Start Date
15-10-2014 8:00 AM
Description
Tidal freshwater wetlands are the interface between marine and terrestrial ecosystems; hence they are directly impacted by sea level rise and climate change (James & Callahan, 2012). Little is known about the hydro-ecological functions and ecosystem services provided by these important and widely-distributed ecosystems. These wetlands are common in the urbanizing landscape of the southeastern Atlantic coastal plain, as well as other coastal areas. Tidal fresh-water forested wetlands (TFFW) occur in floodplains situated near the coastal zone along freshwater rivers that are subject to tides. They are most prominent along the Southeastern Atlantic lower Coastal Plain, where it is estimated that 200,000 ha of TFFW exist. The majority of TFFW are concentrated along the coasts of the South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Maryland, with other areas along the Gulf coast and upper portions of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. South Carolina is considered to have the most land area, over 40,000 ha, due to the relatively large tide range and low topographic gradient. There is considerable uncertainty in the estimates of TFFW area, and inconsistent use of terminology complicates assessments of the resource.
Assessment of the Reach and Ecological Condition of Freshwater Tidal Creeks in the Lower Coastal Plain, Charleston County, South Carolina with Advanced Geospatial Technology Application
Tidal freshwater wetlands are the interface between marine and terrestrial ecosystems; hence they are directly impacted by sea level rise and climate change (James & Callahan, 2012). Little is known about the hydro-ecological functions and ecosystem services provided by these important and widely-distributed ecosystems. These wetlands are common in the urbanizing landscape of the southeastern Atlantic coastal plain, as well as other coastal areas. Tidal fresh-water forested wetlands (TFFW) occur in floodplains situated near the coastal zone along freshwater rivers that are subject to tides. They are most prominent along the Southeastern Atlantic lower Coastal Plain, where it is estimated that 200,000 ha of TFFW exist. The majority of TFFW are concentrated along the coasts of the South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia and Maryland, with other areas along the Gulf coast and upper portions of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. South Carolina is considered to have the most land area, over 40,000 ha, due to the relatively large tide range and low topographic gradient. There is considerable uncertainty in the estimates of TFFW area, and inconsistent use of terminology complicates assessments of the resource.
