Mangrove Forest Responses to Sea-Level Rise in the Greater Everglades
USGS researchers will utilize long-term soil elevation change data to help advance understanding of soil elevation dynamics and ecological transformations due to climate change within coastal wetlands of the Greater Everglades.
![Mangrove forest in Everglades National Park](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/OSLAND-00358_redmangrove_v1-2501.jpg?itok=PpJRnHA-)
The Science Issue and Relevance: By the end of the 21st century, sea-level rise is expected to have a harmful and transformative impact on wetland ecosystems in the Greater Everglades. Wetlands in the region provide many critical ecosystem goods and services. In addition to supporting fish and wildlife habitat, these ecosystems protect coastlines, store carbon, provide clean water, modulate hydrologic regimes, and provide recreational opportunities. Resource managers are increasingly challenged to develop future-focused management strategies that will help ensure that these ecosystem goods and services are available for future generations. Such strategies depend upon knowledge of the processes that govern ecosystem responses to sea-level rise. The objective of this research is to improve our understanding of the responses of mangrove ecosystems in the Greater Everglades to climate change (e.g., accelerating sea-level rise and hurricane intensification).
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: Our efforts focus primarily on long-term soil elevation change data collected from surface elevation table-marker horizon (SET-MH) stations at mangrove forests within Everglades National Park. These data span two decades and are some of the oldest and most continuously monitored SET-MH data in the world.
Future Steps: This project will help advance understanding of soil elevation dynamics and ecological transformations due to climate change (i.e., accelerating sea-level rise and hurricane intensification) within coastal wetlands of the Greater Everglades.
![surface elevation table-marker horizon sites](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/media/images/Osland_study%20map.jpg?itok=WB4ke3q2)
The long-term effects of Hurricanes Wilma and Irma on soil elevation change in Everglades mangrove forests
Winter climate change and the poleward range expansion of a tropical invasive tree (Brazilian pepper ‐ Shinus terebinthifolius)
Temperature thresholds for black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) freeze damage, mortality, and recovery in North America: Refining tipping points for range expansion in a warming climate
Microclimate influences mangrove freeze damage: Implications for range expansion in response to changing macroclimate
Mangrove forests in a rapidly changing world: Global change impacts and conservation opportunities along the Gulf of Mexico coast
Sensitivity of mangrove range limits to climate variability
Tropical wetlands in the Anthropocene: The critical role of wet-dry cycles
Climate and plant controls on soil organic matter in coastal wetlands
Coastal wetland adaptation to sea level rise: Quantifying potential for landward migration and coastal squeeze
Linear and nonlinear effects of temperature and precipitation on ecosystem properties in tidal saline wetlands
Assessing coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast: Gaps and opportunities for developing a coordinated regional sampling network
Created mangrove wetlands store belowground carbon and surface elevation change enables them to adjust to sea-level rise
USGS researchers will utilize long-term soil elevation change data to help advance understanding of soil elevation dynamics and ecological transformations due to climate change within coastal wetlands of the Greater Everglades.
![Mangrove forest in Everglades National Park](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/side_image/public/media/images/OSLAND-00358_redmangrove_v1-2501.jpg?itok=PpJRnHA-)
The Science Issue and Relevance: By the end of the 21st century, sea-level rise is expected to have a harmful and transformative impact on wetland ecosystems in the Greater Everglades. Wetlands in the region provide many critical ecosystem goods and services. In addition to supporting fish and wildlife habitat, these ecosystems protect coastlines, store carbon, provide clean water, modulate hydrologic regimes, and provide recreational opportunities. Resource managers are increasingly challenged to develop future-focused management strategies that will help ensure that these ecosystem goods and services are available for future generations. Such strategies depend upon knowledge of the processes that govern ecosystem responses to sea-level rise. The objective of this research is to improve our understanding of the responses of mangrove ecosystems in the Greater Everglades to climate change (e.g., accelerating sea-level rise and hurricane intensification).
Methodology for Addressing the Issue: Our efforts focus primarily on long-term soil elevation change data collected from surface elevation table-marker horizon (SET-MH) stations at mangrove forests within Everglades National Park. These data span two decades and are some of the oldest and most continuously monitored SET-MH data in the world.
Future Steps: This project will help advance understanding of soil elevation dynamics and ecological transformations due to climate change (i.e., accelerating sea-level rise and hurricane intensification) within coastal wetlands of the Greater Everglades.
![surface elevation table-marker horizon sites](https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/s3fs-public/styles/half_width/public/media/images/Osland_study%20map.jpg?itok=WB4ke3q2)