Graduation Date

Fall 2023

Document Type

Thesis

Program

Master of Science degree with a major in Natural Resources: option Environmental Science and Management

Committee Chair Name

Dr. James Graham

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Dr. Ho Yi Wan

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Dr. Patrick Biber

Third Committee Member Affiliation

Community Member or Outside Professional

Fourth Committee Member Name

Dr. Wei Wu

Fourth Committee Member Affiliation

Community Member or Outside Professional

Keywords

Humboldt Bay, Saltmarsh, Sea Level Rise, GIS, Modeling

Subject Categories

Environmental Science and Management

Abstract

Saltmarsh habitat is vulnerable to Sea Level Rise (SLR) and requires long-term management plans for communities to continue to benefit from their ecosystem services. This study analyzed the variation of above-ground vegetation biomass throughout I Street Marsh, using multiple variables, including classified vegetative community types, elevation and remote sensing indexes comprised of both visual (Red, Green, Blue) and non-visual (Red Edge, Near Infrared) bands. Plant community types were classified using a cluster analysis, and distinguished three communities, based on dominant species: Salicornia, Spartina, and a mixed type (diverse floristic makeup, with no dominant species). Above-ground biomass was significantly higher in Spartina communities. Above-ground biomass was modeled using simple linear regression and was most successful when used within vegetative communities; Salicornia was best predicted using Blue band, Spartina was best predicted with elevation, and mixed was best predicted using Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI). A saltmarsh platform elevation model was used to predict saltmarsh persistence under expected SLR scenarios, classified as Low (5.8-6.4 mm/yr), Medium (6.0-6.8 mm/yr) and High (6.2-8.5 mm/yr) coupled with various rates of total suspended solids (TSS) (0.006-0.016 g/m3). Scenarios that used current TSS (0.006 g/m3) found 61%, 59% and 53% persistence, under Low, Medium and High SLR scenarios, respectively. Scenarios under historical TSS (0.016 g/m3) found 71%, 70% and 67% persistence under Low, Medium and High SLR rates, respectively. Findings suggest that an increase in available sediment will reduce habitat loss, highlighting the importance sediment management decisions will play on saltmarsh resiliency throughout Humboldt Bay.

Citation Style

APA

Share

Thesis/Project Location

 
COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.