NEWS: Coastal wetlands are unable to adapt to the rate of sea-level rise and are constrained by infrastructure

Wetlands, precious ecosystems that shield coastlines, safeguard drinking water from saltwater contamination, and nourish diverse wildlife, face a dire threat from the accelerating pace of sea-level rise, driven by global warming. Wetlands have historically adapted to rising sea levels by expanding upward and inland. However, predictions indicate that the waterline will soon shift far too rapidly for wetlands to keep pace. Consequently, future decades may witness the tragic loss of these vital wetland ecosystems.

Wetlands along coastlines have historically played valuable roles for people and wildlife, but are now facing the threat of sea-level rise. As temperatures rise, sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and wetlands are unable to keep pace by building upward and migrating inland. This is due to human-induced climate change and the burning of fossil fuels, which has warmed the oceans and melted glaciers. Sea levels are now rising at about 10 millimeters per year, and are expected to continue accelerating.

This is significantly faster than the rate of wetland migration, which is measured in meters to tens of meters per year. As a result, wetland loss is likely to be higher than previously predicted, even under ambitious scenarios for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. To protect coastal wetlands, land managers can implement programs to acquire or create conservation corridors, remove human-built structures that prevent wetland migration, and restore freshwater flow in areas that have been drained for agriculture and flood control.

The full hardhatNEWS article was published on The Conversation

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