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Coastal Wetland Elevation Dynamics, Sedimentation, and Accommodation Space Across Timescales

  • Special Issue: Wetland Elevation Dynamics
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Abstract

The capacity of coastal wetlands to maintain their position within a tidal frame is a key indicator of resilience to climate change. A range of techniques can be used to assess this capacity, but few studies have focussed on describing wetland elevation dynamics across timescales. In this study, annual-scale wetland elevation dynamics within intertidal coastal wetlands located at different tidal positions in south-eastern Australia were quantified using both shallow and deep rod surface elevation tables and marker horizon (rSET-MH) techniques. This was supplemented by analyses of sediment accumulation rates across the decadal-centurial timescale using 210Pb dating techniques. The rSET-MH technique indicated slight variation in surface elevation change between sub-sites and processes contributing to surface elevation gain was a product of processes occurring over the full substrate volume. This included sediment (both mineral and organic) accretion on the surface and belowground substrate expansion in tidal positions where accommodation space and inundation frequency were higher (i.e. in the mangrove). 210Pb data provided the means to consider sedimentation and wetland elevation trends over decadal timescales over which relative sea-level rise has been operating. Sedimentation responded to localised accommodation space processes, exceeding sea-level trends lower in the tidal frame, but corresponded to rates of sea-level rise where accommodation space was increasingly limited (i.e. higher in the tidal frame). We demonstrate that anticipated sea-level rise will create new accommodation space for wetland vegetation and that where sea-level rise is not matched by an equivalent increase in surface elevation, coastal wetlands will either die, retreat landwards, or transition to lower tidal positions that support mangroves.

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the Jerrinja Tribal People and their country. We recognise their custodianship of Comerong Island and the Shoalhaven River for millennia when sea level was both higher and lower than its present level. This study was facilitated by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, who manage the Comerong Island estate. We also recognise the support of students and field technicians with the installation of the network of SETs and coring.

Funding

This study was funded by the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship provided to Rogers (FT130100532).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science, Economics and Insights Division, Department of Planning and Environment, Lidcombe 2141, New South Wales, Australia

    Kirti K. Lal

  2. School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong 2522, New South Wales, Australia

    Kirti K. Lal, Colin D. Woodroffe & Kerrylee Rogers

  3. Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Lucas Heights 2234, New South Wales, Australia

    Atun Zawadzki

Authors
  1. Kirti K. Lal
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  2. Colin D. Woodroffe
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  3. Atun Zawadzki
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kirti K. Lal.

Additional information

Communicated by Meagan Eagle

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Lal, K.K., Woodroffe, C.D., Zawadzki, A. et al. Coastal Wetland Elevation Dynamics, Sedimentation, and Accommodation Space Across Timescales. Estuaries and Coasts (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-023-01308-5

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