Center For The Inland Bays - Projects: Salt Marsh Dieback

Salt Marsh Dieback

Sudden Wetland Dieback
Sudden Wetland Dieback also called Brown Marsh Syndrome, is when vegetation dies suddenly or unexpectedly fails to grow across large areas of marsh. This phenomenon primarily affects Spartina alterniflora (Saltmarsh Cordgrass) but is also known to affect Spartina patens and Juncus species. Observations of Sudden Wetland Dieback have been reported in the past, but the widespread occurence on the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts of the United States within the past decade is alarming. Rapid death of marsh grass is cause for concern because these plants are the "glue" that holds the sediments and organics together. Without marshgrass, rapid erosion and marsh loss may occur. Saltmarshes are some of our most valuable coastal ecosystems: they provide us food, produce fish and shellfish, provide critical habitat, and protect us from storm surges. Click here to download the February 2007 white paper on SWD.

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