Salt Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise

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DID YOU KNOW? Salt Marsh Response to Sea Level Rise Goldenrod, groundsel eer, bush, marsh elder, haw, cear Saltmeaow corrass, ommon ree switchrass spierass, phramites lasswort, saltmarsh sparrow, stunted smooth asters Atlantic corrass, an silversies, sea lavener Smooth corrass, minnows, heron, mussels Stripe ass, eret seawee, ra, ﬂounder, mussels, clams worms Salt panne ransitional area Sprin hih tie Averae hih tie Mitie level Averae low tie 1 2 3 4 5 6 SAL AL MFLA L MAS MAS SAL AS LA Submerged Flooded at high tide Flooded daily at high tide Flooded at spring high tides (higher than Flooded rarely Above tidal zone, subject average high tides; occurs twice monthly) at extreme high tide to storm surge/salt spray Profile of a Long Island Sound Salt Marsh Ecosystem (Illustration by Lucy Reading-Ikkanda/LISS) A SALT MARSH, a type of tidal marsh or tidal wetland, is a For example, it can change from an infrequently flooded high band of vegetation along coastal waters influenced by saltwater marsh to a frequently flooded low marsh. Such changes will tidal flooding. It generally includes three ecologically distinct eventually alter the ecological functions the marsh provides. vegetation zones shown here as low marsh, high marsh and If undeveloped upland exists along the marsh’s Upper Border upper border. These zones, largely defined by the frequency suitable for saltmarsh plant growth, the marsh will, given of saltwater tidal flooding, are determined by small differences appropriate elevations, likely migrate upland, shifting the marsh in the marsh surface’s elevation relative to normal or mean plant communities’ shown here upslope. high water. As sea level rises, the elevation of the marsh can normally keep pace with rising water levels by accumulating The Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) is used sediment and organic material. However, if sea level rises at a to predict changes in the Long Island Sound marsh ecosystem rate that exceeds the marsh’s ability to increase its elevation caused by sea level rise and demonstrates how marshes may by accumulating sediment and organic material, then the change under alternative sea level rise scenarios. More about marsh becomes wetter (begins to ‘drown’) and can change. SLAMM is available at www.longislandsoundstudy.net/SLAMM/. For more information, visit www.longislandsoundstudy.net/slamm. For questions on the SLAMM project, the SLAMM Viewer tools, or on how SLAMM can help your community plan for the future, contact David Kozak ([email protected]; 860.424.3608) or Victoria O’Neill ([email protected]; 631.444.0441)..

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