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Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes

Author

Listed:
  • Neil K. Ganju

    (U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center)

  • Zafer Defne

    (U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center)

  • Matthew L. Kirwan

    (Virginia Institute of Marine Science)

  • Sergio Fagherazzi

    (Boston University)

  • Andrea D’Alpaos

    (University of Padua, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering)

  • Luca Carniello

    (University of Padua, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering)

Abstract

Salt marshes are valued for their ecosystem services, and their vulnerability is typically assessed through biotic and abiotic measurements at individual points on the landscape. However, lateral erosion can lead to rapid marsh loss as marshes build vertically. Marsh sediment budgets represent a spatially integrated measure of competing constructive and destructive forces: a sediment surplus may result in vertical growth and/or lateral expansion, while a sediment deficit may result in drowning and/or lateral contraction. Here we show that sediment budgets of eight microtidal marsh complexes consistently scale with areal unvegetated/vegetated marsh ratios (UVVR) suggesting these metrics are broadly applicable indicators of microtidal marsh vulnerability. All sites are exhibiting a sediment deficit, with half the sites having projected lifespans of less than 350 years at current rates of sea-level rise and sediment availability. These results demonstrate that open-water conversion and sediment deficits are holistic and sensitive indicators of salt marsh vulnerability.

Suggested Citation

  • Neil K. Ganju & Zafer Defne & Matthew L. Kirwan & Sergio Fagherazzi & Andrea D’Alpaos & Luca Carniello, 2017. "Spatially integrative metrics reveal hidden vulnerability of microtidal salt marshes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms14156
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14156
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonard O. Ohenhen & Manoochehr Shirzaei & Chandrakanta Ojha & Matthew L. Kirwan, 2023. "Hidden vulnerability of US Atlantic coast to sea-level rise due to vertical land motion," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Kevin C. Hanegan & Duncan M. FitzGerald & Ioannis Y. Georgiou & Zoe J. Hughes, 2023. "Long-term sea level rise modeling of a basin-tidal inlet system reveals sediment sinks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Xuejiao Hou & Danghan Xie & Lian Feng & Fang Shen & Jaap H. Nienhuis, 2024. "Sustained increase in suspended sediments near global river deltas over the past two decades," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Zafer Defne & Alfredo L Aretxabaleta & Neil K Ganju & Tarandeep S Kalra & Daniel K Jones & Kathryn E L Smith, 2020. "A geospatially resolved wetland vulnerability index: Synthesis of physical drivers," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-27, January.

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