The Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Connecticut
This report presents a Connecticut-wide assessment of salt marsh advancement under sea-level rise scenarios. Using a model developed with the University of Connecticut, it identifies suitable upland areas for future marsh migration, evaluates land use impacts, and supports resilient coastal planning to protect natural infrastructure, communities and ecosystems.
Subject Tags
- Climate resilience
- Coastal
- Wetlands
Introduction
This report assesses salt marsh advancement across Connecticut’s coastal zone in response to projected sea-level rise and associated flooding impacts. Developed by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, the analysis uses a spatial model to identify upland areas suitable for future marsh migration based on land cover and hydrologic conditions. It distinguishes between suitable and unsuitable areas for marsh advancement and evaluates implications for land use, infrastructure, and ecological resilience. The findings highlight the importance of natural infrastructure—such as wetlands, dunes, and floodplains—in reducing coastal risk, supporting biodiversity, and delivering ecosystem services like flood attenuation and water filtration. The report provides communities, planners, and policymakers with actionable data to guide long-term conservation, restoration, and development strategies, ensuring the persistence of coastal habitats while improving resilience to climate change through the 2080s.
Citation
Ryan, A., & Whelchel, A. W. (2015). A Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Connecticut. The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Resilience Program. Publication Series, 1.