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Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Laumeister Marsh

Science Center Objects

Laumeister marsh is located on the western side of south San Francisco Bay and covers 37 hectares. We surveyed 717 elevation points and 72 vegetation plots to determine baseline conditions of the marsh. Water level loggers deployed in 2010 were used to characterize the tidal inundation patterns throughout the year. Sediment accretion rates from soil cores at a nearby marsh (Whale’s Tail) were used as input for the WARMER sea-level rise response model. WARMER projects that by 2070 Laumeister marsh will be dominated by mid marsh vegetation and will transition into low marsh habitat by 2100. 

Laumeister marsh is located on the western side of south San Francisco Bay and covers 37 hectares. We surveyed 717 elevation points and 72 vegetation plots to determine baseline conditions of the marsh. Water level loggers deployed in 2010 were used to characterize the tidal inundation patterns throughout the year. Sediment accretion rates from soil cores at a nearby marsh (Whale’s Tail) were used as input for the WARMER sea-level rise response model. WARMER projects that by 2070 Laumeister marsh will be dominated by mid marsh vegetation and will transition into low marsh habitat by 2100. 

LAUMEISTER MARSH

WERC Laumeister study area
(Public domain.)
WERC Laumeister marsh figures
The elevation histogram for Laumeister Marsh shows the marsh platform is above MHW on average (Fig. 1). Data from the vegetation surveys indicate moderate species richness (Fig. 2).  Results from WARMER response model indicate that Laumeister will lose relative elevation as sea levels rise (Fig. 3). The marsh platform at Laumeister Marsh is projected to transition to low marsh habitat by 2070 but remain above mean sea level through 2100 (Fig. 4). The percent of time Laumeister Marsh is inundated varies throughout the year by season, with the most inundation during the winter (Fig. 5). (Public domain.)
WERC Laumeister WARMER results
(Public domain.)

To download the Laumeister PDF Summary Report (Laumeister appendix from USGS Open-File Report Final report for sea-level rise response modeling for San Francisco Bay estuary tidal marshes):

Laumeister Summary ReportLaumeister Summary Report

 

Below are map products associated with this project.

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Projected sea-level rise at Laumeister Marsh. Dark blue represents mean high water level, light blue is mean sea level. The marsh platform is accreting a constant 1.9 mm/yr, sea level rises 0.4 m by 2050 and 1.0 meter by 2100.

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video thumbnail: Sea-level Rise Scenario for San Francisco Bay Estuary - Laumeister Marsh
December 31, 2009

Sea-level Rise Scenario for San Francisco Bay Estuary - Laumeister Marsh

How will sea level rise impact coastal ecosystems like salt marshes? Will plant species change and shift available habitat for local wildlife? Or will the marsh be completely inundated? USGS scientists are conducting extensive elevation and habitat surveys along the U.S. Pacific Coast, and using the data to model sea level rise impact for the next 100 years. This research

Attribution: Land Resources, Western Ecological Research Center