Marsh Evolution and Sedimentation on the Whale Branch Portion of Port Royal Sound
This project in colaboration with the Lowcountry Council of Governments was funded by the Port Royal Foundation and intended to be Phase I in a multi-phase effort so that the results could be used in the future to expedite restoration goals. The Phase I project used a small marsh island on the Whale Branch creek to model processes that control marsh health and evolution in the larger Broad River/Port Royal Sound habitats. This historic island and the marshes surrounding it tell a larger story of the role that sediment accumulation, erosion, and sea level rise has in the marshes throughout the area. By studying the habitats and their history and relationship to marsh evolution and elevation trends (sedimentation) this phase I project has provided information for the development of restoration techniques tailored to the wide variety of marsh conditions found within the Port Royal Sound.
2003 NDVI values from the marsh island studied. Note the difference between the two sides of the now abandonded train tracks.