Marine-Sourced Sediment Supply Supports Tidal Marsh Resilience to Sea Level Rise in the Northeastern US
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Tidal marshes rely on sediment to maintain elevation and resist sea level rise (SLR). While riverine sediment is well studied, marine-sourced sediment remains understudied, particularly in regions with limited river input. We examined the influence of marine-sourced sediment on tidal marsh stability across 103 sites in the Northeastern US, using a new satellite-derived suspended sediment concentration (SSC) product. Marsh vulnerability was assessed using the Unvegetated-to-Vegetated Ratio (UVVR) and relative marsh elevation (Z*). We identified two thresholds: SSC > 20 mg/L and RSLR < 5.2 mm/year. Marshes meeting either threshold tended to remain intact, while those with both low SSC and high RSLR were more vulnerable to degradation. A north–south gradient was observed, with most unstable marshes in the southern region, where SSC declined by 9% per year on average, compared to 0.72% in the north. These findings highlight the need to include coastal sediment dynamics in restoration and adaptation planning.
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4413381745