Evaluating the Long-Term Effectiveness of Marsh Terracing for Conservation with Integrated Geospatial and Wetland Simulation Modeling

Coastal marshes provide essential ecosystem services, yet they are vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors and climate change, particularly sea level rise (SLR). Restoration approaches like marsh terracing have emerged as nature-based strategies to enhance resilience and reduce habitat loss. This study applies the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) to assess the potential of marsh terraces to mitigate future losses, while also examining the model’s limitations, including its assumptions and capacity to reflect complex marsh processes. A geospatial approach was used to generate 3D representations of terraces through morphostatic modeling within digital elevation models (DEMs). Under a no-restoration scenario, SLAMM projections show that all marshes analyzed are at risk of total loss by 2100. In contrast, scenarios including terracing demonstrate a delay in net marsh loss, extending the persistence of key marsh habitats by approximately a decade. Although marsh degradation remains likely under high SLR conditions, the results underscore the utility of marsh terraces in prolonging habitat stability. Additionally, the study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating restoration features like terraces into DEMs and wetland models. Despite SLAMM’s simplified erosion and accretion assumptions, the model yields important insights into restoration effectiveness and long-term marsh dynamics, informing more adaptive, forward-looking coastal management strategies.