Coastal Marsh Restoration in the Mid-Atlantic: Aligning Habitat Objectives to Maximize Project Benefits

Tidal Wetlands Are a Seafood Powerhouse

Estuariesare some of the most ecologically productive ecosystems in the world. They support diverse coastal economies, tourism and recreation, marine transportation and construction, and fisheries. Many commercial and recreationally important fish use coastal wetlands as habitat for at least part of their lives.

But these marshes face challenges, some driven or amplified by human activities. For example, ditches created in the marsh for mosquito control or agriculture have been shown to diminish the health oftidal marsh vegetation.Tidal constrictions, such as culverts or tide gates, can also restrict the natural flooding cycle necessary to support a healthy marsh. Finally, sea-level rise is and will continue to drive loss and degradation of substantial areas of coastal marsh.

Addressing Threats Through Holistic Planning

NOAAis working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners to address these challenges. We have developed a guidance documentfocused on coastal marsh restoration in the mid-Atlantic region. It highlights our common goals, provides guidance for partners, and addresses some potential issues of concern. It marks a step forward toward scaling up effective coastal marsh restoration in the face of many challenges. We recognize that an integrated approach, prioritizing overall ecosystem function above species-specific needs, is the best way to ensure coastal marsh persistence in light of an uncertain future.

We are also developing marsh restoration techniques, including:

• Runnellingand ditch remediation to enhance drainage from ponded areas
• Restoring marsh hydrology through the removal of tide barriers
• Eradicating invasive species
• Adding sediment to increase elevation

In some cases, these methods present near-term benefits for fish by improving the health of their regularly flooded low marsh habitat. Other approaches, such as the application of thick layers of sediment, can cause significant near-term disturbances. They require careful planning to ensure that the planned future benefits do not come at the expense of existing marsh function.

How we address these challenges is up to a broad community of land managers, tribal partners, and resource and regulatory agencies. Project proponents may have specific goals, such as reducing localized flooding or creating habitat for a certain group of species. All restoration projects benefit from an approach that considers both current and future ecosystem services provided by the marsh in question. By encouraging this holistic approach, we intend to mark a step forward to more aligned and efficient restoration efforts in our valuable tidal habitats.

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