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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

How Old Are Marshes On The East Coast, Usa? Complex Patterns In Wetland Age Within And Among Regions, Anna E. Braswell, James B. Heffernan, Matthew L. Kirwan Oct 2020

How Old Are Marshes On The East Coast, Usa? Complex Patterns In Wetland Age Within And Among Regions, Anna E. Braswell, James B. Heffernan, Matthew L. Kirwan

VIMS Articles

Sea‐level dynamics, sediment availability, and marine energy are critical drivers of coastal wetland formation and persistence, but their roles as continental‐scale drivers remain unknown. We evaluated the timing and spatial variability of wetland formation from new and existing cores collected along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Most basal peat ages occurred after sea‐level rise slowed (after ~4,000 years before present), but predominance of sea‐level rise studies may skew age estimates toward older sites. Near‐coastal sites tended to be younger, indicating creation of wetlands through basin infilling and overwash events. Age distributions differed among regions, with younger …


Embracing Dynamic Design For Climate-Resilient Living Shorelines, Molly Mitchell, Donna M. Bilkovic Jan 2019

Embracing Dynamic Design For Climate-Resilient Living Shorelines, Molly Mitchell, Donna M. Bilkovic

VIMS Articles

As natural marshes are lost to erosion, sea level rise, and human activity, small created marshes, (sometimes with ancillary stabilization structures, and frequently called living shorelines) have gained interest as a replacement habitat; providing both shoreline stabilization and restoration of important ecological functions. These living shorelines enhance ecological function while reducing erosion through the use of marsh plants (Table 1). In all but the lowest energy settings, oyster reefs, low rock structures, or other stabilizing material are frequently used to enhance marsh establishment. Due to their ability to stabilize the shoreline with minimal impact to the ecology, living shorelines are …


Investigation Of Pattern Formation In Marine Environments Through Mathematical Modeling And Analysis Of Remotely Sensed Data, Sofya Zaytseva Jan 2019

Investigation Of Pattern Formation In Marine Environments Through Mathematical Modeling And Analysis Of Remotely Sensed Data, Sofya Zaytseva

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Pattern formation in ecological systems refers to a nonuniform distribution of animal and plant species across a landscape. Pattern formation can be observed in many aquatic and terrestrial systems and can provide important insights into their dynamics and ability to cope with environmental changes. In this dissertation, we focus on pattern formation in tidal marshes and oyster reefs, two important habitats that provide a number of essential ecosystem services. Both of these systems have also experienced dramatic losses, prompting much research to investigate their dynamics as and viable restoration and management strategies. The first part of this dissertation focuses on …


Development Of A Tidal Wetland Inventory And Assessment For York River, Virginia Watershed, Center For Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute Of Marine Science Apr 2006

Development Of A Tidal Wetland Inventory And Assessment For York River, Virginia Watershed, Center For Coastal Resources Management, Virginia Institute Of Marine Science

Reports

As part of the Chesapeake 2000 agreement, the Commonwealth of Virginia pledged to a wetland policy of no net-loss. Through conscientious resource protection and management, Virginia’s non-tidal and tidal wetland permit programs, administered by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) respectfully, are committed to reaching this goal. In order to assist these agencies in realizing no-net loss of wetlands, the availability of baseline data is essential in defining our existing resources and is the basis from which future status and trends can be evaluated along with the effectiveness of permitting and management …