Coastal wetland elevation survey of Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama, 2016–2018
Dates
Publication Date
2023-01-13
Time Period
2016
Time Period
2018
Citation
Brunden, E., Underwood, W., and Arnold, K., 2023, Coastal wetland elevation survey of Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama, 2016–2018: U.S. Geological Survey data release, http://doi.org/10.5066/P9Q2592L.
Summary
This data release includes elevation data collected from 2016–2018 within coastal wetland habitats at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama, and at Ogburn Marsh within the reserve. A total of 771 points were surveyed for elevation via Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS.
Summary
This data release includes elevation data collected from 2016–2018 within coastal wetland habitats at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alabama, and at Ogburn Marsh within the reserve. A total of 771 points were surveyed for elevation via Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS.
Coastal wetlands provide valuable ecosystem services, including storm protection for inland areas, habitat for fish and wildlife, water quality enhancement, carbon sequestration, and recreation and tourism opportunities (Barbier and others, 2011). However, these wetland resources are under threats due to accelerated sea-level rise and rapid coastal development. Collecting accurate elevation data is important for monitoring low-relief coastal marsh habitats. This elevation survey of coastal wetlands was conducted at Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Among other potential applications, the elevation data were used along with other sources to validate a map of irregularly flooded wetland probability along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast developed by Enwright and others (2022).
