LiDAR-estimated Marsh Edge Morphology on the Coast of Virginia 2015

Retreat metrics were analyzed between 2002 and 2015, utilizing a LiDAR derived edge for the year 2015 from points of maximum slope and aerial imagery pre-2015. We examined this within the context of oyster reef restoration within the shallow coastal bays of Virginia, USA by comparing retreat and morphology quantified at paired reef-lined and control marsh edges at ten different marsh sites. A table of statistics summarizes analyses of the 10 sites. Additionally, specific locations of the sites and the estimated digitized shorelines from LiDAR, from which maximum slope derived edges and buffer areas were created for analysis, are provided in a geodatabase and as individual site shapefiles. Finally a document describing the details of the GIS analysis is provided.