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The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tully, K; Gedan, K; Epanchin-Niell, R; Strong, A; Bernhardt, ES; Bendor, T; Mitchell, M; Kominoski, J; Jordan, TE; Neubauer, SC; Weston, NB
Published in: BioScience
May 1, 2019

Saltwater intrusion is the leading edge of sea-level rise, preceding tidal inundation, but leaving its salty signature far inland. With climate change, saltwater is shifting landward into regions that previously have not experienced or adapted to salinity, leading to novel transitions in biogeochemistry, ecology, and human land uses. We explore these changes and their implications for climate adaptation in coastal ecosystems. Biogeochemical changes, including increases in ionic strength, sulfidation, and alkalinization, have cascading ecological consequences such as upland forest retreat, conversion of freshwater wetlands, nutrient mobilization, and declines in agricultural productivity. We explore the tradeoffs among land management decisions in response to these changes and how public policy should shape socioecological transitions in the coastal zone. Understanding transitions resulting from saltwater intrusion—and how to manage them—is vital for promoting coastal resilience.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

BioScience

DOI

EISSN

1525-3244

ISSN

0006-3568

Publication Date

May 1, 2019

Volume

69

Issue

5

Start / End Page

368 / 378

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences
 

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Tully, K., Gedan, K., Epanchin-Niell, R., Strong, A., Bernhardt, E. S., Bendor, T., … Weston, N. B. (2019). The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion. BioScience, 69(5), 368–378. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biz027
Tully, K., K. Gedan, R. Epanchin-Niell, A. Strong, E. S. Bernhardt, T. Bendor, M. Mitchell, et al. “The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion.” BioScience 69, no. 5 (May 1, 2019): 368–78. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biz027.
Tully K, Gedan K, Epanchin-Niell R, Strong A, Bernhardt ES, Bendor T, et al. The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion. BioScience. 2019 May 1;69(5):368–78.
Tully, K., et al. “The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion.” BioScience, vol. 69, no. 5, May 2019, pp. 368–78. Scopus, doi:10.1093/biosci/biz027.
Tully K, Gedan K, Epanchin-Niell R, Strong A, Bernhardt ES, Bendor T, Mitchell M, Kominoski J, Jordan TE, Neubauer SC, Weston NB. The invisible flood: The chemistry, ecology, and social implications of coastal saltwater intrusion. BioScience. 2019 May 1;69(5):368–378.
Journal cover image

Published In

BioScience

DOI

EISSN

1525-3244

ISSN

0006-3568

Publication Date

May 1, 2019

Volume

69

Issue

5

Start / End Page

368 / 378

Related Subject Headings

  • Ecology
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 06 Biological Sciences
  • 05 Environmental Sciences