Officials to Consider Vulnerability of New England Salt Marshes

PORTSMOUTH, NH – There is compelling evidence that New England coastal ecosystems face mounting challenges from pervasive anthropogenic stressors.

Sea level rise, in particular, degrades salt marsh by altering hydrology, salinity regimes and erosive forces.

Southern New England salt marshes are among the most vulnerable in the country; a review and assessment of ecological response and resilience mechanisms of these important ecosystems is timely and critical to their future.

To build capacity for improved conservation and to guide more effective management and adaptation strategies for New England salt marshes, the New England National Estuarine Research Reserves will host a regional workshop in conjunction with the New England Estuarine Research Society’s 2018 spring meeting.

Participants will discuss the impacts of sea level rise on salt marshes and explore steps to sustain their capacity to adapt and maintain resilience in the context of inevitable change.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, April 26^th in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.