Maddie McNerthney, 2023

Thesis:

Examining the impacts of beaver dam analogues and groundwater storage on Miners Creek, California

This project maps current saltmarsh habitat in Arcata Marsh, and models future distribution based on sea level rise and sediment supply scenarios. Saltmarsh habitat is a vital resource for coastal communities due to the ecosystem services it provides, and of additional concern in Arcata Marsh as it protects the city's wastewater treatment plant from tidal inundation. This study uses a UAV to assess current saltmarsh conditions and a landscape model to predict future saltmarsh habitat.