01 Marsh elevation monitoring
Measure the marsh.
Understand the change.
Marsh elevation monitoring shows whether a coastal wetland is gaining, losing, or maintaining elevation over time. FCES uses SET–marker horizon methods to build a precise, repeatable record for long-term decisions.
20+ yearscoastal field science
Field to finaldesign, measurements & reporting
Repeatable measurements. Defensible data.
A fixed point in a moving marsh
Millimeters of change.
Years of insight.
A Surface Elevation Table is the precision instrument used within a broader marsh elevation monitoring program. It attaches to a stable benchmark beneath the wetland, creating the same measurement framework at every return visit.
What the record reveals
Marsh surface elevation change
The marsh surface moving up or down relative to the stable SET benchmark.
Vertical accretion
Sediment and organic matter accumulating above a paired feldspar marker horizon.
Shallow subsurface movement
The difference between accretion and elevation change helps distinguish shallow subsidence or expansion.
Methods align with established SET–marker horizon protocols. View the USGS / NPS protocol ↗
The FCES field-to-findings approach
One experienced partner.
Every critical step.
Monitoring design
Define objectives, station placement, replication, access, timing, and the data structure needed for a durable program.
Installation & control
Install and document benchmarks, SET stations, marker horizons, and reference control with careful attention to site conditions.
Repeat measurement
Return to fixed positions with consistent setup, field forms, timing, and quality checks that protect the long-term record.
Analysis & handoff
Turn field observations into QA-reviewed data, trend summaries, maps, graphics, and clear technical documentation.
Built for continuity
Deliverables that remain useful after the field day.
Every scope is shaped around the decisions your team needs to make and the monitoring record you need to protect.
Request a project scope ↗Installation record
Station diagrams, field photographs, access notes, coordinates, and benchmark documentation.
QA-reviewed datasets
Structured SET and marker horizon measurements with traceable field and quality-control records.
Change analysis
Elevation change, accretion, variability, and trend calculations presented at the right level for your program.
Maps & figures
GIS-ready station locations and clear graphics for reports, briefings, grants, and management discussions.
Technical summary
Methods, findings, limitations, and recommended next steps communicated in plain, defensible language.
Monitoring continuity
Field protocols and organized handoff materials that support consistent return visits over the life of the program.
Experience where it counts
Built on more than two decades in the field.
FCES brings deep experience from long-term coastal monitoring with the U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service—installing, measuring, restoring, and strengthening marsh elevation programs across demanding coastal environments.
“The goal is simple: produce a record that managers and scientists can trust on the next visit—and years from now.”
23+years of coastal science
8coastal parks supported
SE U.S.regional field experience
A practical fit for
Programs that need field confidence.
Agencies & coastal managers
Long-term monitoring, vulnerability assessment, and data that supports adaptive management.
Parks, reserves & nonprofits
Field capacity for protected areas, sentinel sites, and resource stewardship programs.
Restoration teams
Baseline, performance, and post-restoration monitoring tied to clear project objectives.
Research partners
Consistent data collection, legacy-station support, and methods built to withstand review.
Before we head to the field
Common marsh elevation questions.
How do SETs and marker horizons support marsh elevation monitoring?
The SET is the instrument, not the resource being monitored. It measures movement of the marsh surface relative to a stable benchmark. A paired marker horizon measures near-surface accretion. Together, they help separate surface gains from shallow subsurface processes.
Can FCES continue an existing monitoring network?
Yes. Existing stations, benchmarks, field records, and data structures can be reviewed before the next campaign. The goal is to preserve continuity while resolving documentation, station-condition, or workflow gaps.
What is needed to begin?
Start with your site, decisions, access constraints, monitoring history, and desired timeline. From there, FCES can recommend a practical scope, field sequence, and set of deliverables.
How often should marsh elevation be measured?
Frequency depends on the program objective, site dynamics, seasonality, and any existing protocol. FCES builds a repeat schedule around scientific comparability and realistic field access.
Your next field season starts here