WETLANDS TRANSECTS: METHOD AND RESULTS 



To determine how an accelerated rise in sea level would affect the wetlands of Charleston, 

 one needs to know the portions of land at particular elevations and the plant species found at 

 those elevations. To characterize the study area, we randomly selected and analyzed twelve tran- 

 sects (sample cross sections, each running along a line extending from the upland to the water). 

 This section explains how the data from each transect were collected and analyzed, presents the 

 results from each transect, and shows how we created a composite transect based on those 

 results. 



Data Collection and Analysis 



For budgetary and logistical reasons, we had to use representative transects near, but not 

 necessarily within, the study area. For example, a limiting criterion was nearness to convenient 

 places where reliable elevations, or benchmarks, had already been established. The marshes be- 

 hind Kiawah Island and Isle of Palms are similar to the marshes behind Sullivans Island, but are 

 more accessible. As Figure 2-3 shows, all the transects were within 20 km (12 mi) of the study area. 



Each transect began at a benchmark located on high ground near a marsh's boundary, and 

 ended at a tidal creek or mud flat, or after covering 300 m (1,000 ft)— whichever came first. The 

 length of the transects was limited because of the difficulty of wading through very soft muds. 

 Although this procedure may have biased the sample somewhat, logistics prevented a more 

 rigorous survey. 



FIGURE 2-3 



LOCATIONS OF STUDY AREA'S TWELVE TRANSECTS 



SCALI 



130 1 2 3 , , 



1 g 3 , a — 



42 



