ABSTRACT
Salt marshes have been severely impacted by clearance for land development and are being eroded from the ocean side by global sea level rise (Adam 2002; Silliman et al. 2009). The ecosystem is threatened in many places because, as sea level rises, coastal development prevents its migration inland. Essential habitat for birds, fishes, shellfish, the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) (ASMFC 2006), and many other organisms, and the ability of salt marsh mussels, and oysters to filter water and improve water quality have been greatly reduced. Loss of salt marshes leads to erosion. Jamaica Bay, New York City’s largest salt marsh, is steadily retreating as sea level rises (Hartig et al. 2002). The ability of salt marsh to keep pace with sea-level rise depends on the density and growth rate of the intertidal salt marsh grass, Spartina alterniflora (Morris et al. 2002; Morris 2007; Kirwan et al. 2010).
