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Extreme Weather Events Accelerating Tidal Wetland Loss
https://today.uconn.edu/2026/05/extreme-weather-events-accelerating-tidal-wetland-loss/May 19, 2026 | Anna Zarra Aldrich, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
This paper marks the very first time scientists have successfully linked tidal wetland loss to specific storm events
Tidal wetlands are critical, yet vulnerable ecosystems. Tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and tidal flats support biodiversity, protect against flooding and storm surges, sequester carbon, and improve water quality.
Due to human development and climate change, tidal wetland areas have been shrinking globally. A new study using 40 years of satellite data shows that this loss has been accelerating in the U.S. and that this acceleration is being increasingly driven by extreme weather events.
…
“By separating the abrupt changes (e.g., extreme weather events) and gradual changes (e.g., sea level rise), we are able to quantify their contribution to the tidal wetland loss,” Zhu says. “The total area loss is still dominated by sea level rise. But, if you’re looking at the acceleration of this loss, it’s actually dominated by extreme weather events (1.4 times that of the chronic stressors).”
Since 1985, the U.S. has lost more than 7.5%, or 1,600 square kilometers, of its tidal wetlands. This loss is accelerating by approximately 0.73 square kilometers per year.
…
Yang, X., Qiu, S., Kroeger, K.D. et al. The accelerating loss and shifting dynamics of US tidal wetlands. Nat Commun 17, 4332 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-71464-2
This paper marks the very first time scientists have successfully linked tidal wetland loss to specific storm events
Tidal wetlands are critical, yet vulnerable ecosystems. Tidal marshes, mangrove forests, and tidal flats support biodiversity, protect against flooding and storm surges, sequester carbon, and improve water quality.
Due to human development and climate change, tidal wetland areas have been shrinking globally. A new study using 40 years of satellite data shows that this loss has been accelerating in the U.S. and that this acceleration is being increasingly driven by extreme weather events.
…
“By separating the abrupt changes (e.g., extreme weather events) and gradual changes (e.g., sea level rise), we are able to quantify their contribution to the tidal wetland loss,” Zhu says. “The total area loss is still dominated by sea level rise. But, if you’re looking at the acceleration of this loss, it’s actually dominated by extreme weather events (1.4 times that of the chronic stressors).”
Since 1985, the U.S. has lost more than 7.5%, or 1,600 square kilometers, of its tidal wetlands. This loss is accelerating by approximately 0.73 square kilometers per year.
…