Dissertation
Effects of climate and coastal flooding on tree growth in low-lying Mid-Atlantic forests
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001169
Abstract
Due to sea level rise, more frequent and longer duration floods are occurring in low-lying coastal forests of the Mid Atlantic. Increased flooding causes tree mortality followed by forest retreat. Previous efforts show that forest retreat is variable, however, especially in low-slope areas. Many factors likely drive this variability, so elucidating responsible mechanisms for retreat patterns, such as tree growth responses to flooding, will be important for implementing management tactics to achieve ecological goals, such as preventing forest loss. This dissertation uses tree ring analysis to study three species (Pinus taeda, Pinus rigida, and Ilex opaca) in Barnegat and Delaware Bays. Research focused on a) climate and water level relationships with tree growth; b) flood exposure and growth relative to water levels; and c) how climate change and rising sea levels might influence future growth patterns. Growth occasionally correlated with water level and climatic variables, but responses were site-specific. Counter to the expectation that tree growth inversely relates to high water levels, correlations were not always negative. Nonlinear responses to gradients in precipitation, temperature, as well as tidal water levels were also present. Future environmental conditions might benefit certain species (e.g., warmer winters for Pinus taeda), whereas others might be detrimental across sites (e.g., dryer springs). Growth responses to tidal water levels, either positive or negative, may be indicative of a transitioning system-showing that dendrochronological data are useful for determining coastal forest vulnerability to sea level rise. An improved understanding of the relative influence of climate and sea level rise on low-lying coastal forests will help resource managers make informed decisions on best tactics for sustaining these critical coastal habitats.
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Details
- Title
- Effects of climate and coastal flooding on tree growth in low-lying Mid-Atlantic forests
- Creators
- LeeAnn Rae Haaf
- Contributors
- Danielle Kreeger (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 188 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biodiversity, Earth, and Environmental Science (BEES); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991018527007204721