Shifting ecosystems and seabed characteristics in Willapa Bay
Sediment supply and sea level changes, both gradual from climate change and abrupt related to seismic activity and human impacts, significantly impact coastal ecosystems. In shallow estuarine embayments such as Willapa Bay, Washington, these changes can cause substantial and cascading effects with direct implications for local industries and ecosystem health.
Our study explores how the sedimentary habitats of Willapa Bay, Washington are likely to change in response to changing sea level and sediment supply, which respond to climate and environmental-driven changes.
How will this research benefit Cascadia coastal communities?
Local community members have told us that Willapa Bay is changing—and fast. They’re seeing more mud accumulate, shifts in grain size, and changes in ecosystems in the bay. More mud, along with expanding seagrass beds and burrowing shrimp populations, is making it harder to grow shellfish. To understand what’s driving these changes, we’re studying waves, currents, sediment, and benthos across different parts of the bay. Willapa Bay is a dynamic place where waves, tides, and storms constantly reshape the seabed. Our research explores how these natural forces move sediment and organic matter, and how those movements affect where mud accumulates and how these ecosystems change. These insights will help us anticipate how the bay might respond to climate change—and support the long-term health of its ecosystems and aquaculture.
