Coastal infrastructure in the US is increasingly at risk from rising sea levels that are rapidly enveloping the country’s wetlands, a study from the US Geological Survey has found.
Sea levels are rising faster than at any time in recent geologic history. A new national-level study has found that 84% of the US’s coastal wetlands are succumbing to the sea and are on track to become open water areas that offer little protection inland.
Wetlands dissipate the impact of storm surges, are often used to protect buildings and transportation networks in coastal towns and cities and are also key habitats for wildlife.
Globally, sea level rise averaged 1.7mm per year during the 20th century but has sped up in recent decades, hitting 3.8mm per year between 2006 and 2018. While higher water levels can stimulate the growth of wetland plants, a phenomenon that has helped many wetlands persist, there is a limit to how long this phenomena can be maintained.
The team found that 89% of coastal wetlands are...