Canopy disturbance alters competitive outcomes between two brackish marsh plant species

► We measured growth of S. americanus and D. spicata in mixture and in monoculture. ► We tested the effect of a canopy disturbance on each composition. ► We measured aboveground and belowground productivity of each species. ► Production of S. americanus in mixture was greater than D. spicata after disturbance. ► S. americanus was competitively superior to D. spicata in all treatments.