Quantifying hydrologic controls on local- and landscape-scale indicators of coastal wetland loss.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Coastal wetlands have evolved to withstand stressful abiotic conditions through the maintenance of hydrologic feedbacks between vegetation production and flooding. However, disruption of these feedbacks can lead to ecosystem collapse, or a regime shift from vegetated wetland to open water. To prevent the loss of critical coastal wetland habitat, we must improve understanding of the abiotic-biotic linkages among flooding and wetland stability. The aim of this research was to identify characteristic landscape patterns and thresholds of wetland degradation that can be used to identify areas of vulnerability, reduce flooding threats and improve habitat quality.

Methods

We measured local- and landscape-scale responses of coastal wetland vegetation to flooding

SUBMITTER: Stagg CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7442328 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature