Coastal marshes more resilient to sea-level rise than previously believed
Friday, December 18, 2015 - 22:30
in Earth & Climate
Rising seas threaten coastal marshes worldwide. But a new study finds marshes are more resilient than previously believed. Elevated levels of atmospheric CO2 boost plant biomass production, allowing marshes to trap more sediment and generate more organic soil. This may elevate the threshold rate of relative sea-level rise at which marsh drowning is initiated by up to 60 percent and partially offset the effects of reduced sediment delivery and accelerating sea-level rise.