Thin-Layer Sediment Augmentation on the Pacific Coast

The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex and its partners will implement a pilot project involving the application of a thin-layer of clean sediment over 10 acres of degraded cordgrass habitat on the Seal Beach NWR to improve habitat quality and the ecosystem services associated with healthy coastal salt marsh vegetation. As a pilot project, the sediment application process will be monitored to identify and document suitable application techniques. Pre- and five years post-application monitoring will be conducted for the project site and a control site to evaluate the overall effectiveness of this process as a sea level rise adaptation strategy, and analyses will be conducted on the project site to expand our understanding of carbon storage and carbon sequestration in Southern California coastal salt marsh habitats.