Comparing historical losses of forested, scrub-shrub, and emergent tidal wetlands on the Oregon coast, USA

"This study evaluated historical extent (prior to European settlement), current extent, and losses for each of the three major tidal wetland types (emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested) on the Oregon coast. The first study of its kind on the Oregon coast, it produced results vital to conservation and restoration planning, since these wetland types are often targets for restoration and each type supplies unique ecosystem services. The study included the coast's 15 largest estuaries. Together, diking and vegetation conversion resulted in the loss of 95.0% of historical tidal forested wetlands and 95.9% of historical scrub-shrub tidal wetlands, compared to 58.9% of historical tidal marsh. This study highlights the urgency of protecting Oregon's remaining tidal forested wetlands, and restoring them where possible"--Executive summary., prepared by Laura S. Brophy ; prepared for Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (Portland, Oregon, USA), Pacific Marine and Estuarine Fish Habitat Partnership, Title from PDF caption (viewed on February 11, 2022), This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes, Includes bibliographical references (pages 24-31), Funded by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific Coast Fisheries Management NA14NMF4370120, Funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program F18AC00399, Mode of access: Internet from the State Library of Oregon Oregoniana Collection, Text in English
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This archived document is maintained by the State Library of Oregon as part of the Oregon Documents Depository Program. It is for informational purposes and may not be suitable for legal purposes.
Abstract/Description: "This study evaluated historical extent (prior to European settlement), current extent, and losses for each of the three major tidal wetland types (emergent, scrub-shrub, and forested) on the Oregon coast. The first study of its kind on the Oregon coast, it produced results vital to conservation and restoration planning, since these wetland types are often targets for restoration and each type supplies unique ecosystem services. The study included the coast's 15 largest estuaries. Together, diking and vegetation conversion resulted in the loss of 95.0% of historical tidal forested wetlands and 95.9% of historical scrub-shrub tidal wetlands, compared to 58.9% of historical tidal marsh. This study highlights the urgency of protecting Oregon's remaining tidal forested wetlands, and restoring them where possible"--Executive summary.
Subject(s): n-us-or
Forested wetlands -- Oregon -- Pacific Coast -- Evaluation
Salt marsh ecology -- Oregon -- Pacific Coast -- Evaluation
Estuarine ecology -- Oregon -- Pacific Coast -- Evaluation
Date Issued: December 2019