Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands
Salt marshes are declining due to the dual pressures of coastal erosion and land reclamation. However, there remains a lack of quantitative analysis regarding this reduction process and its driving mechanisms. This study examines the dynamics and influencing factors of salt marsh vegetation along th...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/17 |
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| author | Guangzhi Zhang Jiali Gu Hao Hu Maoming Sun Jie Shao Weiliang Dong Liang Liang Jian Zeng |
| author_facet | Guangzhi Zhang Jiali Gu Hao Hu Maoming Sun Jie Shao Weiliang Dong Liang Liang Jian Zeng |
| author_sort | Guangzhi Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Salt marshes are declining due to the dual pressures of coastal erosion and land reclamation. However, there remains a lack of quantitative analysis regarding this reduction process and its driving mechanisms. This study examines the dynamics and influencing factors of salt marsh vegetation along the eroding coastline of Sheyang County, Jiangsu Province, China, between 1985 and 2020, using remote sensing to analyze changes in artificial coastlines, water boundaries, vegetation front edge, and its topography. Our results showed an extensive seaward movement of artificial coastlines due to reclamation, coupled with severe reductions in salt marsh area and width. Coastal erosion further caused a 10.5% decline in vegetation elevation and a 46.7% increase in slope steepness, amplifying vulnerability to wave action. Native species were largely replaced by <i>Spartina alterniflora</i>, reducing ecological diversity. Currently, human pressure on the landward side has been alleviated; thus, addressing coastal erosion is vital to preventing the further loss of salt marshes. Sediment retention engineering and native vegetation restoration efforts can gradually facilitate the recovery of salt marshes. This study provided critical insights for sustainable coastal management under bidirectional pressures. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7dbddab2422a413a9a235e763e757cf3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-7dbddab2422a413a9a235e763e757cf32025-01-24T13:36:33ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122024-12-011311710.3390/jmse13010017Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh WetlandsGuangzhi Zhang0Jiali Gu1Hao Hu2Maoming Sun3Jie Shao4Weiliang Dong5Liang Liang6Jian Zeng7Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaInstitute of Digital Agriculture, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaZhejiang Institute of Hydraulics & Estuary, Zhejiang Institute of Marine Planning and Design, Hangzhou 310020, ChinaSalt marshes are declining due to the dual pressures of coastal erosion and land reclamation. However, there remains a lack of quantitative analysis regarding this reduction process and its driving mechanisms. This study examines the dynamics and influencing factors of salt marsh vegetation along the eroding coastline of Sheyang County, Jiangsu Province, China, between 1985 and 2020, using remote sensing to analyze changes in artificial coastlines, water boundaries, vegetation front edge, and its topography. Our results showed an extensive seaward movement of artificial coastlines due to reclamation, coupled with severe reductions in salt marsh area and width. Coastal erosion further caused a 10.5% decline in vegetation elevation and a 46.7% increase in slope steepness, amplifying vulnerability to wave action. Native species were largely replaced by <i>Spartina alterniflora</i>, reducing ecological diversity. Currently, human pressure on the landward side has been alleviated; thus, addressing coastal erosion is vital to preventing the further loss of salt marshes. Sediment retention engineering and native vegetation restoration efforts can gradually facilitate the recovery of salt marshes. This study provided critical insights for sustainable coastal management under bidirectional pressures.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/17erosionsalt marshreclamationcoastlinecoastal squeezeJiangsu |
| spellingShingle | Guangzhi Zhang Jiali Gu Hao Hu Maoming Sun Jie Shao Weiliang Dong Liang Liang Jian Zeng Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands Journal of Marine Science and Engineering erosion salt marsh reclamation coastline coastal squeeze Jiangsu |
| title | Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands |
| title_full | Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands |
| title_fullStr | Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands |
| title_short | Impact of Coastal Squeeze Induced by Erosion and Land Reclamation on Salt Marsh Wetlands |
| title_sort | impact of coastal squeeze induced by erosion and land reclamation on salt marsh wetlands |
| topic | erosion salt marsh reclamation coastline coastal squeeze Jiangsu |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/13/1/17 |
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