Climate Change, Rising Sea Level and the Fate of Coastal Wetlands
Author(s)
Alkaff, Huda F.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
Coastal wetlands provide numerous ecological
functions and protect urban areas from saltwater intrusion and
storm surge. These areas occur at the land-sea interface and are
strongly influenced by changing sea-level. Hence, it is of interest
to characterize the effects of sea-level rise anticipated to
accompany global climate change in the next century. I used a
geographic information system (GIS) to define the impacts of sealevel
rise on coastal wetlands. This paper presents an analysis of
perimeter and interior wetland loss and/or gain of the Sapelo
Island complex due to sea-level rise, river deposition and land
erosion, during the period from 1920 to 1993. Results indicate
significant perimeter and interior changes (loss and/or gain) in the
coastal wetlands of the Sapelo Island complex. This study is a
prerequisite for the quantification and prediction of responses of
coastal wetlands to sea-level rise.
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date
1997-03
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings