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Some Coastal Salt Marshes Are Keeping Up with Sea Level Rise -- For Now
Coastal salt marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, providing a range of benefits to both humans and wildlife. However, these marshes are under threat from sea level rise caused by climate change. Despite this, some coastal salt marshes are managing to keep up with sea level rise -- at least for now.
What are Coastal Salt Marshes?
Coastal salt marshes are wetlands that are found along the coastlines of many countries around the world. They are characterized by their unique vegetation, which is adapted to living in salty water. These plants help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion, while also providing habitat for a range of wildlife.
The Threat of Sea Level Rise
Sea level rise is one of the biggest threats facing coastal salt marshes today. As sea levels rise due to climate change, these wetlands can become flooded more frequently and for longer periods of time. This can lead to the loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which in turn can reduce the ability of these ecosystems to provide their many benefits.
Some Coastal Salt Marshes Are Keeping Up
Despite the threat of sea level rise, some coastal salt marshes are managing to keep up -- at least for now. A recent study published in the journal Nature Communications found that some marshes in New England in the United States were able to keep pace with sea level rise over a period of 15 years.
The researchers found that these marshes were able to do this by building up their soil elevation through a process known as accretion. This involves the accumulation of sediment and organic matter on top of existing soil, which raises the elevation of the marsh and helps it keep pace with sea level rise.
Why Some Marshes Are More Resilient Than Others
Not all coastal salt marshes are able to keep up with sea level rise, however. The researchers found that the marshes that were most resilient tended to be those that were located in areas with low wave energy and high sediment supply. These factors allowed for more sediment to be deposited on the marsh surface, which helped to raise its elevation.
In contrast, marshes that were located in areas with high wave energy and low sediment supply were less resilient to sea level rise. These marshes experienced more erosion and had a harder time building up their soil elevation.
The Importance of Protecting Coastal Salt Marshes
Coastal salt marshes provide a range of benefits to both humans and wildlife. They help to protect coastlines from storm surges and erosion, filter pollutants from the water, and provide habitat for a range of species. They are also important carbon sinks, storing large amounts of carbon in their soil.
Given the many benefits provided by coastal salt marshes, it is important to protect them from the threat of sea level rise. This can be done through a range of measures, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow the rate of climate change, restoring degraded marshes, and protecting existing marshes from development and other threats.
Conclusion
Coastal salt marshes are under threat from sea level rise caused by climate change. However, some marshes are managing to keep up with this threat through the process of accretion. The resilience of these marshes is influenced by factors such as wave energy and sediment supply. Given the many benefits provided by coastal salt marshes, it is important to protect them from the threat of sea level rise through a range of measures.
FAQs
1. What is accretion?
Accretion is the process by which sediment and organic matter accumulate on top of existing soil, raising the elevation of a coastal salt marsh.
2. Why are some coastal salt marshes more resilient than others?
Coastal salt marshes that are located in areas with low wave energy and high sediment supply tend to be more resilient to sea level rise than those in areas with high wave energy and low sediment supply.
3. What benefits do coastal salt marshes provide?
Coastal salt marshes provide a range of benefits, including protecting coastlines from storm surges and erosion, filtering pollutants from the water, providing habitat for a range of species, and storing large amounts of carbon in their soil.
4. How can coastal salt marshes be protected from sea level rise?
Coastal salt marshes can be protected from sea level rise through measures such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, restoring degraded marshes, and protecting existing marshes from development and other threats.
5. Why is it important to protect coastal salt marshes?
Coastal salt marshes provide a range of benefits to both humans and wildlife, making them an important ecosystem to protect from the threat of sea level rise.
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