Geologic and human factors in the decline of the tidal salt marsh lithosome: the Delaware estuary and Atlantic coastal zone

摘要: Abstract Two to three thousand years ago, the fringing tidal salt marsh wetlands (including brackish and freshwater marsh) of Delaware coastal zone were four times wider than at present. Observed variations in rates surface aggradation suggest that some areas are undergoing inundation whereas many other greater sea-level rise as measured by a local gauge (average 33 cm/ century based on 70-year record) may be floral succession. Accompanying these sedimentary processes erosion up 6.9 m/yr along estuary, 2.8 Atlantic coast, ranging from 0.1 0.6 lagoons. Human development has destroyed nearly 9% Delaware's marshes between 1938 1975. The rapidly growing trend toward hardening edge adjacent landward uplands leads us conclusion much will disappear over next two centuries with only small remnants declining extinction ca. 1500–1700 into future. Impacts State Delaware, comprised 13% 1/4 profound terms destruction large segment or eastern North American migratory bird flyway, an eventual forced accommodation inhabitants naturally ongoing geological processes.