Project Description

This project examined how sea level rise (SLR) - induced shifts in vegetation mediate ecosystem service provision by LIS coastal wetlands.  Specifically, the project: 1) quantified the delivery of ecosystem services associated with dominant tidal wetland plant species of the LIS; 2) examined impacts of SLR and interactions; 3) forecasted how shifts in dominant tidal wetland species will alter ecosystem service provision of LIS coastal wetlands; and 4) promoted understanding of the complex interactions among SLR, coastal wetlands, and ecosystem services among diverse audiences in the LIS region.

Products

May 2017 Product: Lawrence CIRCA Poster May 2017

Lawrence Final Matching Funds Sea Grant Report

Additional publications:

• Barry, A., ^*Ooi, S.K., Steven, B., Elphick, C., Helton, A., Lawrence, BA. 2021.Vegetation zonation predicts salt marsh carbon mineralization and microbial communities in southern New England salt marshes. Estuaries and Coasts https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-021-00943-0
• Granville, K., ^*Ooi, S.K., Koenig, L.E, Lawrence, BA, Elphick, C., Helton, A.M. 2021. Seasonal patterns of denitrification and N₂O production in a southern New England salt marsh. Wetlands 41, 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-021-01393-x
• Cambrial, C, Lawrence, BA, Williams, K. 2020. Teaching module: Impacts of climate change on Long Island Sound salt marshes https://climate.uconn.edu/tools-assistance/teachers/Lawrence Final Matching Funds Sea Grant Report

Researchers and Staff Supported on Project

• Beth Lawrence, UConn Natural Resources and the Environment (Project Lead)
• Christopher Elphick, UConn Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Ashley Helton, UConn Natural Resources and the Environment

Primary Funding

Long Island Sound Study – CT Sea Grant