The Effects of Sea Level Rise on Tidal Wetlands in the Lynnhaven River Watershed
This study classified tidal wetlands for the Lynnhaven Watershed using remote sensing techniques and high resolution imagery from 2007. This updated delineation of wetlands, was used in conjunction with a simplistic geospatial elevation model to quantify the potential loss of wetlands under various sea level rise scenarios. The study revealed that using conservative estimates of sea level rise, nearly all wetlands would be lost by the year 2100. Projecting sea level rise into the future can be considered speculative, nevertheless such predictions are necessary to begin managing for and planning for climate change impacts. Evidence from this study suggests that upland infrastructure along portions of the watershed will also be at risk to sea level rise. This study documents where and how much potential loss of both wetlands and upland land area could be experienced given current and projected rates of sea level rise.
