Planning for a Fresher Future: Implications of River Management Practices on Salt Marsh Restoration Projects in Coastal Louisiana Active
The combined effects of climate change (e.g. increased freshwater supply, sea level rise, etc.), leveeing of the Mississippi River, and the gradual settling of soil have led to a land loss crisis in coastal Louisiana. Coastal wetlands provide various ecosystem services to local coastal communities, such as storm protection, flood control, and habitat for economically and ecologically important plants and animals. The loss of such valuable wetlands has become concerning to these communities as well as natural resource managers. Creating new coastal wetlands and reconnecting the Mississippi River to adjacent wetlands are two common strategies to mitigate coastal land loss and protect vulnerable coastal communities, industries, and other stakeholders. However, uncertainties in precipitation and freshwater delivery associated with future climate impacts on wetland flora and fauna, pose a critical knowledge gap for managers.
This project will study the interaction between these two common restoration practices (marsh creation and freshwater re-introduction) and inform the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act’s mandate to restore lost wetlands on the Gulf Coast and protect wetlands from future deterioration. The overall goal is to determine how freshwater management affects the ecological trajectory, functionality, and ultimate success of coastal saltmarsh restoration projects. In addition, the project will explore the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (i.e. drone) as a tool for cost-effective post-construction monitoring of restored wetlands.
This proposal builds upon existing collaborative work among researchers, managers, and stakeholders at the federal, state, and local level. The knowledge gained will be used by partner agencies to improve decision-making processes around coastal wetlands construction projects and freshwater management structures. In addition, this research will create valuable tools to predict the ecological responses of restored and natural marshes to future climate and freshwater management scenarios. This will allow managers to better adapt management strategies relative to a changing climate and enhance the success of future coastal wetland restoration projects.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 60352d50d34eb12031173ed3)
The combined effects of climate change (e.g. increased freshwater supply, sea level rise, etc.), leveeing of the Mississippi River, and the gradual settling of soil have led to a land loss crisis in coastal Louisiana. Coastal wetlands provide various ecosystem services to local coastal communities, such as storm protection, flood control, and habitat for economically and ecologically important plants and animals. The loss of such valuable wetlands has become concerning to these communities as well as natural resource managers. Creating new coastal wetlands and reconnecting the Mississippi River to adjacent wetlands are two common strategies to mitigate coastal land loss and protect vulnerable coastal communities, industries, and other stakeholders. However, uncertainties in precipitation and freshwater delivery associated with future climate impacts on wetland flora and fauna, pose a critical knowledge gap for managers.
This project will study the interaction between these two common restoration practices (marsh creation and freshwater re-introduction) and inform the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act’s mandate to restore lost wetlands on the Gulf Coast and protect wetlands from future deterioration. The overall goal is to determine how freshwater management affects the ecological trajectory, functionality, and ultimate success of coastal saltmarsh restoration projects. In addition, the project will explore the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (i.e. drone) as a tool for cost-effective post-construction monitoring of restored wetlands.
This proposal builds upon existing collaborative work among researchers, managers, and stakeholders at the federal, state, and local level. The knowledge gained will be used by partner agencies to improve decision-making processes around coastal wetlands construction projects and freshwater management structures. In addition, this research will create valuable tools to predict the ecological responses of restored and natural marshes to future climate and freshwater management scenarios. This will allow managers to better adapt management strategies relative to a changing climate and enhance the success of future coastal wetland restoration projects.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 60352d50d34eb12031173ed3)