[PCA] ARTICLE: New USGS-Led Study Could Help Pacific Wetlands Adapt to Sea Level Rise

[Prescott, Leah]

*SAN FRANCISCO BAY, Calif. — A new study published Wednesday in Science
Advances introduces an innovative tool to help resource managers preserve
Pacific coastal wetlands from rising sea levels. According to the article
<http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/2/eaao3270>, even the lowest
predicted rates of sea level rise could cause significant losses of Pacific
tidal wetlands by the end of the century. Tidal wetlands provide many
services for growing coastal communities. Their habitats filter water,
sequester carbon, provide habitat for endangered species, protect
communities from storm surges, and support local fisheries. To measure the
vulnerability of these environments to sea level rise, researchers from the
U.S. Geological Survey, University of California, Los Angeles, Oregon State
University, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and Queen’s
University led a comprehensive study along the Pacific coast.  “This study
is powerful because it brings together data from multiple experts to
predict how different rates of sea level rise could affect tidal wetland
habitats across the Pacific coast. It’s unique because it takes modeling
results and translates them into possible scenarios for resource managers
to evaluate and take action with,” says Dr. Karen Thorne, a USGS research
ecologist and the paper’s lead author. NOTABLY: "Efforts to restore
wetlands affected by human development may promote long-term marsh
persistence and could mitigate the loss of important habitats in wetlands
with higher initial elevations, high sediment supply or space to migrate
upland." Full article:
https://nccwsc.usgs.gov/content/new-usgs-led-study-could-help-pacific-wetlands-adapt-sea-level-rise
<https://nccwsc.usgs.gov/content/new-usgs-led-study-could-help-pacific-wetlands-adapt-sea-level-rise>*

-- 
Leah Prescott
Bureau of Land Management
Plant Conservation Program Data Coordinator
202-912-7232

National Seed Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/national-seed-strategy>
Plant Conservation Alliance <http://www.plantconservationalliance.org/>
Seeds of Success
<https://www.blm.gov/programs/natural-resources/native-plant-communities/native-plant-and-seed-material-development/collection>
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