Evaluating the Vulnerability of Indigenous Shell Middens and Marsh Habitat Diversity to Sea Level Rise
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of America host diverse ecological communities and hold Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (middens). However, both are vulnerable to erosion and submergence due to rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms. Researchers supported by this Southeast CASC project will develop a risk-assessment tool to evaluate the vulnerability of cultural sites and marsh habitat diversity to climate impacts. The outcomes will benefit land managers and Tribes by providing critical information to help protect these valuable heritage and ecological sites.
Project Summary
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of America face climate change threats from sea level rise and frequent severe storms. These wetlands provide important environmental services, such as habitat for wildlife and storm surge protection for coastal communities, but they also contain Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (or shell middens). When sea level was lower, Indigenous communities lived near the coast, where they harvested oysters and other foods, creating piles of shells, broken pottery, beadwork, and other materials. Over time, as sea levels rose and coastal landforms changed, much of the area was transformed into wetlands and barrier islands. Today, the shell middens sit at higher elevations than the surrounding marsh, creating unique diverse habitats and ecosystems. However, rising sea levels and stronger storms put these historical cultural artifacts and ecological diversity at risk to submergence and erosion.
The goals of this project are to determine which cultural sites are at the greatest risk, focusing on Apalachicola and Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves as pilot study sites and to create a risk-assessment tool to increase awareness about cultural site risks to erosion and submergence and to help guide decision-making. The project team will build an advisory team of Tribal representatives, state archaeologists, and land managers to guide the creation of the tool. The project will also increase Indigenous representation in coastal and archaeological sciences by creating a field course that is free to Indigenous students. This engagement can help ensure future management decisions are informed by both cultural and ecological data.
The site risk-assessment tool and shell midden vulnerability model from this project will equip managers and Tribes with practical tools and information for protecting cultural heritage sites and unique habitats from climate change threats.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 66d8a3fbd34eef5af66cae6b)
Kathryn E L Smith, Ph.D.
Research Ecologist
Kristin Byrd, Ph.D.
Research Physical Scientist
Davina L. Passeri, PhD
Research Oceanographer
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of America host diverse ecological communities and hold Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (middens). However, both are vulnerable to erosion and submergence due to rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms. Researchers supported by this Southeast CASC project will develop a risk-assessment tool to evaluate the vulnerability of cultural sites and marsh habitat diversity to climate impacts. The outcomes will benefit land managers and Tribes by providing critical information to help protect these valuable heritage and ecological sites.
Project Summary
Coastal marshes in the Gulf of America face climate change threats from sea level rise and frequent severe storms. These wetlands provide important environmental services, such as habitat for wildlife and storm surge protection for coastal communities, but they also contain Native American cultural artifacts within shell mounds (or shell middens). When sea level was lower, Indigenous communities lived near the coast, where they harvested oysters and other foods, creating piles of shells, broken pottery, beadwork, and other materials. Over time, as sea levels rose and coastal landforms changed, much of the area was transformed into wetlands and barrier islands. Today, the shell middens sit at higher elevations than the surrounding marsh, creating unique diverse habitats and ecosystems. However, rising sea levels and stronger storms put these historical cultural artifacts and ecological diversity at risk to submergence and erosion.
The goals of this project are to determine which cultural sites are at the greatest risk, focusing on Apalachicola and Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves as pilot study sites and to create a risk-assessment tool to increase awareness about cultural site risks to erosion and submergence and to help guide decision-making. The project team will build an advisory team of Tribal representatives, state archaeologists, and land managers to guide the creation of the tool. The project will also increase Indigenous representation in coastal and archaeological sciences by creating a field course that is free to Indigenous students. This engagement can help ensure future management decisions are informed by both cultural and ecological data.
The site risk-assessment tool and shell midden vulnerability model from this project will equip managers and Tribes with practical tools and information for protecting cultural heritage sites and unique habitats from climate change threats.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 66d8a3fbd34eef5af66cae6b)