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Coastal marshes more resilient to sea-level rise than previously believed


December 18, 2015

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Rising seas threaten coastal marshes worldwide. But a new Duke University study finds marshes are more resilient than previously believed. Elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide boost plant biomass production, allowing marshes to trap more sediment and generate more organic soil. This may elevate the threshold rate of relative sea-level rise at which marsh drowning is initiated by up to 60 percent and partially offset the effects of reduced sediment delivery and acceleraFull Story

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Duke University

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