07 - Ghost Forest Development and Salt Marsh Transgression in Southeast Virginia: A Chronosequence Approach
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Sea level rise is resulting in ghost forest development and salt marsh transgression into coastal forests. The ability to study this phenomenon is commonly challenged by long-term data collection but can be partially resolved through a chronosequence approach. In our study we examined adjacent low-lying islands in southeastern Virginia's Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area with a focus on marsh and forest plant communities and tidal position. This study shows distinct zones and ecotones of plant communities along elevation gradients as we compared early and late transitional patches. This study showcases the multiple stages of coastal transgression particularly examining tree health and soil metrics and has the potential to inform management. In the highly degraded patch, the majority of the trees were dead, deteriorated, and were located at a lower elevation whereas in the more intact island the majority of trees were healthier with some dead trees despite being located at a higher elevation. The organic matter percentage in the degraded site's remanent forest, high marsh, and Juncus marsh were low due to the island’s low elevation and excessive flooding. This initial assessment of these coastal forests and adjacent salt marshes provides critical information to the impacts of sea level rise on coastal habitats.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Erik Yando
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Biological Sciences
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology
07 - Ghost Forest Development and Salt Marsh Transgression in Southeast Virginia: A Chronosequence Approach
Sea level rise is resulting in ghost forest development and salt marsh transgression into coastal forests. The ability to study this phenomenon is commonly challenged by long-term data collection but can be partially resolved through a chronosequence approach. In our study we examined adjacent low-lying islands in southeastern Virginia's Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area with a focus on marsh and forest plant communities and tidal position. This study shows distinct zones and ecotones of plant communities along elevation gradients as we compared early and late transitional patches. This study showcases the multiple stages of coastal transgression particularly examining tree health and soil metrics and has the potential to inform management. In the highly degraded patch, the majority of the trees were dead, deteriorated, and were located at a lower elevation whereas in the more intact island the majority of trees were healthier with some dead trees despite being located at a higher elevation. The organic matter percentage in the degraded site's remanent forest, high marsh, and Juncus marsh were low due to the island’s low elevation and excessive flooding. This initial assessment of these coastal forests and adjacent salt marshes provides critical information to the impacts of sea level rise on coastal habitats.