Document Details

Title Historical analysis of 70 years of salt marsh change at three coastal LTER sites.
Archive All Files / Documents / Publications / Theses - Dissertations
Abstract

Salt marshes are dynamic ecosystems that change in response to natural and human factors. This study used digitization of historical charts and imagery and the Analyzing Moving Boundaries Using R toolkit to measure approximately 70 years of change in lateral marsh extent and the distribution of interior features (ponds, upland, channels, and flats), in marshes of the Georgia Coastal Ecosystems (GCE), Virginia Coast Reserve (VCR), and Plum Island Ecosystems (PIE) LTER sites. Measuring the marsh edge exposed to high fetch and along channels was important for providing complete information on marsh change. Although GCE was dynamic, total marsh area was conserved. VCR experienced marsh loss to flat expansion, which was offset by marsh migration, and overall marsh area was conserved. PIE was erosional, losing marsh along the outer edge, channel widening, and ponding. GCE was considered the most resilient because of its tidal range, sediment supply, and elevation.

Contributor Christine Burns
Citation

Burns, C. 2018. Historical analysis of 70 years of salt marsh change at three coastal LTER sites. M.S. Thesis. University of Georgia, Athens, GA. 188 pages.

Key Words AMBUR, channel migration, cross site analysis, Cross-site Research, historical analysis, image interpretation, lateral change, long term change, LTER, marsh change, marsh migration, ponding, shoreline change, Student Publication
File Date 2018
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LTER
NSF

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grants OCE-9982133, OCE-0620959, OCE-1237140 and OCE-1832178. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.