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.
Petaluma marsh is located along the Petaluma River and covers 81 hectares. We surveyed 655 elevation points and 357 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 were used as input for the WARMER sea-level rise response model. WARMER projects that by 2050 Petaluma marsh will be dominated by low marsh vegetation and will transition into mudflat habitat by 2080.
PETALUMA MARSH
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To download the Petaluma PDF Summary Report (Petaluma appendix from USGS Open-File Report Final report for sea-level rise response modeling for San Francisco Bay estuary tidal marshes):
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Projected sea-level rise at Petaluma 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.
Sea-level Rise Scenario for San Francisco Bay Estuary - Petaluma 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.
Petaluma marsh is located along the Petaluma River and covers 81 hectares. We surveyed 655 elevation points and 357 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 were used as input for the WARMER sea-level rise response model. WARMER projects that by 2050 Petaluma marsh will be dominated by low marsh vegetation and will transition into mudflat habitat by 2080.
PETALUMA MARSH
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
To download the Petaluma PDF Summary Report (Petaluma appendix from USGS Open-File Report Final report for sea-level rise response modeling for San Francisco Bay estuary tidal marshes):
The referenced media source is missing and needs to be re-embedded.
Projected sea-level rise at Petaluma 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.
Sea-level Rise Scenario for San Francisco Bay Estuary - Petaluma 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.
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.