This project aims to use the highest resolution data available to model salt marsh migration in thenational park services coastal lands in the northeastacadia national park acad assateague island…

This Cooperative Agreement award, provided by the Department of the Interior National Park Service under the Cooperative Research and Training Programs - Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) program, aims to use high-resolution data to model salt marsh migration in 9 National Park Service coastal lands in the Northeast region.

The $309,979.66 award, effective from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2027, will fund efforts to: 1) run the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) at 1-meter resolution for salt marsh areas in the 9 parks using the best available LIDAR, land cover, and tidal data; 2) map anthropogenic constraints to marsh migration using remote sensing and GIS; and 3) validate the models using field survey data and photointerpretation. The project will provide the National Park Service with higher-resolution salt marsh migration models that have been extensively quality-checked, as well as an analysis of anthropogenic constraints to marsh migration. This work will substantially improve the information available to guide efforts to facilitate salt marsh migration in these coastal park units. Additionally, the project will provide scientific training for at least one graduate student.

The award will be implemented by the University of Rhode Island, a public land-grant research university in Kingston, Rhode Island.

This project aims to use the highest resolution data available to model salt marsh migration in thenational park services coastal lands in the northeastacadia national park acad assateague island national seashore asis cape COD national seashore caco colonial national historical park colo fire island national seashore fiis gateway national recreation area gate george washington birthplace national monument gewa harriet tubman underground railroad national historical park hatu and boston harbor islands national recreation area boha. The models will use elevation data based on light detection and ranging lidar as well as the best land cover data available. We will incorporate anthropogenic constraints to migration in the models. Model results will be validated using fieldsurvey data and visual interpretation of highresolution imagery and lidar data. The specific objectives of the project include:where possible we will run slamm at 1 m resolution for salt marsh areas in the 9 parks using the best lidar land cover and local tidal data available use remote sensing and GIS to map anthropogenic constraints e.g. infrastructure park management zones parcel ownership etc. To marsh migration we will validate models using field survey data and photointerpretation of lidar and aerial imagery. The project would provide NPS with higher resolution salt marsh migration models than are currently available and these models will have been qualitychecked as extensively as possible. The elevation data used in this study will have greater accuracy than the datasets available for previous studies which will make migration simulations more reliable. In addition we would provide an analysis of anthropogenic constraints which would help identify where facilitating marsh migration is a realistic option. The project deliverables would substantially improve the information that NPS personnel have available for guiding efforts to facilitate salt marsh migration. In addition this project would provide scientific training for at least one graduate student.