Surface Elevation Tables

Surface elevation increments of coastal wetlands using the surface elevation table (SET) – marker horizon (MH) method. Monitoring surface elevation change of coastal wetlands is important to understanding their vulnerability to sea level rise and the impacts of other environmental changes on their stability. Coastal wetlands can increase their soil volume over time through sedimentation and accumulation of organic matter, thereby “keeping pace” with sea level rise or they can subside, which can increase their vulnerability to sea level rise. The SET-MH method was developed by the United States Geological Survey. There are a global network of SET-MH users, which include multiple sites in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.

For surface elevation trends in mangroves and saltmarshes of Moreton Bay from 2007-2015, contact Catherine Lovelock (email).

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Image: C Lovelock