Restoring Coastal Resilience: Adaptive Salt Marsh Restoration Amidst Multiple Stressors

Coastal systems are increasingly strained by rising sea levels, intensified storm activity, and human interventions, pushing many to the brink of ecological collapse. This study focuses on the salt marsh on the southwest side of Stone Island, part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, which has been severely impacted by the closure of its natural sea opening for road construction. The new opening on the west side has disrupted sediment circulation, threatening marsh productivity and resilience. Preliminary research, including hyperspectral drone surveys, has been conducted to remotely assess the marsh's health. We will present these findings at the conference, along with proposed restoration strategies. These include re-establishing the original opening to improve sediment flow, constructing ridges and runnels to guide sediment to starved areas, and applying thin-layer deposition to counteract sea-level rise. Our work involves continuous current and water level monitoring across multiple tidal cycles, sediment grain size analysis, and marsh grass productivity assessments. We will also design and estimate costs for re-opening the inlet, assess necessary permits, and engage the community in a charrette to co-design the restored salt marsh. These efforts aim to enhance the marsh's ability to adapt to environmental stressors while preserving its ecological and human benefits.

Presentation Preference: Oral

Primary Presenter: Francesco Peri, University of Massachusetts Boston (francesco.peri@umb.edu)

Authors:

Francesco Peri, University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment  (francesco.peri@umb.edu)

Robert Chen, University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment  (bob.chen@umb.edu)

Mark Borrelli, University of Massachusetts Boston, School for the Environment  (mark.borrelli@umb.edu)