Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Salt marshes across the East Coast, including New Hampshire, have lost considerable areas of vegetation cover from shoreline erosion and interior pool formation as sea level rise outpaces the marsh’s ability to maintain elevation. Marsh migration, or the inland transgression of halophyte vegetation into upland habitats, is one of the main mechanisms for salt marshes to maintain their areal extent on centennial timescales and recently has been a key strategy discussed by resource managers for shorter term timescales. A literature review was conducted to determine the extent of the research on the topic including biogeochemical drivers, response of the vegetation community, impacts of anthropogenic alterations, and potential indicators of appropriate corridors for marsh migration. Research gaps were identified in the literature and future monitoring protocols and avenues of research were outlined with a focus on New Hampshire and New England.
Date Created
03/21/2024
Department
Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
Subject
Salt Marsh Ecology
Publication Date
Spring 3-21-2024
Document Type
Report
Recommended Citation
JG McKown and DM Burdick. 2024. Salt marsh migration into coastal uplands and application for conservation in New Hampshire. Prepared for Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Greenland, New Hampshire. 45 pp.