SETr: Developing Tools and Visualizations to Track Changes in Wetland Surface Elevation - NERRS/NSC(NERRS Science Collaborative)

The reserve system has identified a need to increase its collective capacity to process and synthesize Surface Elevation Table data and to create visualizations and educational tools for scientists, managers, and the public. This project addresses these needs by developing standardized tools to quality-check Surface Elevation Table data, perform trend analyses, and generate informative visualizations for a variety of technical and non-technical audiences. The team’s collaborative approach to developing statistical methods and outreach products will build both technical expertise and broader understanding of how the data can be used to better understand how sea level rise is impacting marshes.

Coastal marshes provide a range of valuable ecosystem services, including buffering coastlines from storms, improving water quality, and providing habitat to a wide range of organisms. However, marshes are increasingly under threat from sea level rise, and coastal managers are struggling to understand if different marsh plant communities can keep pace, or are likely to drown with the rising seas. To better understand the local impacts of climate change, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System expanded their long term monitoring efforts to include a Sentinel Site Application Module. A centerpiece of the Sentinel Site program is the use of highly specialized equipment—called Surface Elevation Tables, or SETs—to precisely measure and track changes to the marsh surface height over time. However, handling, analyzing, and interpreting Surface Elevation Table data is challenging and requires skills and statistical techniques that have not been standardized.

Project Lead

Kim Cressman

Grand Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve

(228) 523-4193

Kimberly.Cressman@dmr.ms.gov

Project Type

Catalyst – Targeted investment for

advancing collaborative science

Project Partners

• Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Virginia

• Delaware National Estuarine

Research Reserve

• Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine

Research Reserve, California

• Grand Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Mississippi

• Mission-Aransas National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Texas

• Padilla Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Washington

• South Slough National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Oregon

• Waquoit Bay National Estuarine

Research Reserve, Massachusetts

The distributor does not assume liability.

None

Cite this dataset when used as a source: NOAA retains the right to analyze, synthesize and publish summaries of the NERRS/NSC data. The NERRS/NSC retains the right to be fully credited for having collected and process the data. Following academic courtesy standards, the NERR site where the data were collected should be contacted and fully acknowledged in any subsequent publications in which any part of the data are used. The data enclosed within this package/transmission are only as accurate as the quality assurance and quality control procedures that are described in the associated metadata reporting statement allow. The user bears all responsibility for its subsequent use/misuse in any further analyses or comparisons. The Federal government does not assume liability to the Recipient or third persons, nor will the Federal government reimburse or indemnify the Recipient for its liability due to any losses resulting in any way from the use of this data. Requested citation format: NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative(NSC).