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The Protective Role of Coastal Marshes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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  • Christine C Shepard
  • Caitlin M Crain
  • Michael W Beck

Abstract

Background: Salt marshes lie between many human communities and the coast and have been presumed to protect these communities from coastal hazards by providing important ecosystem services. However, previous characterizations of these ecosystem services have typically been based on a small number of historical studies, and the consistency and extent to which marshes provide these services has not been investigated. Here, we review the current evidence for the specific processes of wave attenuation, shoreline stabilization and floodwater attenuation to determine if and under what conditions salt marshes offer these coastal protection services. Methodology/Principal Findings: We conducted a thorough search and synthesis of the literature with reference to these processes. Seventy-five publications met our selection criteria, and we conducted meta-analyses for publications with sufficient data available for quantitative analysis. We found that combined across all studies (n = 7), salt marsh vegetation had a significant positive effect on wave attenuation as measured by reductions in wave height per unit distance across marsh vegetation. Salt marsh vegetation also had a significant positive effect on shoreline stabilization as measured by accretion, lateral erosion reduction, and marsh surface elevation change (n = 30). Salt marsh characteristics that were positively correlated to both wave attenuation and shoreline stabilization were vegetation density, biomass production, and marsh size. Although we could not find studies quantitatively evaluating floodwater attenuation within salt marshes, there are several studies noting the negative effects of wetland alteration on water quantity regulation within coastal areas. Conclusions/Significance: Our results show that salt marshes have value for coastal hazard mitigation and climate change adaptation. Because we do not yet fully understand the magnitude of this value, we propose that decision makers employ natural systems to maximize the benefits and ecosystem services provided by salt marshes and exercise caution when making decisions that erode these services.

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  • Christine C Shepard & Caitlin M Crain & Michael W Beck, 2011. "The Protective Role of Coastal Marshes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(11), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0027374
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027374
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    1. Sierra-Correa, Paula Cristina & Cantera Kintz, Jaime Ricardo, 2015. "Ecosystem-based adaptation for improving coastal planning for sea-level rise: A systematic review for mangrove coasts," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 385-393.
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    11. Reguero, Borja G. & Beck, Michael W. & Schmid, David & Stadtmüller, Daniel & Raepple, Justus & Schüssele, Stefan & Pfliegner, Kerstin, 2020. "Financing coastal resilience by combining nature-based risk reduction with insurance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    12. Mhlanganisi Africa Ndude & Kudzanai Rosebud Gwena & Hamisai Hamandawana, 2022. "The Nature, Causes and Extent of Land cover Changes in Gamtoos River Estuary, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa: 1991–2017," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    13. Rebeca de Jesus Crespo & Richard Fulford, 2018. "Eco-Health linkages: assessing the role of ecosystem goods and services on human health using causal criteria analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 63(1), pages 81-92, January.
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    15. Sutton-Grier, Ariana E. & Moore, Amber K. & Wiley, Peter C. & Edwards, Peter E.T., 2014. "Incorporating ecosystem services into the implementation of existing U.S. natural resource management regulations: Operationalizing carbon sequestration and storage," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 246-253.
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    17. Jantsje Loon-Steensma, 2015. "Salt marshes to adapt the flood defences along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 20(6), pages 929-948, August.
    18. Jana Haddad & Seth Lawler & Celso Ferreira, 2016. "Assessing the relevance of wetlands for storm surge protection: a coupled hydrodynamic and geospatial framework," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 80(2), pages 839-861, January.
    19. Strain, E.M.A. & Kompas, T. & Boxshall, A. & Kelvin, J. & Swearer, S. & Morris, R.L., 2022. "Assessing the coastal protection services of natural mangrove forests and artificial rock revetments," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    20. O’Leary, Bethan C. & Bayliss, Helen R. & Haddaway, Neal R., 2015. "Beyond PRISMA: Systematic reviews to inform marine science and policy," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 261-263.
    21. Jana Haddad & Seth Lawler & Celso M. Ferreira, 2016. "Assessing the relevance of wetlands for storm surge protection: a coupled hydrodynamic and geospatial framework," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 80(2), pages 839-861, January.
    22. Jeanne L Nel & David C Le Maitre & Deon C Nel & Belinda Reyers & Sally Archibald & Brian W van Wilgen & Greg G Forsyth & Andre K Theron & Patrick J O’Farrell & Jean-Marc Mwenge Kahinda & Francois A En, 2014. "Natural Hazards in a Changing World: A Case for Ecosystem-Based Management," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-12, May.
    23. Jungjoon Kim & Sangpil Lee & We Shim & Jongseok Kang, 2016. "A Mapping of Marine Biodiversity Research Trends and Collaboration in the East Asia Region from 1996–2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-17, October.
    24. Mahbub Ul Hasan & Evangelia G. Drakou & Efthimios Karymbalis & Alexandra Tragaki & Christina Gallousi & Camino Liquete, 2022. "Modelling and Mapping Coastal Protection: Adapting an EU-Wide Model to National Specificities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    25. Rojas, Carolina & Munizaga, Juan & Rojas, Octavio & Martínez, Carolina & Pino, Joan, 2019. "Urban development versus wetland loss in a coastal Latin American city: Lessons for sustainable land use planning," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 47-56.

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