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Threats to Marsh Resources and Mitigation
Citation:
Hansen, V. AND K. Reiss. Threats to Marsh Resources and Mitigation. Chapter 16, J. Ellis and D. Sherman (ed.), Coastal and Marine Hazards, Risks and Disasters. ELSEVIER, AMSTERDAM, Holland, , 467-494, (2015).
Impact/Purpose:
Review the major threats to salt marsh resources, elucidate the current causes of salt marsh loss and degradation and effects on ecosystem services, and to highlight new and innovative approaches to mitigation and restoration of salt marshes.
Description:
Salt marshes inhabit low-energy, intertidal shorelines worldwide and are among the most abundant and productive coastal ecosystems. Salt-marsh ecosystems provide a wide array of benefits to coastal populations, including shoreline protection, fishery support, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat provision, and carbon sequestration. Historically, the major threat to salt marshes was filling for agricultural fields or urban construction, which continues as coastlines develop today. In recognition of saltmarsh value and loss, more recent wetland management and conservation policies in many countries have led to the protection and restoration of salt-marsh habitats; however, salt-marsh area and condition continue to decline globally. Currently, the major threats to salt-marsh resources include climate-change effects, pollution, land use change, and invasive species. In this chapter, we review our current state of knowledge regarding the risks to salt marshes from these threats, their effects on ecosystem services, and restoration and management measures designed to protect salt marshes.
