A Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Bridgeport, Connecticut
This report assesses salt marsh advancement zones in Bridgeport, Connecticut using The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience Program. It maps sea-level rise and flooding impacts, highlights natural infrastructure benefits, and identifies priority areas to guide land use planning, reduce hazard risks, and strengthen long-term community resilience.
Subject Tags
- Climate resilience
- Coastal
- Conservation Planning
Introduction
This report presents a salt marsh advancement zone assessment for Bridgeport, Connecticut, developed through The Nature Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience Program, established in 2006. It provides decision-makers with locally relevant tools to evaluate sea-level rise and storm surge scenarios, analyze ecological, social, and economic impacts, and support risk reduction strategies. The report emphasizes the value of natural infrastructure, including wetlands, forests, dunes, and floodplains, in protecting communities from flooding and climate change. It highlights key ecosystem services such as wave attenuation, water storage, pollution reduction, erosion control, and improved community amenities. Focusing on the upslope migration of salt marsh due to rising sea levels, the analysis identifies current and future locations for marsh expansion and critical parcels for conservation. It supports planning, restoration, and policy efforts to enhance resilience and sustain natural resources in Bridgeport.
Suggested Citation
Ryan, A. and A. W. Whelchel. 2014. A Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Resilience Program. Publication Series #1-G, New Haven, Connecticut.