A Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Stonington, Connecticut
This report presents a salt marsh advancement assessment for Stonington Connecticut using The Nature Conservancy Coastal Resilience Program. It identifies areas where marsh migration may occur due to sea level rise and evaluates natural infrastructure to support risk reduction, land use planning, and community resilience.
Subject Tags
- Climate resilience
- Coastal
- Climate adaptation
Introduction
This report presents a salt marsh advancement assessment for Stonington Connecticut developed through The Nature Conservancy Coastal Resilience Program. Established in 2006, the program provides tools and locally relevant flooding scenarios to evaluate sea level rise and storm surge impacts. The study identifies where salt marsh habitats are likely to migrate inland in response to rising sea levels and changing coastal conditions. It examines current land use and highlights parcels that are critical for maintaining natural resources over time. The report emphasizes the value of natural infrastructure such as wetlands, dunes, and forested areas in reducing hazard risk, supporting biodiversity, and providing economic and social benefits. The findings help planners and communities integrate climate adaptation, land use planning, and resilience strategies to protect ecosystems and enhance long term community resilience.
Citation
Ryan, A. and A. W. Whelchel. 2014. A Salt Marsh Advancement Zone Assessment of Stonington, Connecticut. The Nature Conservancy, Coastal Resilience Program. Publication Series #1-T, New Haven, Connecticut.