Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU Research Grant

The high winds and unprecedented storm surge associated with Hurricane Sandy impacted coastal wetlands along the entire Atlantic seaboard from Florida to Canada to varying degrees. A broad geographical approach is needed to evaluate marsh impacts along environmental gradients and geomorphic settings. The evaluation of hurricane sandy impacts should also be used to provide insights on impacts of infrequent large disturbances in a world where these disturbances are projected to become more frequent and powerful. Products should include evaluations of current coastal marsh impacts and condition, and projections of how a storm like Sandy can affect marsh vulnerability to future sea-level rise and storm surge. This work should inform preliminary development of a coastal wetland monitoring program that could assess the resiliency of wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise.