Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Chase Freeman (Former Employee)

Science and Products

link
Pacific coast wetlands

Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes

View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes

View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
Learn More
link
WERC Scientist conducting elevation surveys in a salt marsh

Coastal Ecosystem Response to Sea-level Rise

USGS WERC’s Dr. Karen Thorne, her team of reseachers, and her partners are currently taking a local site network approach to describe current and future conditions and projected responses of coastal ecosystems to sea-level rise and other stressors. The Coastal Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (CERCC) program’s goal is to understand how ecosystems vary in their ability to keep up with sea-level...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Coastal Ecosystem Response to Sea-level Rise

USGS WERC’s Dr. Karen Thorne, her team of reseachers, and her partners are currently taking a local site network approach to describe current and future conditions and projected responses of coastal ecosystems to sea-level rise and other stressors. The Coastal Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (CERCC) program’s goal is to understand how ecosystems vary in their ability to keep up with sea-level...
Learn More
link
WERC Marsh in China Camp

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Learn More
link
WERC technician deploying water level logger

Ecological Stressors - Rocky Coastlines, Mangroves, Marshes, Droughts, and Storms

Coastal estuaries that contain marshes and mangroves are currently being reshaped by changing ocean and atmospheric conditions through prolong drought, sea-level rise and increased extreme storm events. Many projected increases in sea-level are expected to result in loss of tidal wetlands and their component species. In addition, changing sediment loads, extreme tide and storm events, and shifting...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Ecological Stressors - Rocky Coastlines, Mangroves, Marshes, Droughts, and Storms

Coastal estuaries that contain marshes and mangroves are currently being reshaped by changing ocean and atmospheric conditions through prolong drought, sea-level rise and increased extreme storm events. Many projected increases in sea-level are expected to result in loss of tidal wetlands and their component species. In addition, changing sediment loads, extreme tide and storm events, and shifting...
Learn More
link
WERC researcher conducting elevation surveys in San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Modeling Sea-Level Rise in San Francisco Bay Estuary

With sea level rise, how will the coastal habitats of the San Francisco Bay Estuary change over the next 100 years? Mapping and modeling studies by Dr. Karen Thorne, WERC scientists, and partners have produced scenarios for this important coastal ecosystem.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary
link

Modeling Sea-Level Rise in San Francisco Bay Estuary

With sea level rise, how will the coastal habitats of the San Francisco Bay Estuary change over the next 100 years? Mapping and modeling studies by Dr. Karen Thorne, WERC scientists, and partners have produced scenarios for this important coastal ecosystem.
Learn More
link
WERC Scientist conducting elevation surveys in a salt marsh

San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station

The San Francisco Bay Field Station is the center of studies on recovering tidal wetland ecosystems and ongoing efforts to balance the restoration of local marshes and the needs of seabirds. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this station and its research.
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station

The San Francisco Bay Field Station is the center of studies on recovering tidal wetland ecosystems and ongoing efforts to balance the restoration of local marshes and the needs of seabirds. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this station and its research.
Learn More

Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019

Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat characteristics
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

UAS Whiskeytown

Raw aerial photography, orthorectified imagery, point cloud data, and digital elevation models (DEMs) for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (NRA) following the Carr Fire. Sites within the NRA include: Lower Crystal Creek, Tower House, Grizzly Gulch, Boulder Creek South Shore and Conifer, Brandy Creek Camp, Shasta Divide, Paige Bar (North, NEED Camp, East, and Southeast), Chinese Laundry, and Co
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Salt marsh monitoring during water years 2013 to 2019, Humboldt Bay, CA – water levels, surface deposition, elevation change, and carbon storage

This data release includes montorting data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Humboldt Bay Water Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. The datasets include continuous water levels collected at a 6-minute timestep collected in two study marshes (Mad River and Hookton). Surface deposition, elevation changes and carbon storage (in marsh edge environments) measured in five USGS study
By
California Water Science Center

Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii) juvenile and adult abundance across the known range, California, USA (2019)

These datasets provide information on total plant cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii) abundance within grids across the subspecies' extant range in California. These data support the following publication: Jones, S.F., Kennedy, A., Freeman, C.M. et al. Intensity of grass invasion negatively correlated with p
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Pacific Northwest tidal marsh plant biomass from a 2017 greenhouse experiment with flooding and salinity manipulations

The sensitivity of tidal marshes to environmental changes that result from sea-level rise or drought conditions is uncertain. We used a controlled greenhouse experiment and factorial flooding x salinity treatments to explore the differential responses of three tidal marsh plant species. Each species exhibited unique responses, with negative responses to increased salinity and longer flooding, but
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Small mammal surveys from northern San Francisco Bay: 1998-2014

This datasets summarizes small mammal trapping efforts that USGS San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station has led, co-led, or supervised, to detect and monitor the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay from 1998-2014. As the salt marsh harvest mouse is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, sensitive location
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 14

A summary of water-quality and salt marsh monitoring, Humboldt Bay, California

This report summarizes data-collection activities associated with the U.S. Geological Survey Humboldt Bay Water-Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. This work was undertaken to gain a comprehensive understanding of water-quality conditions, salt marsh accretion processes, marsh-edge erosion, and soil-carbon storage in Humboldt Bay, California. Multiparameter sondes recorded water temperature
Authors
Jennifer A. Curtis, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Judith Z. Drexler
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, California Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data

Few studies have evaluated the optimal sampling design for tracking small mammal population trends, especially for rare or difficult to detect species. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models present an advancement over non-spatial models by accounting for individual movement when estimating density. The salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) is a federal and Calif
Authors
Chase M. Freeman, Laureen Barthman-Thompson, Robert C. Klinger, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Atmospheric river storm flooding influences tidal marsh elevation building processes

Disturbances are a key component of ecological processes in coastal ecosystems. Investigating factors that affect tidal marsh accretion and elevation change is important, largely due to accelerating sea-level rise and the ecological and economic value of wetlands. Sediment accumulation rates, elevation change, and flooding were examined at five marshes along a riverine-tidal gradient in the northe
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Scott Jones, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Christopher N. Janousek, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Climate change vulnerability assessment for the California coastal national monument—Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta units

Executive SummaryThe California Coastal National Monument protects islets, reefs, and rock outcropping habitats in six onshore units, including the Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta Units.The California Coastal National Monument provides crucial habitat for resident and migratory species of seabirds, marine mammals, and invertebrates, which includes several federally listed threatened and endange
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Susan E.W. De La Cruz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Intensity of grass invasion negatively correlated with population density and age structure of an endangered dune plant across its range

Invasive species are a global threat to ecosystem biodiversity and function; non-native grass invasion has been particularly problematic in sparsely vegetated ecosystems such as open dunes. Native plant population responses to invasion, however, are infrequently translated to landscape scales, limiting the effectiveness of these data for addressing conservation issues. We quantified population den
Authors
Scott Jones, Anna Kennedy, Chase M. Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity

Tidal wetlands support plant communities that facilitate carbon storage, accrete soil, and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species. Climate change is likely to alter estuaries through sea-level rise and changing precipitation patterns, although the ecological responses are uncertain. We were interested in plant responses to physiological stress induced by elevated water salinity and fl
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Arianna C Goodman, Chase M. Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Habitat of the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in San Francisco Bay

Understanding habitat associations is vital for conservation of at‐risk marsh‐endemic wildlife species, particularly those under threat from sea level rise. We modeled environmental and habitat associations of the marsh‐endemic, Federally endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris, RERA) and co‐occurrence with eight associated small mammal species from annual trap data, 1998–
Authors
Bruce G. Marcot, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence

Robust assessments of ecosystem stability are critical for informing conservation and management decisions. Tidal marsh ecosystems provide vital services, yet are globally threatened by anthropogenic alterations to physical and biological processes. A variety of monitoring and modeling approaches have been undertaken to determine which tidal marshes are likely to persist into the future. Here, we
Authors
Kerstin Wasson, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Charlie Endris, Tracy Elsey-Quirk, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Daniel J. Nowacki, Kenneth B. Raposa
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Thin-layer sediment addition to an existing salt marsh to combat sea-level rise and improve endangered species habitat in California, USA

Current tidal marsh elevations and their accretion rates are important predictors of vulnerability to sea-level rise. When tidal marshes are at risk, adaptation measures, such as sediment addition to increase elevations, can be implemented to prevent degradation and loss. In 2016, wildlife managers prescribed a thin-layer sediment addition of locally sourced dredged material from Anaheim Bay to mi
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Jordan A. Rosencranz, Neil K. Ganju, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast.

Periodic oscillations between El Niño and La Niña conditions in the Pacific Basin affect oceanographic and meteorological phenomena globally, with impacts on the abundance and distribution of marine species. However, El Niño effects on estuarine hydrology and tidal wetland processes have seldom been examined rigorously. We used detailed wetland elevation and local inundation data from 10 tidal wet
Authors
Arianna Goodman, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Chase M. Freeman, Christopher N. Janousek
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise

We used a first-of-its-kind comprehensive scenario approach to evaluate both the vertical and horizontal response of tidal wetlands to projected changes in the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) across 14 estuaries along the Pacific coast of the continental United States. Throughout the U.S. Pacific region, we found that tidal wetlands are highly vulnerable to end-of-century submergence, with resulting
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Glen M. MacDonald, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Richard F. Ambrose, Kevin Buffington, Bruce D. Dugger, Chase M. Freeman, Christopher Janousek, Lauren N. Brown, Jordan A. Rosencranz, James Homquist, John P. Smol, Kathryn Hargan, John Y. Takekawa
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States

A key challenge for coastal resource managers is to plan and implement climate change adaptation strategies inlight of uncertainties and competing management priorities. In 2014, we held six workshops across estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America with over 150 participants to evaluate resource managers' perceived level of understanding of climate change science, where they obtain infor
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Deborah L. Elliott-Fisk, Chase M. Freeman, Thuy-Vy D. Bui, Katherine Powelson, Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, John Y. Takekawa
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Study Shows Sea Level Rise to Threaten West Coast Tidal Wetlands Over the Next 100 Years

Study Shows Sea Level Rise to Threaten West Coast Tidal Wetlands Over the Next 100 Years

The U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon State University released a report this week examining Pacific Northwest tidal wetland vulnerability to sea...

Read Article

Science and Products

link
Pacific coast wetlands

Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes

View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers
link

Webinar: Sea-Level Rise, El Niño, and Storm Effects on Coastal Tidal Marshes

View this webinar to learn how climate change may affect El Niño events and extreme storms on coastal wetlands.
Learn More
link
WERC Scientist conducting elevation surveys in a salt marsh

Coastal Ecosystem Response to Sea-level Rise

USGS WERC’s Dr. Karen Thorne, her team of reseachers, and her partners are currently taking a local site network approach to describe current and future conditions and projected responses of coastal ecosystems to sea-level rise and other stressors. The Coastal Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (CERCC) program’s goal is to understand how ecosystems vary in their ability to keep up with sea-level...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Species Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Coastal Ecosystem Response to Sea-level Rise

USGS WERC’s Dr. Karen Thorne, her team of reseachers, and her partners are currently taking a local site network approach to describe current and future conditions and projected responses of coastal ecosystems to sea-level rise and other stressors. The Coastal Ecosystem Response to Climate Change (CERCC) program’s goal is to understand how ecosystems vary in their ability to keep up with sea-level...
Learn More
link
WERC Marsh in China Camp

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Supporting Informed Responses to Sea-Level Rise

To facilitate communication and outreach of sea level rise research results and implications, Dr. Karen Thorne and members of USGS WERC are hosting in-person workshops along the Pacific coast at different sites in Washington, Oregon, and California.
Learn More
link
WERC technician deploying water level logger

Ecological Stressors - Rocky Coastlines, Mangroves, Marshes, Droughts, and Storms

Coastal estuaries that contain marshes and mangroves are currently being reshaped by changing ocean and atmospheric conditions through prolong drought, sea-level rise and increased extreme storm events. Many projected increases in sea-level are expected to result in loss of tidal wetlands and their component species. In addition, changing sediment loads, extreme tide and storm events, and shifting...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

Ecological Stressors - Rocky Coastlines, Mangroves, Marshes, Droughts, and Storms

Coastal estuaries that contain marshes and mangroves are currently being reshaped by changing ocean and atmospheric conditions through prolong drought, sea-level rise and increased extreme storm events. Many projected increases in sea-level are expected to result in loss of tidal wetlands and their component species. In addition, changing sediment loads, extreme tide and storm events, and shifting...
Learn More
link
WERC researcher conducting elevation surveys in San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Modeling Sea-Level Rise in San Francisco Bay Estuary

With sea level rise, how will the coastal habitats of the San Francisco Bay Estuary change over the next 100 years? Mapping and modeling studies by Dr. Karen Thorne, WERC scientists, and partners have produced scenarios for this important coastal ecosystem.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary
link

Modeling Sea-Level Rise in San Francisco Bay Estuary

With sea level rise, how will the coastal habitats of the San Francisco Bay Estuary change over the next 100 years? Mapping and modeling studies by Dr. Karen Thorne, WERC scientists, and partners have produced scenarios for this important coastal ecosystem.
Learn More
link
WERC Scientist conducting elevation surveys in a salt marsh

San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station

The San Francisco Bay Field Station is the center of studies on recovering tidal wetland ecosystems and ongoing efforts to balance the restoration of local marshes and the needs of seabirds. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this station and its research.
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
link

San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station

The San Francisco Bay Field Station is the center of studies on recovering tidal wetland ecosystems and ongoing efforts to balance the restoration of local marshes and the needs of seabirds. Click on the "Science" tab for a comprehensive summary of this station and its research.
Learn More

Waterfowl Brood Drone Surveys from Suisun, California 2019

Effective waterfowl management relies on the collection of relevant demographic data to inform land management decisions; however, some types of data are difficult to obtain. For waterfowl, brood surveys are difficult to conduct because wetland habitats often obscure ducklings from being visually assessed. Here, we used Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UAS) to assess what wetland habitat characteristics
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

UAS Whiskeytown

Raw aerial photography, orthorectified imagery, point cloud data, and digital elevation models (DEMs) for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (NRA) following the Carr Fire. Sites within the NRA include: Lower Crystal Creek, Tower House, Grizzly Gulch, Boulder Creek South Shore and Conifer, Brandy Creek Camp, Shasta Divide, Paige Bar (North, NEED Camp, East, and Southeast), Chinese Laundry, and Co
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Salt marsh monitoring during water years 2013 to 2019, Humboldt Bay, CA – water levels, surface deposition, elevation change, and carbon storage

This data release includes montorting data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Humboldt Bay Water Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. The datasets include continuous water levels collected at a 6-minute timestep collected in two study marshes (Mad River and Hookton). Surface deposition, elevation changes and carbon storage (in marsh edge environments) measured in five USGS study
By
California Water Science Center

Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii) juvenile and adult abundance across the known range, California, USA (2019)

These datasets provide information on total plant cover, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, and Antioch Dunes evening primrose (Oenothera deltoides subsp. howellii) abundance within grids across the subspecies' extant range in California. These data support the following publication: Jones, S.F., Kennedy, A., Freeman, C.M. et al. Intensity of grass invasion negatively correlated with p
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Pacific Northwest tidal marsh plant biomass from a 2017 greenhouse experiment with flooding and salinity manipulations

The sensitivity of tidal marshes to environmental changes that result from sea-level rise or drought conditions is uncertain. We used a controlled greenhouse experiment and factorial flooding x salinity treatments to explore the differential responses of three tidal marsh plant species. Each species exhibited unique responses, with negative responses to increased salinity and longer flooding, but
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Small mammal surveys from northern San Francisco Bay: 1998-2014

This datasets summarizes small mammal trapping efforts that USGS San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station has led, co-led, or supervised, to detect and monitor the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in the northern reaches of San Francisco Bay from 1998-2014. As the salt marsh harvest mouse is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, sensitive location
By
Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Filter Total Items: 14

A summary of water-quality and salt marsh monitoring, Humboldt Bay, California

This report summarizes data-collection activities associated with the U.S. Geological Survey Humboldt Bay Water-Quality and Salt Marsh Monitoring Project. This work was undertaken to gain a comprehensive understanding of water-quality conditions, salt marsh accretion processes, marsh-edge erosion, and soil-carbon storage in Humboldt Bay, California. Multiparameter sondes recorded water temperature
Authors
Jennifer A. Curtis, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Judith Z. Drexler
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, California Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Assessing small-mammal trapping design using spatially explicit capture recapture (SECR) modeling on long-term monitoring data

Few studies have evaluated the optimal sampling design for tracking small mammal population trends, especially for rare or difficult to detect species. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models present an advancement over non-spatial models by accounting for individual movement when estimating density. The salt marsh harvest mouse (SMHM; Reithrodontomys raviventris) is a federal and Calif
Authors
Chase M. Freeman, Laureen Barthman-Thompson, Robert C. Klinger, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Atmospheric river storm flooding influences tidal marsh elevation building processes

Disturbances are a key component of ecological processes in coastal ecosystems. Investigating factors that affect tidal marsh accretion and elevation change is important, largely due to accelerating sea-level rise and the ecological and economic value of wetlands. Sediment accumulation rates, elevation change, and flooding were examined at five marshes along a riverine-tidal gradient in the northe
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Scott Jones, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Christopher N. Janousek, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Land Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Climate change vulnerability assessment for the California coastal national monument—Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta units

Executive SummaryThe California Coastal National Monument protects islets, reefs, and rock outcropping habitats in six onshore units, including the Trinidad and Point Arena-Stornetta Units.The California Coastal National Monument provides crucial habitat for resident and migratory species of seabirds, marine mammals, and invertebrates, which includes several federally listed threatened and endange
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Kevin Buffington, Susan E.W. De La Cruz
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Intensity of grass invasion negatively correlated with population density and age structure of an endangered dune plant across its range

Invasive species are a global threat to ecosystem biodiversity and function; non-native grass invasion has been particularly problematic in sparsely vegetated ecosystems such as open dunes. Native plant population responses to invasion, however, are infrequently translated to landscape scales, limiting the effectiveness of these data for addressing conservation issues. We quantified population den
Authors
Scott Jones, Anna Kennedy, Chase M. Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Testing the interactive effects of flooding and salinity on tidal marsh plant productivity

Tidal wetlands support plant communities that facilitate carbon storage, accrete soil, and provide habitat for terrestrial and aquatic species. Climate change is likely to alter estuaries through sea-level rise and changing precipitation patterns, although the ecological responses are uncertain. We were interested in plant responses to physiological stress induced by elevated water salinity and fl
Authors
Kevin Buffington, Arianna C Goodman, Chase M. Freeman, Karen M. Thorne
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Habitat of the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) in San Francisco Bay

Understanding habitat associations is vital for conservation of at‐risk marsh‐endemic wildlife species, particularly those under threat from sea level rise. We modeled environmental and habitat associations of the marsh‐endemic, Federally endangered salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris, RERA) and co‐occurrence with eight associated small mammal species from annual trap data, 1998–
Authors
Bruce G. Marcot, Isa Woo, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Understanding tidal marsh trajectories: Evaluation of multiple indicators of marsh persistence

Robust assessments of ecosystem stability are critical for informing conservation and management decisions. Tidal marsh ecosystems provide vital services, yet are globally threatened by anthropogenic alterations to physical and biological processes. A variety of monitoring and modeling approaches have been undertaken to determine which tidal marshes are likely to persist into the future. Here, we
Authors
Kerstin Wasson, Neil K. Ganju, Zafer Defne, Charlie Endris, Tracy Elsey-Quirk, Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Daniel J. Nowacki, Kenneth B. Raposa
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Thin-layer sediment addition to an existing salt marsh to combat sea-level rise and improve endangered species habitat in California, USA

Current tidal marsh elevations and their accretion rates are important predictors of vulnerability to sea-level rise. When tidal marshes are at risk, adaptation measures, such as sediment addition to increase elevations, can be implemented to prevent degradation and loss. In 2016, wildlife managers prescribed a thin-layer sediment addition of locally sourced dredged material from Anaheim Bay to mi
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Chase M. Freeman, Jordan A. Rosencranz, Neil K. Ganju, Glenn R. Guntenspergen
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Natural Hazards Mission Area, Ecosystems Land Change Science Program, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Land Change Science Program, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

El Niño increases high‐tide flooding in tidal wetlands along the U.S. Pacific coast.

Periodic oscillations between El Niño and La Niña conditions in the Pacific Basin affect oceanographic and meteorological phenomena globally, with impacts on the abundance and distribution of marine species. However, El Niño effects on estuarine hydrology and tidal wetland processes have seldom been examined rigorously. We used detailed wetland elevation and local inundation data from 10 tidal wet
Authors
Arianna Goodman, Karen M. Thorne, Kevin Buffington, Chase M. Freeman, Christopher N. Janousek
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

U.S. Pacific coastal wetland resilience and vulnerability to sea-level rise

We used a first-of-its-kind comprehensive scenario approach to evaluate both the vertical and horizontal response of tidal wetlands to projected changes in the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) across 14 estuaries along the Pacific coast of the continental United States. Throughout the U.S. Pacific region, we found that tidal wetlands are highly vulnerable to end-of-century submergence, with resulting
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Glen M. MacDonald, Glenn R. Guntenspergen, Richard F. Ambrose, Kevin Buffington, Bruce D. Dugger, Chase M. Freeman, Christopher Janousek, Lauren N. Brown, Jordan A. Rosencranz, James Homquist, John P. Smol, Kathryn Hargan, John Y. Takekawa
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Are coastal managers ready for climate change? A case study from estuaries along the Pacific coast of the United States

A key challenge for coastal resource managers is to plan and implement climate change adaptation strategies inlight of uncertainties and competing management priorities. In 2014, we held six workshops across estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America with over 150 participants to evaluate resource managers' perceived level of understanding of climate change science, where they obtain infor
Authors
Karen M. Thorne, Deborah L. Elliott-Fisk, Chase M. Freeman, Thuy-Vy D. Bui, Katherine Powelson, Christopher Janousek, Kevin Buffington, John Y. Takekawa
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
Study Shows Sea Level Rise to Threaten West Coast Tidal Wetlands Over the Next 100 Years

Study Shows Sea Level Rise to Threaten West Coast Tidal Wetlands Over the Next 100 Years

The U.S. Geological Survey and Oregon State University released a report this week examining Pacific Northwest tidal wetland vulnerability to sea...

Read Article
Was this page helpful?