured in the La Perouse Bay in Manitoba. There were 4 major plant communities present within the study area and elevational gradients altered by isostatic uplift determined which plant community was present at a site. However, the data suggested that goose herbivory negatively effected plant cover and increased erosion and pond formation, which was the ultimate cause of vegetation loss and degradation in this salt marsh over time. Based on these results, the authors determined that the effects of isostatic uplift were minimal, within this salt marsh, compared to the effects of goose herbivory. Recovery of the salt marsh vegetation would most likely be limited following removal of goose herbivory due to degradation of the plant growth environment.
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