Fisheries rely on threatened salt marshes
Ronald J. Baker, Matthew D. Taylor, Kenneth W. Able, Michael W. Beck, Just Cebrián, Denise D. Colombano, Rod M. Connolly, Carolyn A. Currin, Linda A. Deegan, Ilka C. Feller, Ben L. Gilby, Matthew E. Kimball, Thomas J. Minello, Lawrence P. Rozas, Charles A. Simenstad, R. Eugene Turner, Nathan J. Waltham, Michael P. Weinstein, Shelby L. Ziegler, Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Caitlin Alcott, Scott B. Alford, Myriam A. Barbeau, Sarah C. Crosby, Kate Dodds, Alyssa Frank, Janelle A. Goeke, Lucy A. Goodridge Gaines, Felicity E. Hardcastle, Christopher J. Henderson, W. Ryan James, Matthew D. Kenworthy, Justin S. Lesser, Debbrota Mallick, Charles W. Martin, Ashley E. McDonald, Catherine McLuckie, Blair H. Morrison, James A. Nelson, Gregory S. Norris, Jeff Ollerhead, James W. Pahl, Sarah Ramsden, Jennifer S. Rehage, J. Reinhardt, Ryan J. Rezek, L. Mark Risse, Joseph A. Smith, Eric Sparks, Lorie W. Staver
Abstract
Salt marsh ecosystems and the seascapes in which they are embedded serve as critical habitats for species harvested by fisheries (1), which provide food and economic security for hundreds of millions of people (2). Historical marsh losses coupled with increasing pressures from coastal development and climate change place these intertidal ecosystems and surrounding uplands under growing threat (3). Preventing further losses of salt marshes and associated fisheries production will require greater public awareness and difficult choices in coastal policy and management, underpinned by greater understanding of marsh function.