found in the marsh . Additionally , saltmarshes provide a haven for fish and invertebrates which use these areas as nurseries . The diamondback terrapin , raccoons , mink , and a variety of other animals call this ecosystem their home ( Sanger and Parker , 2016 ).
The Conservancy recently sponsored research by University of Oklahoma PhD candidate , Will Oakley , to study our wintering saltmarsh sparrows , which are threatened by the loss of habitat due to sea level rise ( Hartley and Weldon , 2020 ). The Conservancy also sponsored research by Lisa Vandiver with SCDNR to study mink populations on Kiawah Island , finding healthy populations existing within our saltmarshes in the early 2000 ’ s ( Vandiver , 2002 ). Beginning in January 2020 , the Kiawah Conservancy , and the College of Charleston , through Dr . Norm Levine at the Santee Cooper GIS Laboratory and Lowcountry Hazards Center , embarked on the Marsh Vulnerability Project to map the historical change in marsh vegetation , highlight current geological features , and catalogue human infrastructure ( e . g ., drainage outfalls , bulkheads , docks , bridges ). The primary goals of this study are to identify areas where we are experiencing losses of marsh vegetation and to better understand the health of marshland habitat . Results of this research are expected to be formally released in 2022 .
Information gained from the Marsh Vulnerability Project will inform future planning processes of the Kiawah Conservancy and Island stakeholders . This should result in actionable steps to bolster Kiawah ’ s resilience to natural hazards , ( i . e ., sea-level rise and flooding ) and reverse the unintended consequences of human actions . As a result of the projects , information can also be used to model , or better understand , future impacts caused by sea-level rise , flooding , and stormwater . In addition , previous studies on wildlife populations and environmental conditions provide us with insight into the changing nature of marshes and how to fuel conservation efforts .
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