Effects of sea-level rise on barrier island groundwater system dynamics: ecohydrological implications

Ecohydrology
By: , and 

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Abstract

We used a numerical model to investigate how a barrier island groundwater system responds to increases of up to 60 cm in sea level. We found that a sea-level rise of 20 cm leads to substantial changes in the depth of the water table and the extent and depth of saltwater intrusion, which are key determinants in the establishment, distribution and succession of vegetation assemblages and habitat suitability in barrier islands ecosystems. In our simulations, increases in water-table height in areas with a shallow depth to water (or thin vadose zone) resulted in extensive groundwater inundation of land surface and a thinning of the underlying freshwater lens. We demonstrated the interdependence of the groundwater response to island morphology by evaluating changes at three sites. This interdependence can have a profound effect on ecosystem composition in these fragile coastal landscapes under long-term changing climatic conditions.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Effects of sea-level rise on barrier island groundwater system dynamics: ecohydrological implications
Series title Ecohydrology
DOI 10.1002/eco.1442
Volume 7
Issue 3
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, Massachusetts Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center
Description 8 p.
First page 1064
Last page 1071
Country United States
State Maryl;Virginia
Other Geospatial Assateague Island
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