Article
Environmental Sciences
Julia A. Guimond, Holly A. Michael
Summary: Research indicates that along topographically low coastlines vulnerable to storm surges, marsh migration into agricultural fields prolongs the use of inland fields while also protecting groundwater quality. However, yields are not maintained with migration widths over 400 m or surge height under 3.0 m above mean sea level.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
G. Rachid, I. Alameddine, M. El-Fadel
Summary: The study examines the status of saltwater intrusion in four data scarce coastal aquifers located along the Eastern Mediterranean, identifying drivers such as water cycle seasonality, water deficits, and changes in land use and land cover. The research suggests a synergistic effect between water deficits and urbanization on saltwater intrusion rates, and proposes site-specific measures for mitigating the impacts of land use, water demand, and deficits on the sustainable management of groundwater aquifers.
WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Water Resources
Ismail Abd-Elaty, Gehan A. H. Sallam, Lorenzo Pugliese, Abdelazim M. Negm, Salvatore Straface, Andrea Scozzari, Ashraf Ahmed
Summary: The study investigates the optimal location of rice cultivation in the coastal aquifer of Nile Delta, Egypt for mitigating seawater intrusion. Different recharging regions in the delta were subdivided and the SEAWAT code was simulated to understand the effects of rice cultivation relocation and sea level rise (SLR) on salt volume reduction. The findings indicate that rice cultivation in the northern region yields the highest reduction of salt volume (19%), while cultivation in the central and southern regions result in minimal reduction and an increase in salt volume, respectively. Taking into account SLR and rice cultivation in the northern region, a significant salt volume reduction of 17% is observed.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Zhang, Daniil Svyatsky, Joel C. Rowland, J. David Moulton, Zhendong Cao, Phillip J. Wolfram, Chonggang Xu, Donatella Pasqualini
Summary: Coastal marsh evolution plays a significant role in future coastal freshwater-saltwater interaction and should not be ignored when evaluating coastal saltwater intrusion under sea level rise.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Angelo Breda, Patricia M. Saco, Steven G. Sandi, Neil Saintilan, Gerardo Riccardi, Jose F. Rodriguez
Summary: The vulnerability of coastal wetlands to sea level rise is influenced by processes of vertical accretion and landward migration. Wetlands respond to these factors by trapping sediments and migrating to more preferred inundation conditions, with their responses depending on water flow and sediment distribution within the wetland. Neglecting these factors in wetland response analysis can lead to inaccurate estimates of wetland resilience.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yaping Chen, Matthew L. Kirwan
Summary: The rapid replacement of upland forest by encroaching marshland due to global sea-level rise is a significant challenge. In this study, the authors used Landsat images to develop a framework for monitoring coastal vegetation changes, enabling reliable identification of the coastal treeline and quantification of forest retreat rates. They also created regional land cover maps and analyzed trends over time.
REMOTE SENSING OF ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tianyuan Zheng, Shaobo Gao, Tao Liu, Qingsheng Meng, Xilai Zheng, Marc Walther, Chunhui Lu
Summary: Previous research on land reclamation's impact on seawater intrusion mainly focused on saltwater wedge modification and freshwater-saltwater interface dynamics. However, the effect of land reclamation on the discharge of pollutants like nitrate has been overlooked. This study uses field-scale simulations to reveal the influence of reclamation area and soil permeability on nitrate pollution and saltwater redistribution. It was found that land reclamation can cause significant redistribution based on the initial saltwater-freshwater interface and modify nitrate discharge, leading to drastic changes in subsurface nitrate distribution. The study also highlights the relationship between reclamation area, permeability, and variance. By considering both saltwater intrusion and nitrate enrichment, engineers can optimize their land reclamation strategies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Guiyao Xiong, Guangquan Chen, Jichun Wu, Tengfei Fu, Yun Yang, Xingyong Xu, Xiaobin Zhu, Hongjun Yu, Shengfa Liu, Maosheng Gao, Guohua Hou
Summary: The study in eastern Jiangsu, China revealed the evolution path of coastal groundwater from Ca-Na-HCO3-Cl to Na-Cl, impacted by land reclamation. The reclamation blocked groundwater exchange, restrained seawater intrusion, and led to the formation of a stable saltwater wedge deposition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guilherme Menten, Willian Melo, Jose Pinho, Isabel Iglesias, Jose Antunes do Carmo
Summary: This study used an analytical solution and the 2DH and 3D versions of the Delft3D numerical model to simulate the future climate change impacts on the Minho River estuary and its saline wedge length. The results showed an increase in the length of the saline intrusion in both models under the worst climate change scenario. The 3D model was found to be more accurate, but both models provided insights into the effects of saline intrusion.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Rachel Van Allen, Kathryn M. Schreiner, Glenn Guntenspergen, Joseph Carlin
Summary: This study reveals the changing organic geochemistry of marsh soils as marsh vegetation encroaches inland, with stable carbon isotope analysis and lignin analysis. The transition of organic matter sources in tidal marsh from upland to marsh vegetation types with sea-level rise is illustrated, providing a potential mechanism for organic matter stabilization as marshes migrate inland.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Eric A. Weingarten, Colin R. Jackson
Summary: As sea level rises, saltmarsh is overtaking coastal freshwater marsh in many areas. However, it is difficult to predict the changes in sediment microbiome caused by saltwater intrusion. This study found that the magnitude of increase in saltwater had a significant impact on sediment prokaryotic composition, while nutrient amendment had no observed effect.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessie Louisor, Olivier Brivois, Paloma Mouillon, Aurelie Maspataud, Patrice Belz, Jean-Michel Laloue
Summary: The study aims to assist local stakeholders in determining the best coastal management strategy for the Moeze marsh in order to adapt to sea level rise. By simulating coastal overflowing for different scenarios, it was found that the implementation of closed defenses does not significantly reduce flooding and land-use changes have an influence on flooding in the marsh.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe Shaw, Justus Jobe, Keryn B. Gedan
Summary: The study found that Phragmites australis is able to grow in low-light conditions in closed forest, despite preferring high light environments. By colonizing forest understory areas ahead of other salt-tolerant species, it is poised to be the dominant species during saltwater intrusion and forest retreat.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Water Resources
Ismail Abd-Elaty, Martina Zelenakova
Summary: This study focused on comparing methods for aquifer protection from saltwater intrusion in Gaza and the Nile Delta, using numerical groundwater models. The results showed that physical barriers and land fill methods were more effective in controlling SWI in shallow aquifers, while the hydraulic method had a positive effect on both shallow and deep aquifers.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2022)
Review
Geography, Physical
Carson B. Miller, Antonio B. Rodriguez, Molly C. Bost
Summary: Global saltmarsh area is decreasing due to natural and anthropogenic stressors, with storm events and sea-level rise playing a significant role in accelerating saltmarsh transgression rates. This study in North Carolina, U.S.A. reveals that stormy conditions and rapid sea-level rise can greatly increase saltmarsh transgression rates, and changes in upland surface elevation and peat thickness also contribute to observed disparities in transgression rates. Coupled processes of sea-level rise, subsidence, and storminess need to be considered in forecasts of saltmarsh response to climate change.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Clare E. Aslan, Mark W. Brunson, Benjamin A. Sikes, Rebecca S. Epanchin-Niell, Samuel Veloz, David M. Theobald, Brett G. Dickson
Summary: Human-induced ecological boundaries, or anthropogenic ecotones, may arise where administrative boundaries meet on undeveloped lands. The fragmentation of management units can result in discernible ecological differences and disrupt ecological flows. Cross-boundary collaboration is essential for ecological connectivity, especially in the face of environmental and social change.
Article
Ecology
Melissa J. Welsh, James A. Turner, Rebecca S. Epanchin-Niell, Juan J. Monge, Tarek Soliman, Andrew P. Robinson, John M. Kean, Craig Phillips, Lloyd D. Stringer, Jessica Vereijssen, Andrew M. Liebhold, Tom Kompas, Michael Ormsby, Eckehard G. Brockerhoff
Summary: Nonnative plant pests cause significant economic losses, and interventions include pathway risk management, surveillance and eradication, and management of established pests. The choice of economic approach depends on the goals of the analysis and the available resources.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe Shaw, Justus Jobe, Keryn B. Gedan
Summary: The study found that Phragmites australis is able to grow in low-light conditions in closed forest, despite preferring high light environments. By colonizing forest understory areas ahead of other salt-tolerant species, it is poised to be the dominant species during saltwater intrusion and forest retreat.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Correction
Environmental Sciences
Phoebe Shaw, Justus Jobe, Keryn B. Gedan
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Jieyi Lu, Alexandra Thompson, Patrick C. Tobin, David R. Gray, Andrew M. Liebhold
Summary: Geographical variation in the likelihood of biological invasions is influenced by propagule pressure and habitat suitability driven by ecological and social processes. By using eradication programs as proxies for new establishment events, it was found that socio-environmental factors such as human population size, climate, and availability of host trees significantly affect the probability of L. dispar arrival and establishment.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ezra J. Kottler, Keryn B. Gedan
Summary: Climate change is threatening the conservation of foundation species and their habitats, and this study focuses on the impacts of light limitation on the flowering capacity of the clonal marsh grass Spartina patens. It finds that flowering is consistently reduced in low light conditions, which may limit the potential for local adaptation and reduce genetic diversity. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms and trade-offs between sexual and clonal reproduction.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Man Qi, Niv DeMalach, Yueping Dong, Hailin Zhang, Tao Sun
Summary: Resource competition theory predicts coexistence and exclusion patterns, but in reality, systems often exhibit preemption exploitation. This study found that under preemption conditions, an R*-preemption trade-off is necessary for species coexistence, and under total preemption, the trade-off alone is sufficient. However, under partial preemption, additional conditions are required for coexistence.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Justus Jobe, Cairn Krafft, Mikaila Milton, Keryn Gedan
Summary: The experimental results demonstrate that geese have strong effects on plant cover and species diversity in restored urban wetlands. The presence of geese inhibits plant establishment and suppresses plant diversity, particularly of annual species. Therefore, protecting wetlands from goose disturbance is a crucial management activity that determines the composition and long-term persistence of vegetation. The reduction of non-migratory goose populations supports greater wetland plant diversity.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jaime Ashander, Kailin Kroetzt, Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Nicholas B. D. Phelps, Robert G. Haight, Laura E. Dee
Summary: Using network metrics to guide management can effectively address the challenges of biological invasions. The study evaluates the performance of network-guided invasive species management compared to optimal management and finds that the network-guided approach achieves high performance, even with incomplete information. This research highlights the potential of network approaches for sustainable resource management.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Rachel A. Steward, Rebecca S. Epanchin-Niell, Carol L. Boggs
Summary: Introductions of novel plant species can disrupt the resource environment of herbivorous insects, leading to selection for or against the novel host. This study on Pieris macdunnoughii butterflies in the Rocky Mountains found evidence of sex-linked genetic variation in host preference, contrary to previous predictions. The study also suggested that chemicals might not be the primary driver for female choice of host plants.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Giovanna Nordio, Ryan Frederiks, Mary Hingst, Joel Carr, Matt Kirwan, Keryn Gedan, Holly Michael, Sergio Fagherazzi
Summary: Recent studies have mostly focused on the impact of large tropical cyclones on shorelines, disregarding the effects of less intense but more frequent events. This study analyzes the influence of offshore tropical storm Melissa on groundwater along the North America Atlantic coast. The findings show that Melissa led to a significant increase in groundwater level and specific conductivity, with a longer recovery time for conductivity. The study suggests that the increasing frequency of moderate storms will have a significant ecological impact on vegetated shorelines.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Alexander J. Smith, Karen McGlathery, Yaping Chen, Carolyn J. Ewers Lewis, Scott C. Doney, Keryn Gedan, Carly K. LaRoche, Peter Berg, Michael L. Pace, Julie C. Zinnert, Matthew L. Kirwan
Summary: Coastal landscapes consist of shifting mosaics of distinct ecosystems, and rapid losses and gains within these ecosystems largely offset each other, resulting in relatively stable areas and increased carbon storage. However, the strength of these compensatory mechanisms may weaken as climate change exacerbates carbon losses.
Article
Plant Sciences
Caitlin DiCara, Keryn Gedan
Summary: Species-specific variation in response to stress is investigated in this study to determine how salinity intensity, duration, and their interaction affect survival and performance of coastal plants. The results show that salinity intensity best explains survival patterns in glycophytic species, while the interaction between intensity and duration is a better predictor for halophytic species. Biomass and chlorophyll production are mostly explained by the interaction between intensity and duration. There is interspecific variability in the response magnitude, with some glycophytic species showing a more negative biomass response. Prolonged stress duration exacerbates the negative effect of salinity intensity on biomass in most species, but two species exhibit a compensatory response in chlorophyll production. The regression coefficient of salinity intensity versus biomass at the highest stress duration is identified as a useful indicator of salinity tolerance. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering the independent and interactive effects of salinity intensity and duration on species' response to stress.
Correction
Biodiversity Conservation
Justus Jobe, Cairn Krafft, Mikaila Milton, Keryn Gedan
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Pinki Mondal, Matthew Walter, Jarrod Miller, Rebecca Epanchin-Niell, Keryn Gedan, Vishruta Yawatkar, Elizabeth Nguyen, Katherine L. L. Tully
Summary: Saltwater intrusion can have a detrimental impact on coastal farmlands, rendering them unsuitable for agricultural activities. This study develops a high-resolution dataset showing the extent of salt-impacted lands and reveals that the visible salt patches have nearly doubled between 2011 and 2017. The economic losses in at-risk farmlands surrounding salt patches are estimated to range between US$39.4 million and US$107.5 million annually.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
