Season 2, Episode 4: ”Retreat or Rot”

Coastal wetlands are crucial ecosystems. They sequester significant amounts of carbon and provide a buffer against storms and erosion. Salt marshes, in particular, are known for their ability to retreat inland in response to rising sea levels. And yet, the presence of human infrastructure blocking their paths and the accelerating rate of change put this natural adaptation into question, posing the threat of marshes drowning and decomposing in place. In this season’s final episode, we hear how scientists are racing to better understand and predict the fate of these vital systems and consider how their survival could protect human communities . Carried by Water is created and hosted by Mario Soriano. It's a production of Blue Lab at Princeton University.  Copyright 2025 Mario Soriano and Blue Lab (bluelabmedia.org). All rights reserved.