Marshes on the Margins
DEVELOPING TIDAL WETLANDS ADAPTATION
STRATEGIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The tidal wetlands of Southern California are some of the most threatened estuarine systems on the west coast.
The high urbanization of wetlands in Southern California places them under serious threat of habitat transformation and loss in the face of sea level rise. Further, these systems are highly understudied, particularly in regards to inlet dynamics.
This project identified how the dynamic estuarine systems of Southern California will be affected (physically and biologically) by sea level rise and determined how and where nature-based solutions can be used to provide resilience to those effects.
By building upon the Southern California Wetland Recovery Project’s collaborative structure, the project developed guidance and tools that will fill a crucial need in wetland management.
PROJECT TASKS
I. Identify vulnerability
Model, analyze and quantify the vulnerabilities and response of intermittently-open estuaries and tidal wetlands to sea level rise.
II. Develop natural & nature-based adaptation strategies
Identify and quantify opportunities for natural transition zone restoration and construction of nature-based features.
III. Implement tools at case-study sites
Implement and refine developed products by applying them to wetland systems.
IV. Stakeholder involvement
Leverage existing scientific, management and practitioner networks to gain input.
V. Project management & administrations
Efficiently manage the project to complete milestones & to collaborate among the project’s team.